Where’d all the fishies go?

[3000kelvin]

First got into this hobby in Las Vegas a few years ago, pre-pandemic. The LFS seemed to always have a nice variety of fish and I didn’t see a lot of fish out of stock at online stores.

I'm returning to the hobby, this time in Chicago. Over the past month as I shop for fish and coral, I’m noticing that LFS have a limited supply of fish. Maybe a better way of saying it is that I’m not seeing a nice selection of different species.

I have no fish stores within an hour drive that have a Royal Gramma, and back in Vegas it seemed like every store had at least 2/3. I can’t find a lot of them online either. Seems like most fish I want are in short supply, and they’re what I would consider beginner fish.

Is it supply and demand? Are fish just in short supply right now?

 

[j.falk]

Hawaii fish ban.

Royal Grammas - Check KPAquatics. They usually have them in stock.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

First got into this hobby in Las Vegas a few years ago, pre-pandemic. The LFS seemed to always have a nice variety of fish and I didn’t see a lot of fish out of stock at online stores.

I'm returning to the hobby, this time in Chicago. Over the past month as I shop for fish and coral, I’m noticing that LFS have a limited supply of fish. Maybe a better way of saying it is that I’m not seeing a nice selection of different species.

I have no fish stores within an hour drive that have a Royal Gramma, and back in Vegas it seemed like every store had at least 2/3. I can’t find a lot of them online either. Seems like most fish I want are in short supply, and they’re what I would consider beginner fish.

Is it supply and demand? Are fish just in short supply right now?

Cost of freight for livestock has skyrocketed. Thats why your having issues inland. The majority of livestock comes through LAX so getting it to Vegas wasnt a big deal versus getting it to Chicago.

 

[snorklr]

know what you mean...seems most places by me 50% of their inventory is designer clowns...also it seems that they get a relatively small amount of fish in one day a week and most of it sells out immediately so if you show up on the wrong day there's nothing to see...perhaps a lot of the stuff thats tank raised only arrives in cycles when its mature enough rather than a constant supply of wild caught? i think in our post covid mini recession nobody's throwing huge sums of money into their businesses

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

Ever since COVID-19 hit, it became increasingly hard to stay in business. Most fish stores have to purchase what is going to sell instead of something that might not sell...

 

[Troylee]

Inventory has been low in Vegas also.. they get new shipments every week but it’s always the exact same fish.. the Hawaii ban has put a hurting on it I believe..