I went to my LFS today looking to buy a Hippo Tang and Yellow Eye Kole tang for my 125G. To my surprise the prices were $45.00 for the Kole and $90.00 for the Hippo. These prices seemed kind of high to me so I checked out some fish on saltwaterfish.com and liveaquaria.com and found their prices were pretty close to what they sell for in the Raleigh area. When I asked the guy at my LFS about the high prices he said it was because of shipping costs.
I also checked out a site I found a couple of weeks ago called MarinesGarden.com and was wondering if anyone has ever ordered from them before. I tried to log in tonight, but I was able to connect. Maybe their changing the prices as I write this post
I just cruised the site you linked to. I know nothing about them, unfortunately. High prices are here to stay partly due to higher shipping costs. Remember, the LFS owners have higher costs of doing business. They are paying $4 a gallon for gas just like you and me. So, we can expect to pay higher prices for everything including food. The high gas prices effect everry area of our life.
If you asked me which of the on-line outlets you mentioned above I'd do business with, I'd answer Liveaquaria.com. I've done business with both and had good experiences with one and bad with the other. I'd also advise you to support your LFS because you can see the specimen you are getting. Ask to see it eat. Observe it's behavior and ask them to hold it for 24/48 hours, then go back, observe it again and ask to see it feed again. This may seem a bit overbearing but it's your money the LFS wants, you have the right to check livestock out thoroughly. Remember, living things die. these living things have been through he!! getting caught, shipped, held, shipped again and not being fed the whole time.
Trust my wisdom on this! I've been in this hobby and business for 61 years.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Wow, 20 to 30 is pretty cheap. I saw them in a Ft Pierce LFS a few days ago. Hippos 1" size were $45 and 2" were $60. The little ones (1") were soooo cute. I understand the lure of a Nano reefer getting one but, must issue a warning to newbies that might read this thread. Don't get caught up in the cuteness of juvenile fish. Do your home work, research each fish you are thinking of adding BEFORE you make the purchase. Bring your questions to us at TR beforehand. The regular group of TR members, that respond to questions, are a dedicated and educated bunch of reefers with knowledge gained from research and experience. Our advice is free. That one wrong fish, coral or invertebrate purchase could wind up costing you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Here's a different take on an old quote...
"A foolish reefer and his money are soon parted by the unscrupulous LFS who only cares about profit."
Few LFS owners or employees take the time to ask you questions about your experience and system. Taking time to get to know you costs money. Of course there are the exceptional LFS that really care about you and their livestock. They "get it" and you should give them your business. It's better, in almost every incidence, to buy livestock from a good LFS than to buy on-line.
If you (anyone) haven't read my, "Nine Simple Rules to Buying Fish", it's a short read that will teach you how to buy the healthiest fish and keep them that way. Here's the link - Nine Simple Rules
I hope this helps.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
My LFS prices are very high on Tangs, Triggers and other larger fish. If I were go to PETCO the Hippos were around $40 for the same size fish. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of PETCO because I don't like how they take care of their animals. The tanks they use are around 5-10G which to me is ridiculous. I'd be curious to see what the cost of these fish are and how much it can vary between suppliers.
hippos by me are normally $50 for a small one and $60 for medium koles purples and powder blues are $100 and
powder browns normally $50 sailfin and yellow $35 those are the tangs normally available here on a regular basis
probably just greedy lfs because i doubt it has anything to do with shipping since the huge store not to far from here that buys 200 fish at a time charges the same for fish that my little local store that buys maybe 5 at a time charges i think they just pretty much charge what the going price is in the area they are going to sell the fish for as much money as they think people are willing to pay for it
I went ahead and purchased a Mimic Tang and a Blue Regal. Both we small to medium and they cost $50.00 each. I bought them at RK which is a local store (35 min from my house). The owner doesn't sell a fish until they have acclimated to his system for at least a week. I had to movethe Maroon Clown to my sump until I have finished added my other fish. I didn't want to take any chances with her beating up the smaller tangs.
I would still like to add 1-2 more Tangs, but won't be for a while... My wife wasn't happy with me non the less
that's one place where i luck out my girl loves the fish tanks as much as i do half the time she is the one egging me on to get more stuff
My wife is/was the same way untill I had to purchase a new sump pump skimmer and other misc. items. "$600 store trip" Now she says I have spent my fish tank money for the rest of the year.
BrianG...I know your pain. After getting a couple hundered bucks for Christmas and birthdays and having no livestock to show for it, my fiance has pulled back the wallet from me and no more trips to the LFS, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, TAP Plastics, yada yada yada
We did just buy her a new puppy so I have $650 coming my way when she gets her financial aid in I already have a Mag 9.5 earmarked, plumbing to complete and hopefull with have 300 left for livestock...At least Christmas is right around the corner LOL
Even with prices a little higher, your LFS might be a safe bet depending on factors. The local competition, properly holding, quarantining and acclimating new arrivals, knowledge of the shop, etc. Seriously I don't trust my LFS for any of these and the closest one I do is nearly an hour away.
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
Linear Mode
