For years, That Fish Place That Pet Place on Centerville Road in Lancaster, PA, has been a go-to destination for pet enthusiasts. As someone living just 25 miles away, I’ve witnessed this family-owned business, established in 1973 and later sold to long-term employees Rick and Chrisi Amour in 2015, evolve over time. While they continue to excel in dry goods and pet food, my recent experiences have highlighted a concerning decline in the care and quality of their fish and coral selection.
My most recent visit, unfortunately, solidified my decision to seek elsewhere for my aquarium livestock needs. Intending to purchase a Tomini Tang I had seen listed on their website, I called ahead to confirm availability and inquire about their stock. The young employee I spoke with was helpful and agreed to hold a Tomini Tang for me to examine after work.
Upon arrival, I was shown two juvenile Tomini Tangs, recently acquired just four days prior and housed in separate tanks connected to a shared saltwater system. When I inquired about their feeding regimen, I was informed that all fish were fed exclusively frozen mysis shrimp, neglecting the essential algae or nori supplementation crucial for Tangs. Observing their feeding behavior, one Tang readily consumed the mysis, while the other seemed to reject it. Upon closer inspection of the latter, I noticed a distinct white spot between its eyes. Examining both fish under an LED light revealed a disheartening truth: both were visibly infected with ich, the second being in significantly worse condition. This observation strongly suggested a lack of proper quarantine protocols for new arrivals at That Fish Place That Pet Place.
Seeking a responsible solution, I inquired about the possibility of quarantining and treating one of the Tangs, requesting to be contacted when it was healthy. The response from the employee in charge was truly disheartening. He expressed uncertainty about holding the fish for an extended period, stating, “the fish would definitely sell over the weekend as it is,” implying the manager would likely prioritize sales over treatment.
Astonished by this blatant disregard for animal welfare, I directly questioned the ethical implications of knowingly selling diseased fish. “You would put this fish back in the tank with ich and sell it to someone as it is? You don’t know how sick this fish really could be and you would do that?” His reply, confirming my worst fears, was a nonchalant, “yeah, it will sell, someone might buy him and treat him themself too.”
This alarming admission marked a turning point for me. It became clear that the well-being of fish and livestock at That Fish Place That Pet Place was secondary to immediate sales. My disappointment extends beyond just the fish; on previous visits, I’ve observed similar neglect in their coral frag tanks. Just weeks prior, I noticed freshly glued frags in a visibly dirty tank. When I inquired about the tank’s condition, an employee vaguely acknowledged, “yeah were really running behind on that.”
This shift in priorities at That Fish Place That Pet Place is reminiscent of a “chop shop” mentality, prioritizing rapid turnover over quality care. While they source their livestock rather than fragmenting corals in-house, the neglectful conditions and sales-driven approach are deeply concerning. It’s disheartening to witness such a decline in what was once my preferred local fish store. This experience serves as a cautionary tale for fellow reef tank enthusiasts and highlights the importance of scrutinizing livestock health and care practices, even at established pet stores like That Fish Place That Pet Place.
