What's the secret to finding saltwater fish - LFS selection is not great

[GuppyHJD]

Now that I have a list of fish I want to add to my tank and know I want to add some earlier in the sequence, I am trying to find them so I can get maybe 4-6 fish in my quarantine system. I have visited seven local stores (within 100 miles) and I am not finding much of a selection. Several of the fish on my stocking list are wrasses. So far I have only found two and they were not ones on my list.

Even if I try LiveAquaria and saltwaterfish.com, which I am hoping to avoid, many of the fish are out of stock.

SO...how to you recommend I source and purchase the fish I want for my tank?

 

[Miami Reef]

Now that I have a list of fish I want to add to my tank and know I want to add some earlier in the sequence, I am trying to find them so I can get maybe 4-6 fish in my quarantine system. I have visited seven local stores (within 100 miles) and I am not finding much of a selection. Several of the fish on my stocking list are wrasses. So far I have only found two and they were not ones on my list.

Even if I try LiveAquaria and saltwaterfish.com, which I am hoping to avoid, many of the fish are out of stock.

SO...how to you recommend I source and purchase the fish I want for my tank?

What fish are you looking for? Live Aquaria has an “email in stock notification” which works like a charm.

 

[guntercb]

I use to look live in Tampa. Have you tried Fish and other ICHTY stuff? I personally think the Tampa Bay area is a great place for reef stores. I am sure you know, but the pandemic is making it hard to get fish too.

Good luck!

 

[lion king]

Ask the lfs to special order what you want.

 

[GuppyHJD]

What fish are you looking for? Live Aquaria has an “email in stock notification” which works like a charm.

I have put my email into the Live Aquaria page, and have only received one email from them, although I put the request on 7 different fish.

 

[nereefpat]

Tampa has to have local fish stores. What about Ft Myers?

 

[GuppyHJD]

Tampa has to have local fish stores. What about Ft Myers?

I have visited four stores in Sarasota, six stores in Tampa, Two stores in Fort Myers,two stores in Cape Coral, two stores in Bradenton, one in Bonita Springs, three near Orlando, two in Ft.Lauderdale, one in Jacksonville....and looking for more.

 

[sunken3]

what are the fish? there are a lot of vendors online if you cant get your LFS to help. NYaquatic is one i have used a few times... with good results. there are so many... but yes shop around.. some vendors are better than others... and pricing of course is very important. the same fish could be $30, $130, $1300... depending where you look.. (which of course makes no sense).

 

[MONTANTK]

Special order is the best way. Odds are what you’re looking for isn’t super popular. Stores tend to only stock the super popular stuff with the occasional odd ball

 

[ScottyD36]

Now that I have a list of fish I want to add to my tank and know I want to add some earlier in the sequence, I am trying to find them so I can get maybe 4-6 fish in my quarantine system. I have visited seven local stores (within 100 miles) and I am not finding much of a selection. Several of the fish on my stocking list are wrasses. So far I have only found two and they were not ones on my list.

Even if I try LiveAquaria and saltwaterfish.com, which I am hoping to avoid, many of the fish are out of stock.

SO...how to you recommend I source and purchase the fish I want for my tank?

I use Bluezoo

Now that I have a list of fish I want to add to my tank and know I want to add some earlier in the sequence, I am trying to find them so I can get maybe 4-6 fish in my quarantine system. I have visited seven local stores (within 100 miles) and I am not finding much of a selection. Several of the fish on my stocking list are wrasses. So far I have only found two and they were not ones on my list.

Even if I try LiveAquaria and saltwaterfish.com, which I am hoping to avoid, many of the fish are out of stock.

SO...how to you recommend I source and purchase the fish I want for my tank?

I had a similar problem as many of the stores near me all had same selection. I found Blue Zoo Aquatics and they have a great selection and every fish I get from them is healthy. They are my main place to go for everything.