Do Not Buy Tangs or Wrasses from Them

Coralreefin · 07/01/2013, 02:13 PM

I decided to try them out and had a disaster of dead fish... they do not warranty Tangs or Leopard Wrasse. Go to Liveaquaria with their 14 day warranty - learn from my mistake. Never order from Blue Zoo again!

BlueZooAquatics · 07/01/2013, 02:27 PM

Sorry you had a bad experience but we certainly do offer guarantees on Surgeonfish. In fact, all of our animals are guaranteed to arrive alive. Most animals are guaranteed beyond live arrival as well but there are some very sensitive fish that we only guarantee for live arrival. For the most part, these items are listed as being expert only and the restriction on the guarantee is posted on each product page.

Sorry again if you were not completely satisfied with your purchase. If there is anything else we can do to help, please let us know.

Coralreefin · 07/01/2013, 02:37 PM

I have a Potter's Wrasse and a Brown Tang so I am very familiar with sensitive fish... I trade emails with your customer support as I was worried about ordering from you guys - and they tell a great story but I doubt it is true now. Sure the tang arrived alive it was beat up and mouth was all jagged and messed up... pretty sad you send stuff like that out.

Liveaquaria does put a warranty on their fish including leopard wrasses - I guess they are more confident of the quality of the fish. If I sent out what you did, I would definitely not have a DAA either especially if you are rushing to ship before they die at your facility. Incredibly disappointed.

BlueZooAquatics · 07/01/2013, 03:08 PM

Sir, we take the quality of our livestock extremely seriously. We crossed referenced your location with the animals you mentioned and think we figured out what the order was you were referring to. Looking at the account, you had a Gold Rim Tang and a Divided Leopard Wrasse which arrived alive but died a few days later. We are very sorry to hear that. You mentioned the tang was beat up but there is no evidence of that in the picture you sent.

We have every confidence in the world about the quality of our animals including leopard wrasses. The reason why they are not guaranteed beyond live arrival is because we cannot control the conditions they are being shipped into and they will not do well unless specific requirements are met. We do keep record of looses associated with every animal we sell, even the ones not guaranteed, and the leopard wrasses we sell still have less than 5% mortality which is outstanding.

Unlike other companies, we have complete control over the handling and packaging of our animals. Other companies may drop ship their animals from suppliers but we do not. Each and every animal that leaves our facility is looked after as if it was our own. Case in point, we just shipped off the two lightning patterned maroon clowns that sold recently on eBay. Here is what the customer had to say through his Facebook page:

"Have to give BIG kudos to Mark and the gang at Blue Zoo for one of the best packing jobs we've ever seen. Dave Zafrani and I opened a box to check before we left and just said "wow!" Also have to say Matt Pederson, these fish looked awesome in the pics but are stunning in person (and I really don't like maroons)."

So once again, we are very sorry your experience was not ideal but that is certainly not the norm. We try very hard to make sure that every animal we ship gets to its final destination in the best condition possible and will have a great chance of thriving with the right care. Even with that said, we are still dealing with living animals that do die from time to time. It is unfortunate but a part of the business and the hobby none the less.

Thank you for your time.

Calappidae · 09/27/2013, 09:24 PM

Bluezoo takes their live stock very very seriously. They package them and even include acclimation accessories to make sure they arrive alive in great condition. I never got anything but instructions from liveaquaria.. and dead animals.

BlueZooAquatics · 09/30/2013, 01:09 PM

Thank you for the comment. We do take our animals seriously and want more than anything else for them to thrive in their new homes.

sdmarriott1 · 10/01/2013, 11:38 AM

I too have had good experience with Blue Zoo. Their livestock was well packaged with heat packs and the acclimation kit was an added bonus. Sorry your experience was not up to par.

CHG107 · 10/02/2013, 01:59 PM

I ordered from them a while back and was very happy with them as well. Sorry you didn't have a good experience

Crimson · 10/03/2013, 09:08 PM

Confirmed on good quality. I have a Purple Mask Angel (Venustus) from them and is in QT since 9/14. So far almost a month and angel is doing very well. My only issue is that hes a shy fish, but healthy! Been doing a prazipro and cupermine treatment and the Angel seems to be okay with it. The cupermine treatment, I take it much slower than the directions and follow a 1/2 dose on day 1, and 1/2 dose 48hrs then keep adding until levels are correct and fish appears to be stress free.

