Hi everyone,
I just wanted to clarify a few things about buying fish online and get some help or suggestions if possible. I've never bought a live animal online before, so I'm a bit concerned about the safety of the fish and the risk of it being diseased or ill, which would make getting a refund tricky. My family thinks I'm crazy for even considering it, but I'm fed up with paying over three times what I should at my local fish store.
That being said, I'm looking for some advice and suggestions from people who have experience with buying fish online.
I've got a couple of questions: have any of you ever received fish that were visibly ill, like with ich? If so, what did you do about it? I'm wondering if the DOA policies apply to serious visible illnesses.
Also, can anyone recommend online stores that ship to Australia with a wide range of fish and reasonable prices? I've been looking at Coburg Aquarium, but they've been out of stock of the fish I want for ages. If anyone has experience with them, I'd love to hear about it.
Sorry if this post seems weird or annoying, I'm just a newbie looking for some tips.
Thanks in advance!
Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I'm a total newbie when it comes to buying fish online, I've been lucky enough to get most of mine for free from friends, except for two that I did have to purchase. I'm not really in a position to give advice on who to order from, but I can suggest that if you do decide to take the plunge, make sure to quarantine your new arrivals if you have a tank available. This way, if they do happen to get sick, you might be able to get a refund depending on the seller's policies.
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I've had one online fish order experience. The UK-based company I chose had a good reputation. October was when I placed the order, during a cold snap, and they actually phoned me to postpone delivery due to the cold temps - which made sense to me. I'd ordered for myself and a friend - 6 juvenile Sawbwa rasbora, 4 Koi Swordtails, and a couple of corys. Luckily, all the fish arrived alive. However, the rasboras were tiny and I started losing them every other day in the quarantine tank. Thankfully, their refund policy covered up to a week, so I got my money back. In the end, I lost 5 out of 6 rasboras. From what I've learned, I think it was due to stress and the fish being too young for travel. I've got a pic of a shrunken stomach, which backs this up. For me, it's clear - avoid ordering juvenile fish and bad weather. Hopefully, you'll have a smoother first experience than I did.
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I'm from a remote part of Canada where the local fish store takes advantage of us by overcharging. I'm fortunate to have better resources so I don't have to buy online like many of my fellow aquarists.
Ordering during temperature extremes is a recipe for disaster. The quality of fish from online sellers is often subpar, sourced from farms that also supply local stores. So, you're not really getting a better deal.
When you buy online, you're buying sight unseen, which means you can't always be sure you're getting the healthiest fish. For common fish, I wouldn't recommend buying online. Local aquarists have shared their horror stories with me - columnaris outbreaks, ich, and other diseases they might have spotted in a physical store.
However, there's an exception - specialty dealers who sell rare fish. These dealers rely on their reputation and know that the community of aquarists interested in these fish is small and tight-knit. They take great care in selecting and packing their fish.
Bargain sellers, on the other hand, should be approached with caution. Shipping costs are also a significant factor. I know a seller in the next province who can get me six Corydoras I've been eyeing for $50. Locally, if I could even find them, they'd cost me $25 each. If I were to order 10, the total would be $220 with shipping - ouch. And with shipping, you can expect 10 to 20 percent of the fish to arrive dead. That's a risk I'm not willing to take.
Ordering during temperature extremes is a recipe for disaster. The quality of fish from online sellers is often subpar, sourced from farms that also supply local stores. So, you're not really getting a better deal.
When you buy online, you're buying sight unseen, which means you can't always be sure you're getting the healthiest fish. For common fish, I wouldn't recommend buying online. Local aquarists have shared their horror stories with me - columnaris outbreaks, ich, and other diseases they might have spotted in a physical store.
However, there's an exception - specialty dealers who sell rare fish. These dealers rely on their reputation and know that the community of aquarists interested in these fish is small and tight-knit. They take great care in selecting and packing their fish.
Bargain sellers, on the other hand, should be approached with caution. Shipping costs are also a significant factor. I know a seller in the next province who can get me six Corydoras I've been eyeing for $50. Locally, if I could even find them, they'd cost me $25 each. If I were to order 10, the total would be $220 with shipping - ouch. And with shipping, you can expect 10 to 20 percent of the fish to arrive dead. That's a risk I'm not willing to take.
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bettaMagenta - Posts: 418
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2022 2:01 am
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I've had to rely on mail order for most of my aquarium needs, given the limited options in my area. Thankfully, advancements in shipping technology have made it possible to safely transport fish across long distances, regardless of the weather. With the use of hot packs, cool packs, and thermal insulated boxes, many premium sellers have been able to minimize the risks associated with shipping live animals.
I'm not familiar with the Australian market, but I'm sure there are some reputable sellers in your region. You may want to reach out to local aquarium enthusiasts for recommendations on trustworthy dealers.
One of my main concerns when buying from online sellers is the lack of control over the shipping process. Some dealers have a tendency to charge your card immediately, only to delay shipping for weeks. Additionally, you often can't choose the specific fish you want, and you may end up with the last one in stock - which may not be the best quality.
