Well, I was in three pet stores today looking for just the right calico fantail and in 2 of the 3 stores I found some that I liked but all were suffering from ick and or had clamped fins. This is common around here and maybe in general but ive decided its time to set up a bare tank ( i have an spare 10 gal) and buy an icky one that I like, hopefully at a discount and treat it and get it healthy so my buddy Jaws can have a friend. Im really getting an idea the goldfish along with bettas may be very mistreated in shipping.

Many of the box pet stores do not take very good care of goldies. I know the 2 in my area, one dose a pretty good job and the other, I just shake my head everytime I'm in there. I have purchased one goldie from the second store, they had just unpacked there new shipment. I kept her in a QT tank for over 1 month, she was about 1-1/2total size. Now just over a year later she is very healthy and about 6" total size.
If you want really show quality try the following 2 sites:
goldfish sales and goldfish information from Rain Garden
Goldfish Connection: Goldfish Care, Goldfish, Goldfish Health, Goldfish Disease, Goldfish Pictures, Goldfish Ponds, Goldfish Types
I have never actually purchased from either one but know alot of people who have and they always get beautiful, healthy goldies.

__________________
J-Pond
http://j-pond.myminicity.com/

please click on the egg/baby to help it grow:

Thanks for the links J-Pond. Im not really looking for show quality fish but I do like to window shop. Its odd to me that the chain stores while, having icky goldfish seem to have some pretty healthy looking tropicals, at least one of the two chains I looked in wednesday did have. The independent store I visit is where I got my one fantail and he has been healthy and doing well. The lady there seems knowledgeable and honest, also told me to come on a friday afternoon when their stock arrives. So if time permits I may try that.

If you're trying to rescue it might not be best to purchase abused animals because you reward the abusers and make them keep doing it...try rescuing from classified ads? : 3