Guppies are a popular fish for both beginner and experienced aquarium enthusiasts alike. They are colorful, hardy, and relatively easy to care for. If one was to count the benefits of having this freshwater fish in their aquarium, the list would go on for pages. So, if you’re looking to buy guppies, it’s no surprise. But there are a few things you need to know before making your purchase. In this article, you will find your answer on where to buy guppies and how to check if your guppy is healthy. So make sure you read this till the end to find the answers.
Where to buy Guppies: Options
When it comes to where to buy guppies, you have a few options. You can purchase them from your local pet store, online retailers, or directly from breeders. Each option has its own set of pros and cons that we will explore in more detail below.
Local Pet Stores
The most obvious choice when looking for where to buy guppies is your local pet store. Pet stores usually have a good selection of fish, including guppies. One of the benefits of buying from a pet store is that you can see the fish before you purchase them and they also have cheap guppies for sale. This way, you can check for any visible signs of illness or injury and make sure the fish are active and healthy. We will talk more about how you can check the health of your guppies further in this article.
Another benefit of buying guppies from a pet store is that the staff can usually give you some tips on how to care for your new fish. They can also help you to choose the right tank mates for your guppy if you’re not sure.
On the downside, pet stores often don’t have the best selection when it comes to fish. Another downside of buying from a pet store is that they usually don’t sell purebred guppies. So, if you’re looking for a specific color or type of guppy, you may not find it at a pet store.
Online Retailers
If you’re looking for a larger selection of fish, then buying online is a good option. Online retailers usually have a much wider range of fish to choose from than pet stores. They also sell purebred guppies, so if you’re looking for a specific type of fish, you’re more likely to find it online.
One of the benefits of buying online is that you can often find good deals and discounts. Many online retailers also offer free shipping, which can save you a lot of money. Shipping on fish is expensive, it can cost you more than the fish itself. You can say bye-bye to cheap guppies for sale.
The downside of buying online is that you can’t see the fish before you purchase them. This means that it’s harder to tell if they are healthy or not. Also, your fish can die in transit after the online retailer ships it to you.
Directly from Breeders
Lastly, the breeders. A breeder is a person who keeps and propagates fish, often of a particular species or group. If you want to make sure you’re getting healthy fish, then buying directly from breeders is the best option. This way, you can see the fish before you purchase them and ask the breeder any questions you have. Many breeders also have purebred guppies, so if you’re looking for a specific type of fish, this is where to buy guppies.
One downside of buying from breeders is that they are often more expensive than other options, so if you’re looking for cheap guppies for sale then this option might not be viable for you.
Examining The Health of Your Guppies
Now that we’ve looked at where to buy guppies, let’s take a look at how you can check if your guppy is healthy. There are a few things you can do to make sure your fish is healthy.
Movement
Guppies are hardy fish so make sure the fish is active and alert. A healthy fish will be swimming around and exploring its environment. If the fish is just floating around or hiding, then it’s likely sick.
Eyes
Another way to check if your guppy is healthy is to look at its eyes. Healthy fish have clear eyes with no cloudy areas. The pupils should also be the same size. If you see any redness, swelling, or cloudy areas, then the fish is likely sick and you should not purchase it.
Fins
The fins of a healthy guppy should be intact and not ripped or torn. The fins should also be free of any parasites. If you see any signs of damage or parasites, then the fish is likely sick and you should not purchase it.
Gills
The gills of a healthy guppy should not be red and free of any mucus or parasites. If you see any signs of damage, redness, or parasites, then the fish is likely sick and you should not purchase it.
Where to Buy Guppies: Best Place in Australia
Australia is a huge country and there are many places. It’s not hard to decide where to buy guppies, but it would be hard to ignore microaquaticshop.com when looking for the best place in Australia. They are experienced and have a good reputation. They offer a wide range of guppies, from common to rare strains. And yes, you can find cheap guppies for sale there as well.
The prices are very reasonable and the quality is also very good. You can find yourself some great deals if you sign up for the newsletter on their website. Lastly, they offer an alive arrival guarantee on livestock so you can be sure that your fish will reach you in good health.