As we all know, going to a local fish store as opposed to a Petco or PetSmart can make a huge difference. What exactly is the difference and is it worth it?
Pricing:
This is a toss up as to which is better. I have seen great prices at both local fish stores and franchise pet stores. I have also seen terrible prices at each as well. It’s hard to tell if you are paying the right price, especially if you are new to the hobby. In my opinion, it is worth paying a little more for a better looking fish, one that is full of color and disease free. A mom and pop shop would price their fish differently than a Petco would. Fish death hurts the local fish stores much more than a Petco, so that is taken into consideration when pricing their livestock. Unfortunately, It’s common to lose some fish when transporting them from wholesalers. Local fish stores also search for the best wholesale price they can get to stay competitive. Franchise stores generally have less of a choice where everything comes from because corporate makes those decisions. Sometimes you will see the same species of fish look completely different when properly cared for. If you want a ballpark price of a fish, you can look online and see what online stores are selling them for. Online shopping has its own pros and cons just like LFS and Franchise stores.
Information:
This is the category where local fish stores shine. In general, local fish store are run by true fish enthusiasts. They know a lot more about aquarium setups and fish health than any franchise employee typically would. They have more experience because they are the ones setting up the tanks, and buying the products. This also means more experience with aquarium products and various foods. A mom and pop shop is the place to go if you have a difficult aquarium question you need answered. I always see beginner hobbyists asking Petco employees advanced questions. The answers are usually incorrect, and always cringworthy. It’s not impossible to get great advice at a franchise , it’s just less likely. You can always call a local store or maintenance company to ask a question about a fish you saw, or an aquarium related problem. It’s always better to go with the advice of a seasoned professional than a franchise employee.
Come Back next week! We’ll be discussing some other differences, like the health of the fish, and the selection of the stores!
