LFS--Tong's in Fountain Valley (SoCal--Orange County)

[John P.]

Good idea re: explaining that to them.

I live in Laguna Beach, so Petown is the closest decent LFS to me. Believe it or not, the Petsmart in Aliso Viejo is quite good (for a chain store), and has plants such as dwarf hairgrass and fish such as rummynose tetras--all in good health. All in all, though, Petown does have the most consistent quality in my area.

[wonder woman]

The reason I say that you should tell Tong's how you feel is because, well, put yourself in their place as a business owner. If you were slowly losing business (a customer at a time), wouldn't you want to know why? And, if you were a GOOD business owner, wouldn't you want a chance make concessions to win those customers back?
Now if, IMHO, when you tell them why you're disinclined to return to their store, they do not offer to make amends, that's their loss of business. Too bad for them.
Again, my only exception would be the case in which the tank with the cards you purchased was labelled clearly "no guarantee" (as cards often are when I've seen them at Tong's). No guarantee means just that, buyer beware.

Funny, I've been to Pettown in Lakeforest, and was only so-so in my opinion of it. They had very little selection in the way of plants, all badly algae-ridden. But their livestock selection was pretty impressive. Although I thought their stock tanks were really small, and not as clean as Tong's. But, again, I've only been once, and should probably go back again.

But...to each their own. No one store is going to be the One for everyone.

[Gomer]

If you do go back, make it a thursday night New fish come in wed and new plants thursday!

[NaughtyCashew]

Originally Posted by m3th0d

Oh man, I know who you're talking about. I'm really picky about my fish and this one time I told the guy to get the EXACT fishes that I wanted because the other ones looked kinda sick. So the guy tries to net them but can't, so he just nets all of 'em and puts them into the holding container and grabs each one by the tail and asks me if this is the one I want. I was pretty shocked when I saw that.. Got home and found the fishes dead in the bag. Mind you I live 10 minutes away from there so it wasn't because of any transit issues. I'm sure he's the one to blame because I've bought many other fish when he wasn't the bagger and they're all doing fine.

Wow, I had the exact same experience there as well. There are specific employees I avoid talking to at all costs when I go there.

For saltwater selection, they can't be beat - I have quite a few happy little fish in my saltwater tank from Tongs. I doubt I will ever go there for freshwater fish.

[Raul-7]

Do they make special orders on fish, such as Coral Reds, Apisto's, etc.? Overall how's the quality of their livestock?

[wonder woman]

I don't know if they take special orders, but as such a large and comprehensive store, I would guess they do. The number's 714-842-2733, if you'd like to give them a call. The quality of their livestock is very good, IMHO, possibly only bested by Strictly Fish in Carson. Of course, you will occasionally see a dead fish or two, and there have been issues of cardinal tetras with parasites (when they import wild-caughts like cards from South America, they usually do not guarantee them). But I have NEVER been to a fish store that did NOT have any dead or sickly fish in any of its' tanks. And I've DEFINITELY been to a lot of lfss in L.A./O.C. that had much WORSE conditions.

[Gomer]

The last time I was at tongs in FV , I got there before the door opened. While looking through their goods, I also watch one of the employees going to several tanks and removing the fish that died over night.

[wonder woman]

I'm not surprised. I'm sure most GOOD fish stores do that. But, as I've said, I've never been to a fish store that didn't have a few dead fish in its' tanks. It's inevitable, and unavoidable when you're temporarily "boarding" (until sale) fish shipped in from all over the world. And fish are much more delicate creatures than cats or dogs. I can't even begin to imagine how many times in transit they get jostled around, and go through extremes in temperatures and water chemistry. And then there's the times they have to swim for their lives to avoid being caught by careless lfs employees.
The GOOD fish stores are just the ones who bother to remove the dead bodies to keep the tank fairly clean. And Tong's is pretty good at that. Some places, who shall remain nameless, simply let the live fish feed off the dead ones. And then, expect to still have good sell-through.

[Gomer]

I've seen all sorts of not so smart pet stores and pet companies (LOL) have tons of dead fish in their goldfish/feederfish tanks Even feeder fish want a happy and healthy life before becoming lunch!

[NaughtyCashew]

I would have serious reservations about buying anything in their freshwater tanks. IMHO their freshwater selection looks like an afterthought. They do have decent plants once in a while. For everything Saltwater go to Tongs, otherwise I would go to Petown. The exact opposite is true there - great freshwater selection - crummy saltwater selection.

Tongs did expand its showroom, and it is a lot of fun to check out their equipment for sale. Their prices seem fairly reasonable as well.

NC

[John P.]

I realize I'm eating my words here, but I just picked up 5 Cherry Shrimp for $10 at Tong's this afternoon. I need males in there to mix it up with the ladies.

[scrimp]

Anyone else pesturing them to get some green, tiger or crystal red shrimp in?

[John P.]

What was the name of the lady you spoke with there about greens, crystals, etc? Also, please PM me your real name so I can mention you to her when I call.

[m3th0d]

There's a sale goin' on @ Tong's right now.. 30% off all livestock and 25-50% off dry goods.

[BLueFishie]

I would never buy anything from Tongs in FV unless they maybe had a really good deal on some hard goods like maybe a tank or stand. The fish ALWAYS look horrible and the people are often not knowledgable and fudge info to make it work for you. The prices are way expensive too. Sometime double or triple. Tongs in Brea was bought out and is now Imperial Tropical fish or something like that. The owners were cousins. Maybe the place will get cleaned up.