The blue neon goby however, did not make it past day two. The poor small fry went to close and was stuck on the power head intake guard (lived but not for much longer). I bought a large fat neon goby from the LFS and is in qt with angel the day after the other neon passed.

cvye · 10/04/2013, 03:23 PM

Just ordered a kole tang from them, it was and is in great shape. No worries with them.

afishionado · 10/06/2013, 05:05 PM

"Cannot control the environment/conditions they are shipped into" is a fitting quote, and one which I'm confident is the underlying issue here ...

In my vast, knowledgable experience, people like this, who blame solely the vendor/point of origin for their losses are the ones who don't take full responsibility for their livestock.

Therefore, they think of every excuse/cop out/blame redirect in the book to appease their own fault(s)/misinformation/lack of knowledge in the situation !

KJAhp098 · 10/12/2013, 11:26 AM

+1 on a great order from BlueZoo in the past with acclimation instructions and kit.

triggreef · 10/12/2013, 11:43 AM

+ one on many great orders from bluezoo. I would say about 1/2 the fish on both my tanks came from them. The rest half/half from LA and R2G. I seldom buy fish from LFS just because what I get from these vendors are usually healthier than any I see at LFS.

In fact I have had several DOA's from LA and R2G but never from Bluezoo. They seem to have a bit better packaging than the others and the acclimation kit is a plus. Never received an ill looking or beat up fish from bluezoo.

I even had bloozoo cover a leopard wrasse that died overnight the first day. I still have the other that came with that one.

SantaMonica · 10/18/2013, 09:04 PM

If it helps, I've ordered from BZ several time (including tangs), and everying was good. But I'm only a few miles away, so obviously it was a quick overnight delivery.

camaroboy8691 · 10/31/2013, 08:36 PM

the only thing that sucks about BZ , is there in cali and im in PA

the few orders i have had where top notch ! they will be getting alot of business in the future when i stcok my 550g

tonyda1st · 10/31/2013, 09:02 PM

Oh no. I just purchased a wrasse from them

Grayson84 · 11/11/2013, 01:51 PM

Do not listen to anyone that bashes BZ there fish are great everything that i have ever got from them has been amazing! I am also in PA fish arrive in perfect shape well packed with heat pack and accliamtion packet. No worries from BZ

drukkosz · 11/13/2013, 01:25 PM

BZ is a great store. I have ordered from them many times and all the fish are beautiful and healthy.

Calappidae · 11/16/2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayson84

Do not listen to anyone that bashes BZ there fish are great everything that i have ever got from them has been amazing! I am also in PA fish arrive in perfect shape well packed with heat pack and accliamtion packet. No worries from BZ

+1 on being in PA and having several healthy arrivals

wii64brawl · 11/16/2013, 10:23 AM

Only DOA I ever had in three orders was a sexy shrimp. I had a flame scallop die overnight and they gave me credit even though he wasn't guaranteed past arrival. Also had a sun coral die after a few days, which they also credited right away. Great customer service, and you can't beat the free shipping over 140$.

owenspackman · 11/25/2013, 08:31 PM

My Moorish Idol came from BlueZoo. Happy, healthy, beautiful fish. Couldn't have asked for a better transaction.

Denver_Keeper · 11/25/2013, 08:39 PM

I have not used Blue Zoo, but I have heard good things from local reefers. I am not defending them or saying the OP was right or wrong.

Now the OP states the fish arrived "beat up." If that is the case then I assume there should be a pic showing just how bad a condition the fish was in on arrival, but even that would not prove that the fish left BZs facility in that condition.

Sorry you had a bad experience, and I am very sorry that the fish did not make it. However, one story with nothing but hearsay would not change mu opinion of using them in the future.

traddon · 11/27/2013, 04:38 AM

I'm sorry but i have to have sympathy for Coralreefin. i think my first online order for livestock was with bluezoo. i was very VERY nervous about buying marine animals online. when they came they were extremely well packed but they were beyond on the small size. i didnt order any wysiwyg so i guess i couldnt complain. its been sometime so i cant remember many details i just remembered i was extremely disappointed. not saying they are a bad company or writing you shouldnt buy such and such from them. but i do feel your pain 'alittle' atleast. pun intended

NYCEnglish · 11/28/2013, 11:52 AM

I too bought a Divided Leopard Wrasse from Blue Zoo. Unfortunately, she recently died - but just to be clear - I had her for almost 5 years, so no complaints from me about Blue Zoo! Their packaging is always excellent.

Meanstreet5150 · 12/04/2013, 05:03 PM

Agreed great place

07/01/2013, 02:13 PM	#1
Coralreefin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 45	Do Not Buy Tangs or Wrasses from Them I decided to try them out and had a disaster of dead fish... they do not warranty Tangs or Leopard Wrasse. Go to Liveaquaria with their 14 day warranty - learn from my mistake. Never order from Blue Zoo again!

