mail order mbuna??

[FishoPhile J]

ok, so i've been surfing the web and i've found alot of mail order cichlids that are far more desireable than the variety (of 4) at the lfs's. problem is, they all want $50 or more for shipping charges. this is understandable, but if i only want one or two fish, i'd be crazy to pay $50 for a $12 fish. Are there any ways around this? mabey i've been looking at the wrong sites? any suggestions would be welcome.
thanx,
-j

[SGypsyMermaid]

you've just got to find a site that's got more than one fish that you are interested in.

[FishoPhile J]

i'm intrested in quite afew... however, tank space is running short... more than 1 or 2 more, and there won't be room for the rocks. :(

[SGypsyMermaid]

then you need to try to hook up with local breeders. check out fish clubs in your area. tfh magazine has a listing near the back of their issues.

[jnorris]

If you go to a good lfs chances are they would be more than happy to add the fish you want to their order.

I found one in my area that charges me fish for their cost. The only catch is that I have to pick up the fish when they arrive (they won't tank it).

You may consider looking in the phonebook for a better store and get in good with the owner. A good LFS can be hard to find sometimes. Most of them specialize in saltwater instead of Cichlids.

Where do you live?

[FishoPhile J]

jnorris: i live in san fran, and there are about 4 decent cichlid dealers (and 2 others that i would never buy a fish from), unfortunatly, most don't really speak english and the one that does gives me the impression that he's irritated by my questions... he doesn't know very much about cichlids, and i am very inquisitive. hopefully, after i spend more $$, he'll start to warm up.

[FishoPhile J]

[quote:3175bf402d="SGypsyMermaid"]. tfh magazine has a listing near the back of their issues.[/quote:3175bf402d]

newbie question: what's a "tfh"???

[SGypsyMermaid]

tfh=tropical fish hobbyist

[Scotty]

Fishophile- Don't pass over Sgypsymermaids earlier suggestion of looking into a fish club. You'll find more fish at better prices than you could possibly ever buy. You will also find people to gladly answer all your questions, without having to worry that they are motivated by making a sale :wink: If you look in the back of that TFH, you should also see club listings. I believe you have a good one near you. If memory serves it's called the Bay Area Aquarium Society. Good luck with it........Scott 8)