Scottish Fish Store Directory

[Kevstir]

all i know is that its in an industrial estate, if only 1 aquatic shop has opened this year round your area then that will be them..

 

[DarkEntity]

Riverside in Stirling is getting worse for fish, they have recently had dyed fish, GM modified fish aswell as tattoed Parrot fish.....plants include non aquatic plants. The staff know about the general day to day fish, but nothing about anything more. They do have a nice stock of hard goods though.

Dobbies in Stirling is very good i have to say, nice stocks of fish, Tropica plants, massive range of hard goods etc....Also there are a couple of staff members who are very knowledgeable and not just on the everyday fish either. They also get oddballs in and some really nice Plecs. (they are actually trying to get me a snakehead atm)

Any updates to add? Has anyone heard about the Aquatic Rooms new shop yet? Has it opened?

I think that Scotslasszoe has been to the new place...next time i see her online ill try remember to get her to post some info up

 

[Gremily]

I heard that Aquatic Rooms opened their new place in Tranent, I spoke to backtotropical and he said it was big, hopefully he'll post about it sometime.

 

[Kevstir]

Iv found that its best to go to Riverside on a Friday or early sat morning to get any good fish, I always used to go on a Sunday but by then most of the good stock is sold, as i said the only thing i don't like about the place is the dyed and tattooed fish, as there isn't many good fish shops about here im not prepared to boycott the place for that, i would if we had more shops though..

Totally agree with you about Dobbies m8, as Jan works at Prudential just over the road i usually pick her up on a Thursday night and head to Dobbies then riverside (they both open late on a Thursday), there is a guy in there with a pony tail that is right into his planted tanks, had a good 30 mins chat with him the other week there, he gave me a Tropica catalogue and said if there was plants i wanted to let him know and he would try and order it for me..

There tanks are always spotless as well, the water is always crystal clear with no bits floating about..

Wish i could say the same about Dobbies in Cumbernauld, been in there a couple of times and always seen dead fish..

 

[backtotropical]

I heard that Aquatic Rooms opened their new place in Tranent, I spoke to backtotropical and he said it was big, hopefully he'll post about it sometime.

Yes i've been a few times. It's called East Lothian Aquatics, and for the avoidance of doubt, it's between Tranent and Macmerry.

It's far from finished but is getting there. There are probably (i'm guessing here) 500 - 600 tanks, which are going to hold all kinds of coldwater, tropical and marine fish when the place gets properly up and running. The last time i was there (about a week ago) there were maybe 50 - 100 tanks with fish in. Patience ladies and gentlemen!

In addition to the tanks housing fish for sale, there are maybe (guessing again) 40 - 50 display tanks up the middle of the shop, and they seem to be categorised into a Juwel section, a Fluval section, etc etc................. It's the only shop i've seen which actually has space to do that.

Only 1 display tank filled so far, but it's a 600 - 700 litre tank with around 6 full size Frontosa. It's minted.

Dry goods section is large, probably the largest i've seen with every type of food, medication, hardware and other sundries available. An enormous amount of bogwood is available too.

There is a large garden area to the side of the shop and it has pond linings in it, so i assume they will have an outdoor pond section eventually too.

Plants, as with The Aquatic Rooms, are far from being Tropica standard, although that may be changing (thanks for the info three-fingers). There are plenty of them though.

I won't give ratings for variety / quality / service etc as it wouldn't be fair or accurate until the shop is properly established.

I don't claim to have been to every shop in the country, but i reckon the largest shop i had been to was probably House of Pisces in Dundee. I think East Lothian Aquatics is bigger, making it the biggest in Scotland (i think, if anyone knows different please let me know). It's definitely well worth a look, although i would maybe wait a couple of months until it is more 'finished'.

I will keep you all updated on the progress.

Cheers

BTT

P.S. Which member on here is the owner? Didn't realise he was a member.

edit: I also vote for this topic to be pinned. I'm going to mention it here if anyone wants to back me up?

 

[scotslasszoe]

Have to agree. I think East Lothian Aquatics is the biggest in scotland. I am in there nearly everyday.


They are after the year going to stock shop with Tropica Plants.

They price match everything in stock also. Very child friendly and i am sure there is plans for a soft play area for kids so adults can have time to look around shop with out distractions.

There is also hot and cold drinks facilities..

If anyone needs to know more about the new shop i can find out for them

Zoe

 

[xweeqtx]

Have to agree. I think East Lothian Aquatics is the biggest in scotland. I am in there nearly everyday.


