How much does our hobby need local fish stores?

[PharmrJohn]

I'm of the opinion that the LFS is essential. It is where I'm planning on getting a good number of corals. Fish, I'll buy quarantined but I like to rest my eyes on corals before purchasing. There are exceptions to this rule, but the vendor should come recommended.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

I voted very important. I had an unbelievably good LFS who specialized in coral. Don’t live nearby anymore but learned so much that I can function on my own. But for those who are stuck with second and third rate LFS, that’s another matter. Unlike others, I found, and am now finding in my area, little to no difference with online prices, and local stores are dramatically less expensive for livestock when you consider shipping. I make every effort to buy local when I can but sometimes the online selection is hard to beat.

 

[Uncle99]

To me, in terms of mainly live stuff, essential.
I want to “see” before I buy.
Not get just what came in the bag.

 

[JumboShrimp]

@fish_collector mentions visiting an LFS with "a tank full of Chromis with uronema that we poke fun at..." PRICELESS! Lol!

 

[FEJ]

To me, LFS are essential but it really depends upon where you live, what you wish to buy, and what available options are open to you.

For me, living on a small island in the southern Philippines, buying live stock by mail is not possible. The only two options are buying from a LFS or paying a native Bajau diver to collect fish for me from around the local shores.

The first option is limited to two LFS some 3 1/2 hours away (on a good day, mid-week) by car and ferry. Both shops sell fish caught for them by Bajau divers. One shop owner claims he quarantines and medicates the fish before selling, the other doesn't...as I have found out to my cost. Wipeout by velvet is a b***h. Obviously, there is quite a difference in price between the two shops. I am debating which shop I shall favour in future given that I shall never buy any livestock again without quarantining and medicating for myself.

The second option is incredibly cheap but means it's pot luck what is caught for you and the condition of the fish is open to question.

Regarding dry goods, what is on offer at the two shops is limited but I buy from them what I can to support their trade. Otherwise, I shop on Lazada, Shopee, and Amazon dependent upon my needs.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I am lucky to be in an area with multiple saltwater only LFS and a new one opening next week. Unfortunately some much better then others. Two I will not shop at. The hobby is strong though and lots of garage operations also. Without the reputable brick and mortar I am not sure the hobby would survive. But $390 for a Morish idol that is "eating, but wont eat right now" is not a good shop practice

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is one bonus of an LFS I just thought of. Not having to pay for shipping. No hate towards shipping fees, I get why businesses have to do it to ensure livestock gets to its location in a timely manner, but when I need just one urchin. I'd rather go to my LFS and pay a couple of bucks for an urchin than buy an urchin online on top of the shipping price.

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

Our emerging K shaped economy (and return to feudalism) means the LFS business will bifurcate just like every other consumer facing industry. Most of us will have less and less discretionary funds over time as the cost of living continues to rise, so it's silly trying to sell $500 tangs and dusty $1000 skimmers. There will be a demand for local goods and livestock at the lowest possible prices to serve that market segment.

However, the top 1% wealth class will continue to capture increasingly larger quantities of capital, so they will want a full service completely hands off experience. $300 booger frags are no problem, but they don't want to even think about learning how to program a controller or tune a skimmer. Competition for these customers will be fierce since the margins are good.

 

[VintageReefer]

Maybe not a popular opinion, but I said none.

I have bought very little from LFSes, and the information I've received has mostly been rubbish at best.

If one has a GOOD LFS with knowledgable staff, right on, you're winning. But do we need them, absolutely not... and I would argue a large number of people on this site don't have access to one within a 2 hour drive of their house.

Couldn’t have said it better. Maybe some depend on them. I’m sure there are good ones out there. But after living in multiple states and shopping at many, I find no use for them. The advice is generally terrible. The coral is either mid grade and ridiculous overpriced, or unhealthy. I have a LFS 2 minutes from my house, they have been in business for over a decade. I’ve gone there probably 5 times at most. When I see common zoanthids for 100$, dragon soul torches for 175, and regular green torches for $100, I’ve seen enough. Or dying acantho’s and elegance, corals with tissue receeding…then when I ask about them I’m assured “they’re fine” yikes. No thank you

I can get better stuff, cheaper, delivered to my door overnight or 2 day most of the time. P

I’m sure they have a purpose for many, but is it essential for the hobby…my vote is no.

