Difference between US and NZ fish stores.

[Ira]

I was thinking today at work...Fish stores in the US usually have the rooms with the fish dark. I assume it makes the fish a little less stressed and makes them look a bit more colorful and healthy? But here in NZ they have them in usually brightly lit rooms.

I think the US LFS's also more frequently have full grown or at least older fish than here in nz(And a better selection). All I ever see here are basically fish not much older than fry and the occasional display tank or something like a big oscar someone wanted to get rid of.

Ok, maybe not a really informative post, but I thought I'd mention it. Anyone else notice any differences between NZ and non NZ fish stores? If anyone's been to both.

[ajbroome]

Hi,

I've been to several US fish stores (as well as a few in the UK and

Australia and perhaps the odd NZ one ). I'd say, in general, the

better NZ stores are up there with a good overseas one. The prices

are similar and the range of species available is not even all that

different.

Of course, there are a few species that you just don't see in NZ shops

but in general you have to go to the really good stores in the US to

see them anyway. As usual, the best fish are held by hobbyist breeders.

I've seen some really nasty stores in the US, ones that made me

shudder and turn around to leave immediately. These have generally

been older, run down, stores where the owners have lost interest.

The really disturbing trend I've found with US stores is the proliferation

of 'chain' type shops. The 'McDonalds' of aquarium suppliers. All are

the same and mostly only stock the basics. It's shops like these that

put at risk the good, privately owned, shops which carry the different

or unusual fish, in my experience.

I see you're in the Wellington region, Ira, and I must say that that

area has been sadly lacking in a good fish shop for several years

now. To see good shops you really need to head up to Palmerston

North, Hamilton, Auckland or down to Christchurch from what I've

seen (sorry to have missed anyones favourites out, I'm generalising).

There really isn't that much that isn't available here for the general

hobbyist. Granted, not all fish are available all the time (as you might

see in bigger overseas shops) but things generally become available

if you wait long enough. It's a good idea to form a good relationship

with your favourite retailer so that you can be advised when things

of interest become available. Fish clubs are also good sources of

unusual species, if you ask around.

Anyway, just my thoughts...

Andrew.

[Ira]

When I went to Christchurch the time before last I had a look around at fish stores. I wasn't really that impressed. Of course, I could have missed the good ones. I just picked at random out of the yellow pages. There were 1 or 2 good ones though that had a relatively big selection. But still didn't seem to have anything better than the slightly less than basics. THe last trip I DID find a great place near...Ummm...Willowbanks? I was really upset I couldn't bring anything there home, and the wife rushed me through because my parents were waiting in the car.

[SoulkeepeR]

it depends, thier are some really really good ones that have the most rarest fish you can find, and thier are some that are just down right awfull, you have got to search. The one I go to one that has a real big book of diffrent fish species, all I do is write down what fish I want, then give him a 10 doller down payment and in 2-3 weeks I have my fish.