The ins and outs of online fish ordering...

[Psyduck]

Ok I'm thinking of venturing into the world of online fish ordering. After my disease outbreak which left me with 3 fish, I have let things settle down and am ready to restock. Problem is I dont want to add too fast of course, but with ordering fish online you kinda have to buy enough to make it worth while dont you? The reason I'm doing this opposed to the LFS is that my LFS around here seem to be REALLY high in prices as of late. Even Tropicorium I visited this weekend seemed just too high compared to what I have seen other places that are not local (Harbor Aquatics for instance). I guess my questions are as follows:

1. Good places to go for quality and shipping prices. I know some places give you "free" shipping if you get so much. Ive looked at www.liveaquaria.com and www.saltwaterfish.com and both seem to have the fish I am interested in.

2. Perhaps I should tell you the fish I'm looking for. I would REALLY like a pair (or potential pair) of true perculas. I know these places charge an extra 100% for a "pair" compared to 2 "individuals". Also tank raised dottybacks and other smaller fish I would also be interested in. Perhaps this would help people to direct me.

3. Do people usually combine their order with others to cut down on the shipping? I was thinking of asking a friend if he was interested in some fish, and like I said I don't want to dump 5 new fish into my tank at once.

4. Is this a good way to go?

Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[Sylock]

Psy,
I've never been to Tropicorium before, or even Harbor Aquatics. There are a few places that I frequent and each sells some fish high and some fish low. If it was a couple months down the line I would go in with you on an order, but I've still got a little time before I start stocking my new 75 (that comes in today).

[Hommeworks]

I think this can get a little dicey. When I see a fish at my LFS, I like to know that he's been around for awhile, like 3 weeks minimally. They say that if a fish has a health issue the end result could take upto 2 weeks. I run the risk of someone buying out from under me, but it beats the possiblity desease. Also, you can see the animal you are getting. Marking, colors, and vividness of color can't be observed when you mail order.

My 2nd advice is that you understand a little about the fish you buy. Like when I bought my yellow tangs, I got three at once. This way they did their territorial thing amongst themselves and left the other fish alone. Some fish have to be bought in small schools of odd numbers 3, 5...

[aquaticsdeptleader]

have you ever checked ffexpress dont know if there any good but supposedly they have ocean cultured/tank raised fish things like convict tanks they also carry alot of walt smith stuff but being new to the hubby i dont know if this is a good or bad thing.

[pojohnny]

2. Perhaps I should tell you the fish I'm looking for. I would REALLY like a pair (or potential pair) of true perculas. I know these places charge an extra 100% for a "pair" compared to 2 "individuals". Also tank raised dottybacks and other smaller fish I would also be interested in. Perhaps this would help people to direct me.

Greetings and Salutations Psyduck,
I've had good online shopping experiences ordering from MarineDepot and Premium Aquatics. I can't remember which one I used to order my pair of Clarkii's. But I remember that I just ordered two small (and it's important to get small juveniles) single fish. As they matured and grew, they eventually paired up and the most aggresive one became the female. She's now about twice as big as the male. When they were both new in the tank, I figured she would end up 'being the girl' because she was the first to claim my sabea anemone and would chase off the other one whenever he came near. I ordered them maybe last year (ack! I should really start keeping a Tank Journal.) and two weeks ago I saw where they'd spawned.

HTH,
po

[Psyduck]

Well there are a few reasons I am getting fed up with LFS, one being prices. I usually frequent Pet Connection and that is where I got my whitecheek tang who came down with disease and wiped out most of my tank, so I am a bit hesitant on going back. I had never had a disease problem before then so I was a bit peeved . I do know of a good place in Lansing, Prusses House of Pets I think is the name, who does quarantine their fish before selling and everything, but that isn't a very close trip for me. I know you cant see the fish, but I thought I would give this a try and get exactly what I want.

pojohnny: I thought that too about getting 2 small ones, just get them and assume they will pair off as they get older and one would become the female of the group. Honestly I'm not actively trying to spawn them (but it would be cool), so even if they don't pair off it would be ok with me. Thanks for the tip though!

[Mrs Smith]

There is an active group of reefers in my area who do big order pools at the MO places. I'd definitely recommend someplace that offers an arrive-alive, stay alive for a few days guarantee. We're actually planning an order at LiveAquaria next week, and I think it will go well. We have also ordered from FFE many times, and everything was fine. (They have an order pool program in place- might be an option for you.)

You also don't have to order just fish - a large proportion of our orders are generally corals and other inverts.

HTH,
Danielle

[Sylock]

I'd be interested in doing an order pool in the future.

[Psyduck]

Hey Sylock, how long is the "future" from now?

[Etech]

Try greenwoods on at joy and middlebelt they quarantine thier fish for a couple of weeks before they will sell them . decent prices to but not alot of coral .. Hey count me in for future online pool purchases later on ..

[Psyduck]

Hmmm never heard (or been) to Greenwoods. I'll have to check them out. Thanks!

[Minnreefer]

Brooke and I have ordered from http://www.themarinecenter.com/ before with very good luck.

HTH

Jon