Apistogramma problems

[K House]

I ordered some Apistos from an lfs (not my usual lfs but one that was close to work) back in December and they finally got them in 2 weeks ago. Well, they received 2 pairs of Agassizi and 1 pair of Hongsloi. I went to the store a couple days after the fish arrived (Thursday) and already 1 male Agassizi and one female Hongsloi had died. I purchased all the rest. I put the 3 Agassizi in one tank and the 1 Hongsloi in another. Friday I lost one female Agassizi, Saturday I lost the male Agassizi. The Hongsloi was doing great but seemed lonely so on Sunday I put the 1 remaining female Agassizi in with the Hongsloi. Last night (Wednesday) the Hongsloi died. And I can't seem to find the last remaining female Agassizi.

What the heck is going on???

The lfs said they don't know whether the Apistos are wild-caught or tank raised. (They seem completely ignorant about freshwater fish.) Their guarantee is 48 hours. They don't offer refunds or store credits, only same fish replacement. Well, I'm reluctant to say the least about getting anymore Apistos from them but I also hate to be out almost $70.

From everything I've read, Apistos aren't that hard a fish to keep. And my tanks are well-established with tons of live plants.

[Eric]

I don't know what's going on with your tanks, but if you want my opinion, contact Ken Davis (fishfarm on this forum), he will be able to get you great wild-caught apistos, and in a great shape too! Mine all come from him and are doing great...

[ron v]

A hundred different things could have caused that. None of which are your fault. I'm sure you bought the fish because you felt that it was the right thing to do, since they were ordered for you. BUT, the lfs is responsible to you also. They are in the business. I would accept the replacement apisto's and I would keep demanding replacements until they get it right. When a new shipment comes in, wait a few days before you pick them up.

[ron v]

Yes, I agree with Eric. Ken will treat you right. I don't know where you live, but even with shipping, you would probably be better off with Ken. I know he has WILD caught apistos ( several different species ) right now for $5-$7 each. I have an order in with him right now that include A. viejita.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by ron v

I have an order in with him right now that include A. viejita.

I got a pair of A. viejita from him back in December, they are really beautiful and I think they will be breeding pretty soon!

I know that right now he's got some wild-caught agassizii from Brazil, and I believe he still has some viejitas from Colombia in stock.

[K House]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I live in Atlanta. Marietta specifically. I was going to wait and see what Ken brought to the auction next month but I think I'll go ahead and contact him. Thanks again everyone!

I'll talk to the lfs and see if they will let me get some other fish instead. I hate to keep getting fish that are going to die. Not fair to the fish or to me!

[K House]

Ken's website doesn't seem to be working. Is this - http://mindspring.com/~fishfarm/ - the correct site? I'll email him also...

[SM_Levin]

Try this site:

http://fishfarm.home.mindspring.com/

[K House]

I've gotten in touch with Ken and explained my woes to him. He agrees that my water parameters should be fine for Apistos. So I will be the proud parent of some of Ken's Apistos in the very near future!

An update on the saga with the petstore - I spoke to the owner on Wednesday. Sort of. He didn't want to give me credit on the male since I didn't bring his poor dead body back within the warranty period. And he said that he was reluctant to give me full price credit for them because my pH was low and it was "obviously something wrong with my tanks" and not necessarily the quality of the fish. Then he disappears into the back of the store. The employee was writing up my credit and I said that since my tanks were (as the owner put it) obviously not conducive to healthy happy Apistos, could I get just a store credit so that I could purchase fish that were compatible with my tanks. He said no. What?! I asked to speak to the owner and was told he was "busy". I told the guy that he was just out here talking to me and to please ask him to spare just a minute to discuss this. He went into the back and came back out and said the owner was just too busy to talk to me and I would have to except same fish replacement. He also said he has no idea when they will get anymore Apistos in but they would be sure to call me as soon as they do. Yeah, sure.

The employee recommended that I take the new Apistos as soon as they come in so that they don't have to acclimate twice. My view on it is that I would prefer that the lfs keep them for a week or so to make sure they are healthy and then I'll take them. To which he said, of course, that he couldn't guarantee that he could hold them for me for that long. So I guess I've learned an expensive lesson - just because it is a privately owned fish store doesn't mean that they care about their customers or their fish. Sad.

[ron v]

This is a shop in Atlanta, I assume. I, for one would like to know who this is. MODS... would it be appropriate for this fish shop to be named here????

[Eric]

Originally Posted by ron v

This is a shop in Atlanta, I assume. I, for one would like to know who this is. MODS... would it be appropriate for this fish shop to be named here????

I would love to hear that, although I usually don't go to fish stores...

The little aggie that Ken sold me last month (wild-caught from Brazil) is currently raising 20 babies or so...

[Damon]

I don't see a problem with that, Ron. Since this thread is about an actual experience that happened there and not just another store bashing thread.

[K House]

I was refraining from mentioning the store because I didn't want to seem like I was just trying to get revenge or something. The shop is Under the Wave located in Duluth. I used to shop there about 10 years ago when I lived in that area. I knew the manager personally (who now works for Seachem) and always had great experiences with the store. I don't know if it's under new ownership now or what. And I have heard good things (recently!) about their marine fish from several people. I just think they don't much care about tropical freshwater fish anymore. The 3 times I've been there since this incident happened, I have yet to speak with an employee who didn't look at me like I was speaking a foreign language when I said the word Apistogramma. But again, for marine fish they may treat someone much better than what has been my personal experience.

[ron v]

I'm sure a lot of Atlanta Area people will see this, with interest. Maybe it will get back to "Under the Wave". I've never been ther and probable won't. Thanks K-House

[Eric]

Originally Posted by K House

I I have yet to speak with an employee who didn't look at me like I was speaking a foreign language when I said the word Apistogramma.

The very same experience happened to me at the very same store .

Also, while I was looking for my school of hatchets, they told me (over the phone) they had "silver hatchets" but since there are several species I wanted to know the scientific name, but absolutely noone was able to tell me which species they had... oh well! In the same mall, The Aviarium is much better IMHO

[fishfarm]

I quarantine all my fish 4-6 weeks before I sell them, They most likely got wild caught Apistos from the wholesaler that had just been imported. How could your pH be to low?? Shows you what they know. Apsitos come from soft acidic water in the wild, our local tap water is almost perfect for them. I will be bringing some to the auction. Ken