reliable online sites to buy tropical fish?

nosniboris

Hi,

My partner has just started looking after tropical fish, and was wondering where is best to buy tropical fish? especially online.

thanks

SuperAllyB

Not sure about online but personally i have always done alright with Pets at Home

krlyr

I would find a specialist fish shop. The fish are going to be of much better quality and health than places like Pets At Home. You could try a fish forum for recommendations - http://www.tropicalfishforums.co.uk/

Notsosharp

I wouldn't ever buy fish from Pets at Home, every fish I have ever brought from there have died within three days!

Have you tried your local fish shop? My local one is excellent and any fish I have ever gotten from there have thrived.

Froglet

nosniboris wrote: »

Hi,

My partner has just started looking after tropical fish, and was wondering where is best to buy tropical fish? especially online.

thanks

Start here http://forum.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/

All the advice you will ever need on how to set up and which fish are best for the water conditions.

Buying online is fraught with difficulties.Going to a specialist aquatics shop is far better.

stsarina

I would never recommend Pets At Home, but you may have trouble shipping fish at this time of year. If there's a specific type you're looking for, your best bet is to get in touch with breeder groups on Facebook, or if it's generic types I've got nothing but praise for either Trimar (in Cornwall) and Kesgrave Tropicals. Always best to go to your local independent fish shop if you can though - the PFK site listed above has a shop directory on there and regularly review shops they visit.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

pets at home fish tend to come with pests attached to fish like hook worms, or have bacteria infections and the fish needs treating in quarantine tank before you can put it in the tank with others.


ive found small breeders on facebook on local community fishkeeping groups to be better quality fish last longer cheeper than pets at home and some aquatics stores as its a hobby to them not a business and the fish are kept like you or would keep them, nice healthy free from bacteria living in nice water conditions. all it costs you is fuel and time to collect locally and the cost of the fish.

SuperAllyB

Not surprised by others responses as I usually steer clear of big chains. Guess i've just been lucky with my local Pets at Home. We are fairly rural and have a choice of PaH or Dobbies within easy reach. I have always got on better with PaH, but admittedly I have probably lost more than i'd have liked.

Pollycat

I'd recommend visiting aquatic shops in your area.

We have a really good one about a 20 minute drive from home, They are excellent, staffed with people who are obviously keen fish-keepers themselves who will give advice about what fish go well with the ones you already have.
If your friend is a newbie, advice like that would be invaluable.

I don't think I'd ever buy fish online, I like to look at what I'm considering buying to see if the whole tank looks healthy.