Regarding your concerns about illness, I believe that most reputable sellers would not intentionally sell sick fish. However, even healthy fish can be stressed during shipping and may arrive in a weakened state. That's why I always recommend keeping a quarantine tank on hand.
Another factor to consider is the source of the fish. Aquarium-raised fish tend to be of higher quality than those from large farms. A good seller should be able to provide you with information on the source of their fish, including whether they're wild-caught, aquarium-bred, or farm-raised. If this information is not provided, it's likely that the fish are farm-raised.
I'm not familiar with the Australian market, but I'm sure there are some reputable sellers in your region. You may want to reach out to local aquarium enthusiasts for recommendations on trustworthy dealers.
One of my main concerns when buying from online sellers is the lack of control over the shipping process. Some dealers have a tendency to charge your card immediately, only to delay shipping for weeks. Additionally, you often can't choose the specific fish you want, and you may end up with the last one in stock - which may not be the best quality.
Regarding your concerns about illness, I believe that most reputable sellers would not intentionally sell sick fish. However, even healthy fish can be stressed during shipping and may arrive in a weakened state. That's why I always recommend keeping a quarantine tank on hand.
Another factor to consider is the source of the fish. Aquarium-raised fish tend to be of higher quality than those from large farms. A good seller should be able to provide you with information on the source of their fish, including whether they're wild-caught, aquarium-bred, or farm-raised. If this information is not provided, it's likely that the fish are farm-raised.
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I'm inclined to agree with graye and your family - I'd advise against buying fish online. It's likely to end up being more trouble than it's worth, with potential losses and health issues. My own experience with online fish purchases has been limited to a single instance, where I bought a hard-to-find cichlid species from a reputable seller. The fish arrived in excellent condition, despite being delayed in transit. However, I'd still recommend buying from a local store if possible, even if it means paying a premium. It's just not worth the risk and potential hassle.julia wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2025 11:00 am Hi everyone,
I just wanted to clarify a few things about buying fish online and get some help or suggestions if possible. I've never bought a live animal online before, so I'm a bit concerned about the safety of the fish and the risk of it being diseased or ill, which would make getting a refund tricky. My family thinks I'm crazy for even considering it, but I'm fed up with paying over three times what I should at my local fish store.
That being said, I'm looking for some advice and suggestions from people who have experience with buying fish online.
I've got a couple of questions: have any of you ever received fish that were visibly ill, like with ich? If so, what did you do about it? I'm wondering if the DOA policies apply to serious visible illnesses.
Also, can anyone recommend online stores that ship to Australia with a wide range of fish and reasonable prices? I've been looking at Coburg Aquarium, but they've been out of stock of the fish I want for ages. If anyone has experience with them, I'd love to hear about it.
Sorry if this post seems weird or annoying, I'm just a newbie looking for some tips.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Buying fish online vs in-store: which is best for you
I've had my fair share of experience selling live fish online, mainly livebearers and killies that I bred myself. I was confident in the health of my fish, and they generally arrived at their destination in good condition. However, the Canadian postal system can be quite slow compared to the US. The main reason I stopped selling online was the rising costs - my last ten shipments had shipping costs that were roughly double the cost of the fish themselves.
I did have some issues with fish deaths during shipping, but this was relatively rare - around 10 percent of the time. This was usually due to damaged boxes, which could be caused by anything from rough handling to being crushed by heavy objects.
I also had some issues with trading with other breeders, including one instance where I received fish with a Camallanus infestation. However, the home-bred fish I received were generally of very high quality.
I've found that airport-to-airport shipping can be a good option, as it's often more affordable. However, this requires me to spend around 8 hours in the car to pick up the fish, so it's not always practical. When I do have the opportunity to order fish this way, I try to take advantage of it - especially for specialty fish that are more expensive but well worth it. For example, I've had good experiences with a company that single-packs all their Corydoras, which shows that they're willing to take the extra step to ensure their fish arrive safely. Unfortunately, not all companies are as careful with their shipping, and some will charge the same prices for shipping without taking the same precautions.
I did have some issues with fish deaths during shipping, but this was relatively rare - around 10 percent of the time. This was usually due to damaged boxes, which could be caused by anything from rough handling to being crushed by heavy objects.
I also had some issues with trading with other breeders, including one instance where I received fish with a Camallanus infestation. However, the home-bred fish I received were generally of very high quality.
I've found that airport-to-airport shipping can be a good option, as it's often more affordable. However, this requires me to spend around 8 hours in the car to pick up the fish, so it's not always practical. When I do have the opportunity to order fish this way, I try to take advantage of it - especially for specialty fish that are more expensive but well worth it. For example, I've had good experiences with a company that single-packs all their Corydoras, which shows that they're willing to take the extra step to ensure their fish arrive safely. Unfortunately, not all companies are as careful with their shipping, and some will charge the same prices for shipping without taking the same precautions.