They are after the year going to stock shop with Tropica Plants.

They price match everything in stock also. Very child friendly and i am sure there is plans for a soft play area for kids so adults can have time to look around shop with out distractions.

There is also hot and cold drinks facilities..

If anyone needs to know more about the new shop i can find out for them

Zoe

I need to make plans to go to this place, sounds awesome

Just a few things I've to say about places already rated by people -

Riverside Aquatics, Stirling

Is it really that bad now? I've not been for a few months but all the fish I got from there were as healthy as can be, and the tanks were spotless. Some of them were a bit over crowded though. Never expected to them get into handling dyed/tattooed fish though.

Dobbies, Stirling

I've bought from Dobbies twice, and will never do it again. Each and every one of the fish died within a few days of each other, yes, I was offered refunds and I did take the store credit which led to me going again. But after the same thing happened again, enough was enough for me.

 

[Kevstir]

Riverside Aquatics, Stirling

Is it really that bad now? I've not been for a few months but all the fish I got from there were as healthy as can be, and the tanks were spotless. Some of them were a bit over crowded though. Never expected to them get into handling dyed/tattooed fish though.

Was in there tonight and they had plenty of died and horribly tattooed parrot fish unfortunately.

Apart from that i wouldn't say its bad, every tank was spotless tonight and didn't see one dead fish. was tempted to buy a stunning female krib but the wife said no

Kev

 

[freerunner416]

Hey Guys,

Keve i never noticed the date on your post mate, sorry. I take it John is the baldy guy as the other one is a bit of a muppet!!

I use riverside quite a lot and although they do have the dyed fish the tanks are well looked after and in general the fish are healthy and survive when you get them home. I find that most of the fish they get in that shop is just your normal run of the mill stuff but have noticed that they have got ALOT of discus in this now. The discus are unfortunately 3 times the prices you would pay from breeders or from websites on the net but never mind.

I was at dobbies the other day as well. They rehomed my spotted talking cat for me and although i never asked for anything i was offered 4 rummy nose tetra for it to go in with the discus, i gracefully accepted without biting his hand off. The guy i spoke to had dark hair and a big beard. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.

On a side note im moving jobs to work out at Dalkieth so may have to make the effort to pop out to the new place near tranent!! Cant wait!

Anyway we better get back to rating the other shops instead of slating the stirling shops lol!!!!

 

[Fenjer]

I like A & J Aquatics in West Calder

Small but well stocked shop.

Friendly owner who always has a chat. Confesess she doesn't know everything, but is more than willing to find stuff out.


VARIETY OF STOCK 8 / 10

Mostly it's your run of the mill stock - molly's neons guppies has oscars and gouramis and some chilchids...

QUALITY OF STOCK 8/10

Never seen any dead fish, have seen some tanks with white spot - but owner wouldn't sell fish from these tanks as she was treating them
Was in the other day and a guy wanted neons, she said a lot of them had died at the weekend, but there were no obvious signs of illness, but if he still wanted to take them she'd not charge him.

SERVICE PROVIDED 10/10

Very friendly, will let you pick your fish and will even let you catch your own if your a regular.
Always asks what else you have in the tank and will advise on feeding and caring for your new fish.

DRY GOODS - 8/10

Minimal space - this is a little shop but has a variety of ornaments and rocks and some plants - plastic and real.

OTHER COMMENTS

Will offer to find out any information you need and is always at the end of the phone.
A great wee shop.

Jen

 

[Kevstir]

Keve i never noticed the date on your post mate, sorry. I take it John is the baldy guy as the other one is a bit of a muppet!!

No John is the muppet you always here before you have even got in the door lol, the baldy guy is the owner..

 

[scottsbt1690]

Marine World - Bain Street at the Barras
Variety - 7 (Mainly marines. Not Huge amount but will order anything)
Quality - 10 (All very healthy fishies!)
Staff - 10 (very helpful)
---------------

