wholesale instead of lfs ?

aeroflight · Post by **aeroflight** » 13 Jun 2003, 16:14

Is it possible to for a private individual like myself to get fish directly from a wholesaler/importer and bypass the lfs all together? Are there any special conditions/considerations in doing such a thing?

Post by **Silurus** » 13 Jun 2003, 16:17

Yes, it's possible. I've done so myself (as have many others in this forum) and it depends on whether the importer is willing to deal with indivduals (almost all do) as well as how much you are willing to pay in shipping. Naturally, the larger your order, the more cost-effective your shipping.

aeroflight · Post by **aeroflight** » 13 Jun 2003, 17:23

What's the best way to find a reputable wholesaler? Look in the yellow pages? I doubt there's any fish wholsalers in the ABQ, NM area. Look on the map, and we're in the middle of nowhere.

Sid Guppy · Post by **Sid Guppy** » 13 Jun 2003, 17:47

Too bad it isn't as easy here!
the current importers have strong vieuws on this policy over here, and it is so bad, that even if you go to an importer with a LFS-owner to get or just look at the fish; they refuse to let you in! I've known people who had to stand out on the street, until the LFS people had packed their fish; and the importers told the LFs people, that if he took anybody with him next time; it was end of business....

But then, the Dutch are real sticklers whewn it comes to following rules to the letter, even if it ends up really dumb like this.

Post by **Silurus** » 13 Jun 2003, 17:55

Aeroflight,

What kind of fish are you after? Most importers tend to concentrate on a specific geographical area. I know there are plenty of importers specializing in African or South American fish. Importers specializing in Asian fish are rarer.

aeroflight · Post by **aeroflight** » 13 Jun 2003, 19:38

Right now I'm primarily interested in South American fish. I'd really like to find a good place to get some not-so-common plecos.

As an example of our pleco selection here in ABQ, commons are, well ... common (usually about $2), while a gibby or bristlenose go for $20 each. There's only one lfs in town that carries the gibby's or bn's, too. I've seen one L114, one L260, and a few clown pleco's in the past year (and I hit the lfs at least once a week, too).

Post by **Silurus** » 13 Jun 2003, 23:14

You can try checking up on the sellers in Aquabid. A number of them are importers and since they are seling individual fish, you can bet they will be happy to deal with you.