09/27/2013, 09:24 PM	#5
Calappidae Harlequin Shrimp Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,814	Bluezoo takes their live stock very very seriously. They package them and even include acclimation accessories to make sure they arrive alive in great condition. I never got anything but instructions from liveaquaria.. and dead animals. __________________ Joe

10/03/2013, 09:08 PM	#9
Crimson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: South Jersey Posts: 421	Confirmed on good quality. I have a Purple Mask Angel (Venustus) from them and is in QT since 9/14. So far almost a month and angel is doing very well. My only issue is that hes a shy fish, but healthy! Been doing a prazipro and cupermine treatment and the Angel seems to be okay with it. The cupermine treatment, I take it much slower than the directions and follow a 1/2 dose on day 1, and 1/2 dose 48hrs then keep adding until levels are correct and fish appears to be stress free. The blue neon goby however, did not make it past day two. The poor small fry went to close and was stuck on the power head intake guard (lived but not for much longer). I bought a large fat neon goby from the LFS and is in qt with angel the day after the other neon passed. __________________ -Paul New years resolution... staying out of the lounge. Current Tank Info: 36x18x12 AIO Peninsula, T5's 2x Kessil a160we

10/12/2013, 11:26 AM	#12
KJAhp098 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,156	+1 on a great order from BlueZoo in the past with acclimation instructions and kit. __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: Marineland 150DD

10/12/2013, 11:43 AM	#13
triggreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 2,917	+ one on many great orders from bluezoo. I would say about 1/2 the fish on both my tanks came from them. The rest half/half from LA and R2G. I seldom buy fish from LFS just because what I get from these vendors are usually healthier than any I see at LFS. In fact I have had several DOA's from LA and R2G but never from Bluezoo. They seem to have a bit better packaging than the others and the acclimation kit is a plus. Never received an ill looking or beat up fish from bluezoo. I even had bloozoo cover a leopard wrasse that died overnight the first day. I still have the other that came with that one. __________________ 200g DD Marineland. Acro and monti heavy with some birdsnest, LPS, and zoas. 125g FOWLR

07/01/2013, 02:27 PM	#2
BlueZooAquatics RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Carson, Calif. Posts: 545	Sorry you had a bad experience but we certainly do offer guarantees on Surgeonfish. In fact, all of our animals are guaranteed to arrive alive. Most animals are guaranteed beyond live arrival as well but there are some very sensitive fish that we only guarantee for live arrival. For the most part, these items are listed as being expert only and the restriction on the guarantee is posted on each product page. Sorry again if you were not completely satisfied with your purchase. If there is anything else we can do to help, please let us know.

07/01/2013, 02:37 PM	#3
Coralreefin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 45	I have a Potter's Wrasse and a Brown Tang so I am very familiar with sensitive fish... I trade emails with your customer support as I was worried about ordering from you guys - and they tell a great story but I doubt it is true now. Sure the tang arrived alive it was beat up and mouth was all jagged and messed up... pretty sad you send stuff like that out. Liveaquaria does put a warranty on their fish including leopard wrasses - I guess they are more confident of the quality of the fish. If I sent out what you did, I would definitely not have a DAA either especially if you are rushing to ship before they die at your facility. Incredibly disappointed.

07/01/2013, 03:08 PM	#4
BlueZooAquatics RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Carson, Calif. Posts: 545	Sir, we take the quality of our livestock extremely seriously. We crossed referenced your location with the animals you mentioned and think we figured out what the order was you were referring to. Looking at the account, you had a Gold Rim Tang and a Divided Leopard Wrasse which arrived alive but died a few days later. We are very sorry to hear that. You mentioned the tang was beat up but there is no evidence of that in the picture you sent. We have every confidence in the world about the quality of our animals including leopard wrasses. The reason why they are not guaranteed beyond live arrival is because we cannot control the conditions they are being shipped into and they will not do well unless specific requirements are met. We do keep record of looses associated with every animal we sell, even the ones not guaranteed, and the leopard wrasses we sell still have less than 5% mortality which is outstanding. Unlike other companies, we have complete control over the handling and packaging of our animals. Other companies may drop ship their animals from suppliers but we do not. Each and every animal that leaves our facility is looked after as if it was our own. Case in point, we just shipped off the two lightning patterned maroon clowns that sold recently on eBay. Here is what the customer had to say through his Facebook page: "Have to give BIG kudos to Mark and the gang at Blue Zoo for one of the best packing jobs we've ever seen. Dave Zafrani and I opened a box to check before we left and just said "wow!" Also have to say Matt Pederson, these fish looked awesome in the pics but are stunning in person (and I really don't like maroons)." So once again, we are very sorry your experience was not ideal but that is certainly not the norm. We try very hard to make sure that every animal we ship gets to its final destination in the best condition possible and will have a great chance of thriving with the right care. Even with that said, we are still dealing with living animals that do die from time to time. It is unfortunate but a part of the business and the hobby none the less. Thank you for your time.

