Petco

Let me tell you something:

I have a small 10 gallon marine quarantine tank.
I once visited this shop and I saw some very poor clonwfish swimming in their tank.
Iīve never ever seen some fish sick like this two guys.
They were full of Ich.
Not only spotted with a few spots, I could hardly figure out, thereīs something orange hidden under the Ich.

As you can imagine, all tanks are filtered over one single filter. Thatīs not my problem but I had to buy these poor guys.
I bought them without any recommendations how I could heal them. Nobody told me that they were ill.

In fact, I knew it and I really wanted to give them a chance.
After two weeks under medications one fish died.
After six months, the second one was healthy.

Heīs now waiting to move in his new home. A bigger tank with his own bubble anemone.

Thatīs enough to explain my expressions.
Iīm pretty sure, I donīt have to tell you more.
Kia 01:44:32 6/10/2006
 

As a matter of fact, there *is* only one person in charge of the whole fish department. She's only there part time, though, - only the evenings for the most part. And for working part time only, I'd say she does a pretty dam good job of keeping the tanks up to par.

I guess like any store, it all depends on who you talk to. After a few minutes talking to her, you get the feeling that she loves fish as much as we do, and sincerely makes an effort to send them to good homes.

I've seen the weekend rush when there are like, 5 customers waiting for fish, and that's the worst time to ask her to explain the Cycle, because after you leave, there are 4 other customers yelling at her because she's the only one working at that department and they had to wait.

But when there's not that many people around, you can ask her lots of questions and if she doesn't know the more technical stuff or if she doesn't carry the specific product, she can tell you where to go, who to talk to, and how much to expect to pay.

And when she's not around, the other workers have told me to call back when she's working instead of giving me information they've just pulled out their arse.

Overall, very good shopping experience, and good selection of fish. They carry the usual livebearers and tetras, but usually have one or two special new fish in every weekend.

Good expanded saltwater selection also.

I've asked around the area, and the other LFS's all have a pretty good opinion of this Petco.
FishMike 09:01:53 1/04/2006
 

this is the worst store in bay area. we were beginners, bought the entire kit from here. Initially trusting their staff, we did as they keep telling us. After 2weeks we went with our water sample and the person assured our water quality ideal, without even testing water for ammonia. We got fishes and they all died. Then we went to other Fish Store and got to know our tank had not cycled at all. Ammonia was there. It took us almost 2 months to cycle our tank because Petco people's advise totally screwed our tank. I will never go there now. simply hate the staff for their so little knowledge and rudeness. Ammonia is fatal for fish and they have no test for ammonia.
nnn 15:28:46 12/18/2005
 

i can't agree with CleanSigns at all. the place is not the worst but definitely a few dead fishes here and there... especially the bettas in which they stack the containers on top of each other and cover the air holes! the bettas can be dead for days and no one notices. there is maybe one person responsible for the fish section and that person is usually not there! the lizard section is fairly new and they look in reasonable condition... only time will tell... they may try to improve since PetSmart just moved in down the street.
rubyn wud 21:18:59 11/19/2005
 

Bad PR - I have been found guilty. I made the mistake of lumping all Petco's together and giving them bad rap. I was challenged to review a Petco store and this is my finding.

Sunnyvale - Huge parking lot - Easy to get in and out of.

A decent selection with few sick fish. The fish looked happy and healthy with only 2 tanks that were overstocked. Of those ,they were of more popular livebearers which would be sold rapidly anyway so I am not holding that against them.

Shelfs of product were neat and pricing was easy to read. Good selection also.

Tanks and equipment somewhat old but for the most part clean and inviting. (scratched plexi and with old algae stains that aren't coming off)

Staff very polite and very attentive. A few of the employees were working out on the floor but all greeted us with smiles and an eagerness to help. I asked a few questions and the advice given was accurate and correct. One young lady in particular stood out from the rest and really showed great people skills and knowledge.

This store is nice and welcoming and a good place for the beginner to get equipment at a fair price. If you are looking for rare and unusual fish this is not the place for you.

I promise in the future to make sure any comments made about Petco will be followed up with a location.

I hope Petco's corp. office will see the time and effort that has been put into the store and reward them accordingly.

CleanSigns 00:59:06 7/31/2004