While I've heard the warnings about purchasing fish at PetsMart, due to the fact that they don't specialize in fish and are essentially the "WalMart" of petstores, I can't say I've ever had a bad experience at this store (maybe it's just this store, I haven't been to any others).
Pros:
Tanks are all clean (even the feeder goldfish tank manages to stay clean) and well maintained. Tanks are labeled well with information such as the common and scientific name of the fish, what they eat, temperment, expected adult size (a REALLY necessary piece of info!), and whether they are community, chichlid, etc. fish. Tanks contain very few, if any, dead fish. Staff is always nearby and make a point to ask if I need any help. When asked questions about the fish, the staff are knowledgable and most can give personal experience with certain fish. I haven't seen them carry dyed or "painted" fish. Return policy is great -- on fish as well as equipment. Prices are great (in many cases, theirs is the lowest).
Cons:
Don't carry everything I might need for a proper aquarium (don't carry hydrometers, for example). They also don't carry any saltwater fish, so if that's what you're looking for, you can skip this one. They don't carry "specialty" items such as BioSpira.
Tiffany 09:52:32 2/12/2005