JoFish vs Fish Pro's

[NeonFish]

Stopped by this week to both Stores. I'm more impressed with JoFish. Fish all look healthy. At Fish Pro's, the clown trigger looks emaciated and all the angels and tangs look like refugee's. Gobies seem to be AOK.

+1 for Jofish.

[INOKEA]

I like jofish also,

Jofish;
Pros, healthier livestock
Cons, every time I stop by theirs tanks are almost empty.
Jofish seams to carry less but healthier and at a good price.

Fish pros;
Pros, a lot of livestock
Down side though is a lot of dead or sick fish in almost all their tanks, I guess that's the pay out of too much livestock. Their prices are ok too.

That's my personal opinion.

[K3nnyG]

Jofish
Better prices
Better quality

Fishpros
More stock
Decent prices
Dead fish though.

[Rarend99]

Fish pros does have a much better selection of corals, jofish always is empty

[Ssteve]

Another plus for FishPros is the customer service. Not that anyone at Jofish has been rude, just that there's a couple employees at FishPros that will go well out of their way to help you.

[woodnaquanut]

I agree with the above statements.

I've bought one fish from the new FP. Of course it went into QT.

Since I purchased that fish, their tanks have been looking worse. I've talked to them about it. Perhaps if other customers shared their concerns with the manager we could effect positive change. If they were up for it I bet we could put together a few 'experts' to make recommendations.

Several years ago I was there to buy a fish. All the fish they had of that species had ich. The employee told me, "No problem, you can treat that easily". I walked out and it was YEARS before I returned.

I understand the risks buying fish. I want to start with as healthy a fish as possible. No way am I going to START with an obviously diseased fish unless it's at GREAT discount (free?). Healthy fish cost the same a sick ones. I choose to spend my $$ on the healthy.

I haven't dealt with JF much. The staff is friendly and helpful. They don't seem like a retail FS. Every time I've been there there is almost no stock. If they were closer I'd visit them more often.

I want both these stores to succeed. Good for them and great for us!

[lokii_37]

I like both stores but I like the coral selection better at fish pros. In either case I would drive the 20-30 minutes so that I don't have to go to the store on piner.

[K3nnyG]

I like both stores but I like the coral selection better at fish pros. In either case I would drive the 20-30 minutes so that I don't have to go to the store on piner.

I agree

[Ssteve]

For corals I completely agree, but their fish always look healthy.

[WalrusKisses]

I like both stores but I like the coral selection better at fish pros. In either case I would drive the 20-30 minutes so that I don't have to go to the store on piner.

"The Store On Piner" is officially the new name for that business, haha.

[Rarend99]

"The Store On Piner" is officially the new name for that business, haha.

Hahahaha totally agree

[NeonFish]

so what's the problem with the store on Piner?

[Reef Bass]

Try to be an appreciated long term customer and you will see.

[woodnaquanut]

Try to be an appreciated long term customer and you will see.

I usually don't like to dis a LFS, but I have to agree. I've spent thousands there and am a stranger to them.

There WAS one employee that I connected with but he moved away to a far off foreign city on the east coast! :)

[INOKEA]

I agree, I missed James!
He was the only thing (person) they had going for them.

I my self rather drive to Milpitias than to Piner.

[gonzalez78]

Ever since that incident at "The Store On Piner" between me and the manager I have never gone back.... While some of the clerks there do know me well I was not happy with the bad information I heard being given out to the customers just so they could make a few bucks out of them.... Would you recommend to add snails to fresh water tanks? would you say "oh no they don't reproduce quick"?.... Would you tell a customer that they can grow any coral under fluorescent lights?.... After I told those customers to take their money somewhere else where they would tell them the truth I walked out and vowed never to return there again.... As for FP and JF I do agree that JF has more healthier looking fish while FP has more corals.... The drawbacks is that they both had giant aiptasia in their coral tanks last time I was in their stores.

[woodnaquanut]

To be fair, if a misinformed employee stopped me from going to a LFS, I don't think there would be any place to shop!

I love snails in my FW tanks. Cleanup crew and indicator of over feeding if they are outta control.

I've seen some spectacular tanks lit with just T5s.

Almost any type of equipment works if you have the skill.

[gonzalez78]

To be fair, if a misinformed employee stopped me from going to a LFS, I don't think there would be any place to shop!

I love snails in my FW tanks. Cleanup crew and indicator of over feeding if they are outta control.

I've seen some spectacular tanks lit with just T5s.

Almost any type of equipment works if you have the skill.

