For years, That Pet Place on Centerville Road in Lancaster, PA, has been a go-to destination for pet enthusiasts. Established as a family-owned business in 1973 and later acquired by long-term employees in 2015, this establishment has garnered a reputation within the community. As a local hobbyist residing just 25 miles away, I have been a frequent customer for many years. While That Pet Place continues to excel in providing dry goods and pet food, and maintains a strong community presence, recent experiences have unfortunately revealed a concerning decline in the quality of care for their fish and coral selections.
My most recent visit to That Pet Place will likely be my last when it comes to purchasing livestock. My intention was to acquire a Tomini Tang, having seen it listed on their website. A call ahead confirmed stock, and a helpful employee agreed to hold one for me to inspect after work. Upon arrival, I was shown two juvenile Tomini Tangs, recently introduced to the system just four days prior and housed in separate tanks connected to a shared saltwater loop. When inquiring about their feeding regimen, I was informed that all fish are fed exclusively frozen mysis shrimp, with no supplemental algae or nori provided – a critical dietary component for Tangs. Observing the fish, one tang was rejecting the mysis, while the other appeared to consume it. Initially, this seemed within the realm of typical behavior for new arrivals. However, closer inspection revealed a white spot between the eyes of the first tang, and several white dots along the backside of the other.
Suspecting Ich, we requested to examine the first Tang more closely under an LED light. The examination confirmed our fears: the fish was visibly covered in Ich, a common parasitic infection in marine fish. The second Tang, when inspected similarly, presented an even more severe infestation. This observation strongly suggests a lack of proper quarantine procedures for new arrivals at That Pet Place.
Inquiring about the possibility of quarantining and treating a Tang, with a follow-up call once the fish was healthy, I was met with a truly disheartening response. The employee in charge stated he was unsure if they could hold the fish for that duration, anticipating a quick sale over the weekend. When questioned further about the ethical implications of selling visibly sick fish, the response was a blunt acknowledgment that the fish would likely sell regardless, with the assumption that the buyer might treat it themselves.
This blatant disregard for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership is what solidified my decision to no longer purchase fish or coral from That Pet Place. This experience, coupled with previous observations of neglected coral frags – on a prior visit a few weeks earlier, I noted freshly glued frags in visibly dirty tanks, with staff acknowledging being “behind” on maintenance – paints a concerning picture. It evokes the unfortunate image of a “chop shop” mentality, prioritizing sales over the health and well-being of the animals, despite sourcing their livestock rather than propagating in-house.
It is truly disheartening to witness the decline of what was once a reputable local fish store. This experience serves as a cautionary tale for fellow reef keeping enthusiasts and highlights a significant lapse in livestock care at That Pet Place. Potential customers should be aware of these issues and exercise extreme caution when considering purchasing fish or coral from this establishment.
