Does Anyone Have Any Thoughts About Wal-Mart Fish?

My 3300 gallon pond is up and running. Since I live in a rural area, the only immediate source of live fish is Wal-Mart. Does anyone have any experience with Wal-Mart fish? When I google searched this topic, I found dozens of negative blogs and articles about live fish from Wal-Mart.

Does anyone have any experience with having purchased fish from this store?

No, but there are thousands of Walmarts and each fish section is managed by a person who makes very little money. Whether or not yours has a competant person managing the fish is an assessment you have to make in all fairness to WalMart. Talk to that person and get to know them if you want to get a warm, fuzzy feeling about how they care for the fish.

I would be safe in saying they all don't get their fish from the same place either. So the quality of the stock will be different.

We have a local Petco here and I saw over 10 dead Koi in their tank once. When I reported it to the manager of that area, he did nothing while we were still there. If I was first of all that stupid to have dead fish in my tanks, I certainly wouldn't have added to my incompetance by ignoring a customer.

You make an excellent point. The aquariums all look clean and although the colors of the koi are muted, all of the fish seem healthy.

It really doesn't matter where you buy fish. I have purchased KOI from wal-mart with no problems. I won't purchase any if I notice any fish that are looking sick or unhealthy.

I have been to PetSmart and PetCo, both have had some sickly looking koi and poor selections.

You are best off finding out when the Wal-Mart gets their fish delivery and get them soon after they arrive.

Most have their 7 or 14 day fish guarentee. *knock on wood* the only fish that I've lost after purchasing it, was a koi that was dropped on the floor 3 times before making it into the bag. It was a pretty looking koi and was hoping it'd make it, but didn't last more than a few hours, which didn't surprise me.

Koi are not as colorful when viewing thier sides. Plus they lose some color indoors and in a sterile environment. Like most animals they rely on camoflage in the wild.

I got a shubunkin from Petco testerday that was missing part of it's tail but it was swimming all over and VERY lively. I brought it home and he was acting fine and hopefully he will be ok. He seems to have adapted quickly. I've also got fish from Wal-mart and as long as they look healthy and you observe them for a few minutes and all is well w/ them then get them.

I have gotten several Fantails from Walmart with absolutely no problem at all. In fact, the flourished, tripling their size in just a matter of months...

I have bought fish there a long time ago and know people who have.I would not recommend it as they all get sick and die.i would google fish hatcheries or koi farms to see what might come up.it all depends on what kind of fish you are trying to put in your pond.hope this helps

I wound up getting 2 comets from Wal-Mart and spent over $100 (not including the cost of express shipping) to buying koi and other fish from a pond supplier in Tucson.

So what happened?

During a torrential rainstorm, Sonora green toads came out of hibernation, discovered, my pond, and began croaking for mates. Some of these toads were huge, nearly the size of my clenched fist. While they were having their toadfest, they ate most of my fish.

The only survivors?

The two comets from the local Wal-Mart.

Oh my goodness...so sorry about them eating your fish!

If you must know the truth...the fish that I have gotten from Petsmart has died within days of my buying them...my little Walmart fish have been very healthy and flourished. So...go figure...I have no idea. I also got my Koi from a local petstore which takes really good care of their fish, etc. No more from Petsmart...