09/30/2013, 01:09 PM	#6
BlueZooAquatics RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Carson, Calif. Posts: 545	Thank you for the comment. We do take our animals seriously and want more than anything else for them to thrive in their new homes.

10/01/2013, 11:38 AM	#7
sdmarriott1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 67	I too have had good experience with Blue Zoo. Their livestock was well packaged with heat packs and the acclimation kit was an added bonus. Sorry your experience was not up to par.

10/02/2013, 01:59 PM	#8
CHG107 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: New York Posts: 205	I ordered from them a while back and was very happy with them as well. Sorry you didn't have a good experience

10/04/2013, 03:23 PM	#10
cvye Reefer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: RI Posts: 344	Just ordered a kole tang from them, it was and is in great shape. No worries with them.

10/06/2013, 05:05 PM	#11
afishionado Moved On Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 81	"Cannot control the environment/conditions they are shipped into" is a fitting quote, and one which I'm confident is the underlying issue here ... In my vast, knowledgable experience, people like this, who blame solely the vendor/point of origin for their losses are the ones who don't take full responsibility for their livestock. Therefore, they think of every excuse/cop out/blame redirect in the book to appease their own fault(s)/misinformation/lack of knowledge in the situation !

10/18/2013, 09:04 PM	#14
SantaMonica Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA Posts: 2,511	If it helps, I've ordered from BZ several time (including tangs), and everying was good. But I'm only a few miles away, so obviously it was a quick overnight delivery.

10/31/2013, 08:36 PM	#15
camaroboy8691 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: tower city pa 17980 Posts: 264	the only thing that sucks about BZ , is there in cali and im in PA the few orders i have had where top notch ! they will be getting alot of business in the future when i stcok my 550g

10/31/2013, 09:02 PM	#16
tonyda1st Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 48	Oh no. I just purchased a wrasse from them

11/11/2013, 01:51 PM	#17
Grayson84 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 95	Do not listen to anyone that bashes BZ there fish are great everything that i have ever got from them has been amazing! I am also in PA fish arrive in perfect shape well packed with heat pack and accliamtion packet. No worries from BZ

11/13/2013, 01:25 PM	#18
drukkosz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Twinsburg Posts: 934	BZ is a great store. I have ordered from them many times and all the fish are beautiful and healthy.

11/16/2013, 10:23 AM	#20
wii64brawl Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 364	Only DOA I ever had in three orders was a sexy shrimp. I had a flame scallop die overnight and they gave me credit even though he wasn't guaranteed past arrival. Also had a sun coral die after a few days, which they also credited right away. Great customer service, and you can't beat the free shipping over 140$.

11/25/2013, 08:31 PM	#21
owenspackman Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 835	My Moorish Idol came from BlueZoo. Happy, healthy, beautiful fish. Couldn't have asked for a better transaction.

11/25/2013, 08:39 PM	#22
Denver_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 38	I have not used Blue Zoo, but I have heard good things from local reefers. I am not defending them or saying the OP was right or wrong. Now the OP states the fish arrived "beat up." If that is the case then I assume there should be a pic showing just how bad a condition the fish was in on arrival, but even that would not prove that the fish left BZs facility in that condition. Sorry you had a bad experience, and I am very sorry that the fish did not make it. However, one story with nothing but hearsay would not change mu opinion of using them in the future.

11/27/2013, 04:38 AM	#23
traddon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 3	Empathy and Sympathy I'm sorry but i have to have sympathy for Coralreefin. i think my first online order for livestock was with bluezoo. i was very VERY nervous about buying marine animals online. when they came they were extremely well packed but they were beyond on the small size. i didnt order any wysiwyg so i guess i couldnt complain. its been sometime so i cant remember many details i just remembered i was extremely disappointed. not saying they are a bad company or writing you shouldnt buy such and such from them. but i do feel your pain 'alittle' atleast. pun intended

11/28/2013, 11:52 AM	#24
NYCEnglish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NYC Posts: 109	I too bought a Divided Leopard Wrasse from Blue Zoo. Unfortunately, she recently died - but just to be clear - I had her for almost 5 years, so no complaints from me about Blue Zoo! Their packaging is always excellent.

12/04/2013, 05:03 PM	#25
Meanstreet5150 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 117	Agreed great place