jeep
07-18-2018, 05:44 PM
Those who know me know I am very picky about my discus. I always choose to select my own in person and rarely risk ordering online. I hate bumpy foreheads and beaks. I also do not trust UPS or FedEx as far as I can throw them because anything in my area that says “live fish” on it is perceived to be a football and punted all the way across town… I always try to receive airport direct.
However, I am kind of just getting back into the hobby recently after more than 10 years away and wanted some fish. I received an email from Uncle Sam’s a few days ago promoting a nice sale. I was hesitant to order for 2 reasons. 1. I couldn’t see the fish, 2. They do not ship airport to airport unless you have a very large order, and 3. The stock was very limited and I was afraid I may be getting “leftovers”.
After a very brief conversation with someone on the phone, I decided to go for it, mainly because of their reputation I’ve read about. Due to the limited availability, and due to my limited space at this time, I ordered 3 Eruptions, 3.5” Eruptions and 3 Curipera Cross, 5” to be shipped overnight.
UPS arrived about an hour early and the box was in surprisingly good condition. When I opened the box, each discus was individually double bagged, although the bags seemed a little deflated but not leaking. The inside of the box was nice and warm with one heat pack taped on top, although it is summer time so temps were not a concern. Very nice overall packing!
I put the fish in the tank and 4 of them seemed in pretty good shape. One Eruption was totally black and parked on the bottom and another laid on its side breathing heavy. I added some salt and hydrogen peroxide and within about 2 hours all fish were swimming, although the 2 stressed fish were still stressed and dark. After about 5 hours, even though one is still a little dark, they are all up swimming, eating and pecking at each other like discus do.
For the most part, the times I have ordered sight unseen, I have received fish that were smaller than stated and some have not had desirable shape. The fish from Uncle Sam’s I received are at least the size stated and a few are noticeably larger. Their overall shapes and roundness is very nice, the colors are even and the spotteds are spotted. I feel they all will grow out to be very nice and exceptional discus.
Again, I was not optimistic because of the price and limited availability, but I must rate this as a positive experience and I would recommend Uncle Sam’s highly.
However, I am kind of just getting back into the hobby recently after more than 10 years away and wanted some fish. I received an email from Uncle Sam’s a few days ago promoting a nice sale. I was hesitant to order for 2 reasons. 1. I couldn’t see the fish, 2. They do not ship airport to airport unless you have a very large order, and 3. The stock was very limited and I was afraid I may be getting “leftovers”.
After a very brief conversation with someone on the phone, I decided to go for it, mainly because of their reputation I’ve read about. Due to the limited availability, and due to my limited space at this time, I ordered 3 Eruptions, 3.5” Eruptions and 3 Curipera Cross, 5” to be shipped overnight.
UPS arrived about an hour early and the box was in surprisingly good condition. When I opened the box, each discus was individually double bagged, although the bags seemed a little deflated but not leaking. The inside of the box was nice and warm with one heat pack taped on top, although it is summer time so temps were not a concern. Very nice overall packing!
I put the fish in the tank and 4 of them seemed in pretty good shape. One Eruption was totally black and parked on the bottom and another laid on its side breathing heavy. I added some salt and hydrogen peroxide and within about 2 hours all fish were swimming, although the 2 stressed fish were still stressed and dark. After about 5 hours, even though one is still a little dark, they are all up swimming, eating and pecking at each other like discus do.
For the most part, the times I have ordered sight unseen, I have received fish that were smaller than stated and some have not had desirable shape. The fish from Uncle Sam’s I received are at least the size stated and a few are noticeably larger. Their overall shapes and roundness is very nice, the colors are even and the spotteds are spotted. I feel they all will grow out to be very nice and exceptional discus.
Again, I was not optimistic because of the price and limited availability, but I must rate this as a positive experience and I would recommend Uncle Sam’s highly.