Tampa Bay Cichlids

"I ordered two four fish colonies and the packaging was the best I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve ordered fish online man y times). All 8 were healthy and active immediately after arriving in their new tank. They seemed far less stressed than often happens. The owner was very responsive to my inquiries and this will be my first stop when I need more cichlids for a larger tank. Thank you Tampa Bay Cichlids!"

"I had the same negative experience with Tampa Bay Cichlids that several other customers have described in their reviews: The owner David Estes did not honor his guarantee. I ordered a pair (1 male, 1 female) of Labidochromis chismulae, but received two females. I sent David photos and requested a male. He made no attempt to remedy the situation beyond indicating that both fish looked like males, which is absurd given that clown labs are highly dimorphic. (The photo on the left shows the two clown labs David sold me. The photo on the right is a male clown lab that I purchased from a different seller; the markings on the male are unmistakable.) Further, David communicated as though he was put out doing me a favor, and seemed completely indifferent to customer satisfaction and loyalty."

"Beautiful fish great service. I ordered 6 male fish from Tampa bay cichlids they all came in great health but after a couple months I thought that some might not be males I contacted them and David Estes was helpful to inform me that it might take some time with different fish to mature and get their color to contact them back after some time and they would be glad to replace them. Time passed I contacted David and he let me pick out a couple males to replace mine. Over all you just have to understand and be patient with fish."

"I’ve ordered twice from TBC and both times had positive experiences. My second order was missing a fish and had one DOA which David had replacements set to ship the following week. No complaints. The stock I’ve received are beautiful, healthy fish! Coming up on 9 months since my order and I wanted to add a few pictures of the Lake Victorians they sent me. They're doing really well!"

"I Purchased 8 guaranteed male cichlids from Tampa bay cichlids. One was dead when they arrived. However I did contact them and they did replace the one dead fish instantly. But after after a few weeks now, it appears that I only have 4 of 8 are males. So half of my order is females. I was skeptical when they said 1.25-2.0 inch males. That’s awful small to guarantee a male from my experience. I will say all of my fish definitely came on the smaller size of what they offer. So I would order the next size up if you’re going to order online like I did. All around I wouldn’t order online again. I ended up spending around $225 dollars for 4 fish vs 8 that I was anticipating. And the out of the 4 females 2 appeared to be the same breeds. Which I ordered 7 breeds."