Waterworld Aquatics - Also on Paisley Road West
Variety – 4 (Had to close their Marine section, but quite a few tropicals)
Quality – 8 (Very clean)
Staff – 8
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The Aquarium Shop – Next to Terry’s Tattoos, Glasgow
Variety – 8 (Well stocked, Some very nice catfish and other unusual fishes)
Quality – 7+ (Clean, Tanks and shop are old, could do with a refurbishment. Fish healthy on the whole.)
Staff – 8


m&r dogfish
variety- 8
quality- 6 (used to be top whack but went down hill big time)
staff- 5/6

coral reef
variety- 10
quality- 8
staff- 8/9 (the lady owner if a bit huffy but helpful enough, the rst of the lads and lassies are good, esp angus)

aquarium design
variety- 10
quality- 8
staff- 6/7 (fairly nice but not very talkative but if youi ask they'll give you help, always a very quiet shop no one talking etc)

dobbies garden centre
old inns roundabout
cumbernauld
glasgow

variety- 9
quality- 8
staff- 7

very spacey, very clean but very pricey, but worth it as the fish are good uns, though not all dobbies garden centres do fish and the ones that do arent as anywhere as good as this one

paisley pet centre
glasgow rd
paisley

ratings
variety 7-8
quality 7-8, usually good but today the tanks looked like they needed a bit of work
with dead fish in a fair few tanks, and also a walking cat fish around 10"-12" dying fast

staff 7-8 just the owner himself




neon gecko
glasgow rd
paisley

ratings
variety 9
quality 9
staff 9

not the biggest of shops, for tanks as reptile and exotic birds are the bigger core of his business, but some really good fish at real good prices, a bit smelly though as in wiffy with all the snakes and lizards, tortoises, etc, and he has a load of different parrots in every time i go in, i think i will be chasing an african grey real soon myself, very nice!!!


barra-cuda
london rd
glasgow

across from the famous glasgow "barras" market, hence the name

variety- 9
quality- 9
staff- 8/9

not too many tanks but nice and clean and healthy, more fish than reptiles this one and the young guy was really helpful, i was asking about one or 2 fish they had, his opinion and advice was good, prices were fairly good too, gave a me a golden wonder panchax for 1.50 pounds, also got a 2 spot catfish from him, real nice and healthy, and 2 dwarf pangasius, but he was quick to tell me that these were fairly new to him and he didnt have a good knowledge of it,


broadwood aquatics

not been here for a bit but am headign over on sat so here's an idea of what they
used to be like

variety- 9
quality-9
staff- 7




scott

 

[Gremily]

Just been out to East Lothian Aquatics, there's pretty much no info online about it so if you're planning a visit the address is:
1 Anfield Farm
Eh33 1EA

Edinburgh First bus X8 gets there in about 35 mins from Princes Street.

It looked like there were about 140ish tropical tanks, about 30 coldwater and around 90 marine. Although only about a quarter of the tropical/cold had fish and no marine at the moment. Also as has been said before there's a nice selection of dry goods and lots of tanks out on display. They have a really nice frontosa tank with some very cute fry (~2 inches!) in with some adults, there's also a big arowana as well as a large unset up cylinder tank which will look really impressive when it's finished. Also lots of bog wood and some plants!

Definitely will be worth another visit in a few months and will have a huge selection of livestock once all the tanks are full, but at the moment the selection is pretty limited.

 

[Sofia]

Water Wonders

Gorgie Road, Edinburgh

Pretty much the only fish shop I go to.

VARIETY OF STOCK
7/10
Hardware is kept on the ground floor and fish in the basement. It's currently having a revamp and expanding it's small marine section. the rest of the basement has tropical and coldwater fish and a good amphibian section, quite a nice variety of tropicals from your basic neons to oscars and some really odd fish i've never seen before!!! Well stocked hardware section with all the basics you'll need for a tank. Good variety of bogwood and stones and live/plastic plants and any other bits for your tank, I've neer needed to look elswhere for my tank hardware.
QUALITY OF STOCK
9/10
I have only ever seen one dead fish in the two years I've been going there. The tanks are crystal clear and the fish are very healthy.
SERVICE PROVIDED
9/10
Currently has 3 staff. The owner knows everything about fish!! They also have a guy who has kept and bred fish for over 10 years and knows a lot about plants. They are always up for a chat and are very friendly and passionate about fish which is nice

Don't mean to be picky but it's pretty hard to read some of the posts.
It's easier to read and distinguish one shop from another if people took time on the layout of their posts.

 

[badboy1690]

EXCITING UPDATE

I have been informed by "@@@@@" ( a member on this forum) that the owner of the Aquatic rooms on Leith Walk, Edinburgh has bought a warehouse in tranent and is in the process of creating the best aquatic centre in Scotland! It'll be completed In January-February!!

just thought I'd add this just now and update it in January-February!!

cheers @@@@@ for the info mate!

and thanks 3-fingers for getting another shop down

its open and it is HUGE!!!!!! has pretty much everything you could want!