Johnny boy you're not reading my post well I take it.... You're tilling me that you can grow any coral under fluorescent light bulbs? You know the ones found in the lights you buy at walmart that are for freshwater only.... I know you can grow great things with t5's but they were not talking about those lights. Also, I know it's good to have snails in your freshwater tank but to go as far as sayings hat they don't reproduce fast? Dude they're like freaking rabbits. Another thing is that it was not just one misinformed LFS employe but 2.... One who was supposed to the the replacement to James, their saltwater expert.

[d_carloo]

Out of the only 3 stores we have in Sonoma county
I like fish pros the best for costumer service, prices, and just feel welcomed to be there.
Frags are reasonably priced.
If you talk to any of the staff they will take the time to help you and answer all your questions.

Jofish has healthy fish and a few corals and there prices are really close to the store on Piner

The store on Piner, since James left, it hasn't been the same every time I go in there I get no help. They have no costumer service and I don't feel welcome at all.
When I was looking to get my tank I gave them the dimensions for the tank I needed and they told me that no body makes custom tanks anymore so I went to FishPros the same day and Jason the manager got my custom tank for me in two weeks at no extra charge and cheaper than CEASERS.

I live down the street from the store on Piner but if FishPros is open I would rather drive to Cotati.

That's in my humble opinion.

[woodnaquanut]

Oh No, I've been called 'boy'! :D

Somebody needs glasses!!!! :bounce3::bounce2::bounce3:

[Ssteve]

I have a little different way of doing things. I've been treated really well by the little guy with the fro at FishPros and really well by one of the girls at Caesars. Also been treated fairly poor by people at both, so if they aren't there I basically won't talk to anyone else about any purchases, just casual conversation.

[Dragonvale]

Here's my fifty cents.... I like both FP and JF both customer services is great. As far as selection for both fish and corals, I'd go with FP. Everyone talks about healthy fish etc, that just leads to how a store purchases their live stock via direct transshipments or by a U.S. wholesaler.

For the store on piner, I like it cause they don't bother me. If I want something ill let someone know I need help. With today's technology customers should be decently self educated on whatever their wanting to buy. Wether it be a car to a saltwater fish, the Internet will educate you some what or atleast give you an idea on what you need to know. Lets say you go to a car dealership and you haven't done any research, you maybe getting the wrong information by the sales individual or better yet screwed over on the price. Samething with fish/coral/lighting etc.... I seriously hope an individual would atleast do some research before making a purchase or atleast ask an individual already in the hobby not affiliated with the store.

[FreshReefer]

My 2 cents... that store on piner is good for healthy fish and cleanup crew stuff. Coral is overpriced and so is all the equipment. I shop there purely for convinience. I dont want to drive the extra 30mins for a few snails and hermits or maybe some frozen food. What boggles my mind from them is the lack of support for the club. The only thing local business will have over the internet SOON is the value of customer relationships. BELIEVE THAT!

Jofish gave me the best amazon price on a laguna pump recently which was way awesome. I agree stock is low on livestock, but the employees are cool and they have shown previous support for the club. I will gladly spend my money here.

Fishpros has great stock, but agreed, watch what you buy as it is likely stressed. I am sure alot of livestock die from shipping... but I wish they would regularly remove the dead from the tanks. It doesnt tank more than 2 seconds to catch a dead fish... that said I will surely shop hereand truely appreciate their support of the club. You guys are newand us reef guys are probably just extra picky about clean healthy specimens because we spend so much time and money on our tanks. :)

[Reef Bass]

The only thing local business will have over the internet SOON is the value of customer relationships. BELIEVE THAT!


+1. Well put Owen.

[INOKEA]

Owen, you read my mind
And I agree, FP would be on top of my list if they removed the dead and sick fish, it seams to me like they have plenty of space in between the two rows of tanks maybe they should set up a hospital tank to house the sick fish. I do like the fact that they have plenty of livestock and that they support our club, but I find it discouraging to see so many sick or dead fish, don't know what's worse seeing that or driving all the way to Luma coming back empty handed feeling like you just waisted a trip some how knowing what was expected but hoping they had something.

[lokii_37]

don't know what's worse seeing that or driving all the way to Luma coming back empty handed feeling like you just waisted a trip some how knowing what was expected but hoping they had something.

And you read my mind.

[Ssteve]

Popped into Jofish today and they had a ton more stock than I've seen before... Also had a sale going in. Buy three get one free so I grabbed some acans, favia, and monti.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i45/ssleevin/th_132BA934-8D1B-4B3B-9EB9-9ECF69FFF35A-1482-00000172290070E6_zps9559402d.jpg (http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i45/ssleevin/?action=view&current=132BA934-8D1B-4B3B-9EB9-9ECF69FFF35A-1482-00000172290070E6_zps9559402d.jpg)

[Reef Bass]

Nice!