Hi folks,
Just wanting to start a thread asking all members where there favourite and least favourite fish stores are. If that is OK.
I am just getting myself started again into Oscars and I need to know where in the UK their reputable supply for fish, filters, heaters etc etc.
Obviously Ebay is a big thing these days and I was given craigslist for the internet. But there is nothing like walking about a store looking at all the fish. ( dream land really lol )
We used to have a bird supplier in Perth and all the local amateur breeders would'nt go near them with a barge poll. They said the supplier treated their birds like something you see on tv. They don't do birds anymore, funnily enough.
We have a large pet supplies in Perth at the retail centre but that is it when it comes to fish, just your usual guppies, angels and a couple of cichlids.
If members could post the name of their shops in their area, whether it is Glasgow or Edinburgh. That would be great. Even giving their oppinion and experience with the suppliers. I would love to pop through and have a look at them. Even further ones down south in england I dare say when i get their names they will have a web site.
I have'nt seen any Oscars in any pet shops up here and if anybody could tell me where they get their Oscar's that would be great.

Jamie

hi jamie, sorry, i could be of no use for you... i am a million miles
away.....

however, i will just give some good pointers...no matter how small or big your
lfs is, just take a look of their merchandises.... tanks and fishes.... if they are
properly taken care of.... you will be at good hand... if you see tanks with sick
fish, then you need to look some fish store around.... they don't deserve you there
you need to ind a better fish store over there....

I'm down in East Yorkshire, near Hull, and we have a few, but the one i rate is believe it or not situated within a garden centre, the staff are VERY knowlegable, they really look after all their animals, and are happy to give advice and talk to you... I never go anywhere else now, even their other customers will help, as one did yesterday about my toads...

they are called Coletta & Tyson, on Hull Road Woodmansey (just outside Beverley)...

they have a big old 12" oscar that I am DYING to make an offer for, I go see him every time I go, he is in a VERY small tank with some catfish and I just wanna rehome him...

that said, he is in excellent condition and I am sure he is very well looked after..

all the best, this wont be a lot of help but it shows there are good LFS out there..

Tony

im just up road from tony in north yorkshire, best is, believe it or not, a diversified farm downt he road from me called aquatic fanatic, sells reptiles n stuff too.

other than that i liek the york branch of maidenhead aquatics

try my best to avoid pets at home but im only basing that on the one in york which may be a one off but is crap

One other thing.. Dobbies in Perth just of the by-pass do fish too. I will pop down and have a look sometime soon.
I dropped a question in the 'seeding a new filter' and am looking for advice on setting it up from scratch. Trying to get my head round this bacteria thing lol
Thanks anyway guys.

Jamie

Hey guys, tread very carefully if you're going to criticize any business on this thread. The chances are it will get back to them at some stage and we don't want any trouble. If what you say is true then there is no problem.

The two stores I use here in Torbay are Southwest Water Gardens based in Paignton, and Aquator in Torquay. Both shops are very friendly, well-maintained run by people who know what they're talking about. I would have no hesitation in recommending these two shops.

Cheers OFL,
I did'nt think when I asked about non-reputable shops, I should not of asked for these traders, (unless it is true of course as u said) better to say I didnt like them when I shopped there or something non- derogative.

Thanks again bud.

Jamie

In my experience I have found small family run businesses most helpful and friendly. Having said that I have Maidenhead aquatics near me who are also good,large selection if slightly pricey.

I think I prefer small businesses to very large companies. I'm sure that Maidenhead Aquatics are very good, after all they've got stores all over the place, but when you're dealing with the actual owners personally I often think they care a little bit more about how they deal with you.

Hey boss,I didn't realise you come from Devon. Me and a few friends used to go camping in Paignton. We used to stay at a place called Barton Pines.

Nigel

Sorry,just realised I've gone off the subject!

Yes, I'm actually in Brixham which is right next to Paignton. And I do know Barton Pines, it's a few hundred yards from new barn farm, a carp fishery that I often fish. Small world isn't it?

Sure is. We had some good times down there,well worth the long drive from Waliington.

Nigel.