Petsmart Cardinal Tetras

[Ebichua]

Anyone know their source for cardinals? Are they captive bred? They run for 4 bucks a pop here, which is quite pricey. But if it's captive, I think it's well-worth the purchase since they're hardier. I purchased 4 today, to test it out and they're doing good so far. I don't know if I'm just lucky or they really are just good specimens.

I don't normally go to Petsmart to buy fish too, but I have read in some posts that they suspect Petsmart to have captive bred cardinals. Anyone have more evidence of this?

Also, if you know a good place to get captives for less than 4 dollars each and have fair shipping prices, please tell me where! I'm interested in getting a dozen or so more.

[spinycheek]

Have you asked them directly. My guess is like most places, they just buy what's most available and cheap, so the source may vary with every new delivery. I've gotten neons and guppies from petsmart and they're still kickin a year and a half later.

[mistergreen]

I think they have a captive bred policy. It probably came from asia.

I've seen them go for $8 each in some places so $4 is better.

[fishbguy1]

We get captive cardinals at the lfs I work at for 2.99.

I've seen cardinals at p-mart for 4 bucks, never more, never less (I've seen them twice...lol)

[kotoeloncat]

ouch, 4 bucks for cardinals ?

we can get them for $1 here in NYC

[Ebichua]

Originally Posted by kotoeloncat

ouch, 4 bucks for cardinals ?

we can get them for $1 here in NYC

I was reading that in an older post. You sir, are a freaking tease.

But yes, 4 dollars a pop. I don't want to ask them anything, they don't usually know and sometimes even lie about stuff. Asking Petsmart is more of like a last resort to me.

[moogoo]

they are $4 a pop here too. if you're buying a large quantity is cheaper to buy online...

not sure if they are captive bred but i've also never heard of them having a captive bred policy either. i would think they are wild caught considering how sensitive they are.

[plakat]

I never heard of petsmart or petco having a captive bred policy. If the fins on most of the cardinals in the tank are damaged its a good sign that they are wild caught but its not 100%. The price flux could also be dependent on availability seeing how there seems to be a limited nimber of breeders and the fact that these fish are seasonal.

[Stevie D]

I bought 3 from petsmart to replace a few wild ones that i bought a little while ago. Within 3 days my whole discus tank was filled with ich. I took care of it, but still, it figures. Those 3 did all survive though.

Stevie D

[Ebichua]

Originally Posted by Stevie D

I bought 3 from petsmart to replace a few wild ones that i bought a little while ago. Within 3 days my whole discus tank was filled with ich. I took care of it, but still, it figures. Those 3 did all survive though.

Stevie D

Petsmart runs a connected filter, one tank sick = all tank sick. That's why I'm VERY wary about buying fish there. I always check every single tank first. Which really, is kind of sad, if you think about it.
In any case, the 4 cardinals I got look really great right now. Schooling together quite tightly. They were eating just fine last night too. So far, so good :-) no signs of illness or stress.
I will have to check that fin damage thing...

[rasetsu]

I've had excellent luck with Petsmart cardinals. The price has actually dropped recently from $4.39 to $3.99. I rarely have any die after acclimation unlike some I've bought from the LFS and they have never infected any of my other fish with anything. They are still sensitive in that they are the first to get wiped out at any hint of a parasite or bacteria in the water though. Petsmart also has a very lenient 14 day guarantee.

[MikeP_123]

$4 bucks for a cardinal!!!!!! You guys are getting ripped!!! We get them $.99 here and when they are on sale $.66. Same as the neons. I did read that one of two (Neons or cardinals) is never bread in mass due to the fact that they are so abundant in the wild there is no need.

$4.00!!!! Geez!

[fishsandwitch]

Originally Posted by MikeP_123

$4 bucks for a cardinal!!!!!! You guys are getting ripped!!! We get them $.99 here and when they are on sale $.66. Same as the neons. I did read that one of two (Neons or cardinals) is never bread in mass due to the fact that they are so abundant in the wild there is no need.

$4.00!!!! Geez!

You live in florida and probbably your LFS buys direct from a farm.

Because I work at a fish store and .66 cents is less than wholesale

[rasetsu]

Originally Posted by MikeP_123

$4 bucks for a cardinal!!!!!! You guys are getting ripped!!! We get them $.99 here and when they are on sale $.66. Same as the neons. I did read that one of two (Neons or cardinals) is never bread in mass due to the fact that they are so abundant in the wild there is no need.

$4.00!!!! Geez!

No, we aren't getting ripped that much. It's more like you are lucky due to location. Petsmart is more expensive, but even the LFS price them at $2.99 each and no less than $1.99 if you bargain or buy a whole bunch. With the high success rate I've had and the 14 day gurantee, Petsmart can be worth it.

[ZID ZULANDER]

Originally Posted by MikeP_123

$4 bucks for a cardinal!!!!!! You guys are getting ripped!!! We get them $.99 here and when they are on sale $.66. Same as the neons. I did read that one of two (Neons or cardinals) is never bread in mass due to the fact that they are so abundant in the wild there is no need.

$4.00!!!! Geez!

The main reason that these fish are so cheap is because of the area that you live in. Most if not all of the fish that come into this country come in through Fl. Plus it costs less to land a fish there than it does else where again because of costs. I wish that they were that price. I purchase from a major wholesale outlet here in L.A. CA. and they have cardinals starting at $1.71 when you buy 50 you can get them for $1.29 each. And remember thats wholesale to a LFS.