Should You Buy Fish at a Pet Store?

If you’re in the market for some new fish, there are three primary places you can get one: online, a “big box” chain pet store, or your friendly local aquarium store. There are advantages to each of these, but one options stands out above the rest. The best place to buy a fish, hands down, is from a store dedicated to fish, aquariums, and fish tank supplies.

Specialty Fish Stores Know Their Stuff

Your local aquarium store is dedicated to fish. The people who work there know all the particularities behind this unique brand of pet ownership. They’re a great help for first-time fish owners, as they know how to guide you to a perfect purchase. They’re also easy to interact with as an experienced fish owner.

By contrast, chain pet stores are often focused on cats and dogs, which makes sense for their bottom line, because these stores have a generalized focus and can reach the most customers by focusing on the most common types of pets. But for a fish owner, “big box” stores tend to come up short.

Buying in Person Is Safer for Your Tank and the Fish

You might be tempted to order fish online. But be aware there are some potential drawbacks to buying a fish without having seen it in person. You risk buying a fish that’s sick or dying or infected with a parasite that could spread through your tank. Most online dealers are reputable, but some may sell to you without verifying the fish is right for your aquarium. A common practice with online dealers is that they have their orders fulfilled by a big importer where the underpaid employees have little or no education pertaining to the fish they’re randomly pulling out of tanks for you.

There’s also some danger in shipping fish. To survive the journey, fish need to be properly packed with temperature control and supplied with extra oxygen. If you’re not buying locally, you’ll need to take the extra step of acclimating your new fish to the local water pH levels and dealing with ammonia burn. Remember, the number one cause of parasitic infestation and mortality is stress. It’s close to impossible to accurately control temperature when stuck in a baggage compartment at 37,000 feet!

You can avoid these issues by searching for a trustworthy dealer and verifying their reputation, but this takes a fair amount of time. That’s not to say you can’t have a good experience buying online. However, you’ll find that your local aquarium store has an element of trust you just can’t gain easily with an online retailer. Plus, you can see the fish you’re going to buy in person, which is a done deal at Aquatic Warehouse’s 10,000 square foot store.

The Right Equipment Seals the Deal

Your aquarium, pumps, and other equipment all play a significant role in maintaining the health of your pet fish. This is where your local fish store really shines.

As you might expect, a store dedicated to fish equipment will have higher-quality supplies available. The employees will know how to help you find the right tank for your living space and the right supplies for ensuring the happiness and health of your fish. Big chain pet stores often have an eclectic mix of low-quality and high-quality items. Inexperienced staff may not know the difference and guide you to purchasing equipment that doesn’t suit your needs.

From aquarium monitors and controllers to heaters and testing kits, you can find everything you need to maintain your aquarium and keep your fish healthy. You can also find a wide array of incredible fish to add to your tank. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa today, and one of our knowledgeable employees would be happy to help. If you have any questions, give us a call today at 858-467-9297.