 

[DSC reef]

I voted essential. Its great to develop relationships with stores in my opinion. I cant tell you how many times a LFS saved my butt by having a PVC part or pump that failed at 11pm. Lol. Ive met great people at LFS meets too. I think its special when you can bring friends and children to these stores and they get to see fish and coral that sparks interest for new reefers.

 

[Quietman]

The pet shop is a relic of the past, maybe supplying one thing the internet doesn’t: nostalgia. The aromas, sounds, and conversations of local get togethers that are no longer part of our lives can still be found here.

With supplies available online, local fish stores aren’t essential. Even their expertise is no longer needed when the internet can supply the same information.

The hobby will live on without them.

Very well put.

That could be why I'm on the "not very important" end of the spectrum here. One of the very few times I haven't been with the majority on voting.

I got into the hobby just over 6 years ago when everything was available to start a reef tank from tanks to fish and everything in between and expertise was available without visiting a store or joining a club. And likely better information if I'm choosing sources carefully.

And the prices and choices really aren't that great from what I've seen anyway.

So as I reefer without nostalgia, I have no use to go to LFS or join a club for that matter. Being an introvert helps as I also have no social need for that either.

 

[56longroof]

Maybe not a popular opinion, but I said none.

I have bought very little from LFSes, and the information I've received has mostly been rubbish at best.

If one has a GOOD LFS with knowledgable staff, right on, you're winning. But do we need them, absolutely not... and I would argue a large number of people on this site don't have access to one within a 2 hour drive of their house.

This has been my experience for the most part. But I did vote essential because if you are lucky enough to have a lfs that is knowledgeable and cares about your success in the hobby that's a priceless opportunity.

 

[Paul B]

In the over 50 years that I have a reef tank, I have only bought 3 fish on line and that was during Covid. I really like to see the thing I am buying.

And it's vastly cheaper in a store because you don't have to pay shipping.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I guess we are just very spoiled in the Orlando, FL area. A good problem to have️

Top Shelf Aquatics
World Wide Corals
Living Reef Orlando

Aquatic Reef Design (Ocala, FL)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I guess we are just very spoiled in the Orlando, FL area. A good problem to have️

Top Shelf Aquatics
World Wide Corals
Living Reef Orlando

Aquatic Reef Design (Ocala, Fl)

Too many good options!

 

[WAHLTONSAUS]

My son and I had a horrible "first time experience" at World Wide Corals. We looked so forward to the trip, and had a small shopping list of things i wanted to find, and bring home, and we didnt leave with ONE. We were visually stunned at first, and you see tons of live rock and specimens and then you find out aht NONE of the liverock is for sale. the only rock for sale is dry rock, prefabricated rock. that was OUTRAGEOUS how expsneive that was. they wanted $50 for a prefabed dry rock peice. I just wanted ONE nice peice of rock for my new established reef tank ( 2 months cycled with live sand and some hermits, and ready for some rock and inverts). I wanted to get a Coral banded shrimp (my sons pick) , some chaetomorpha, and and urchin. There were like 8 employees there, most all just behind a counter not being too busy, and no one could help us. When i went up to ask for help, the man was quite rude to me and my son, didnt help us at all. we just left. We had better service and help at Petco, and thats where he wants to go to today lol. Idk if that was a localized event or if others have had such dismissive and bad service there.

 

[JumboShrimp]

No, I have never felt treated that way there. But if you are willing to give another 'premium' store a try, the service at Top Shelf Aquatics is great. They do have at least vats of 'wet' rock to choose from. But if you're looking for rock at $1.00 per pound, you really need someone's Facebook Markstplace tank break-down. Otherwise... at many LFSs you're looking at a King's Ransom.