Scottish Fish Store Directory

[Nossie]

Aquacadabra 2
Edinburgh

Passed this shop on several occassions but never thought of going in because it didn't look very big and I was already an Aquatic Room fan. However, over the last few months I've felt the quality of fish and service in the AR has slipped (and it pains me to say that) so I thought I'd pop into Aquacadabra and see what it was like. It's surprisingly big, easy to move around and really not what I expected from the outside! The selection of tropical fish was small compared with the AR, there wasn't much in the way of marine fish in either but what there was seemed healthy and the tanks clean. The coldwater fish section left the AR standing though. The tanks were clean, the fish happy and active. Too often lately I've decided against buying coldwater fish in the Aquatic Rooms because they've been lethargic and sickly sometimes showing signs of whitespot. It was nice to see as much effort put into simple goldfish and moors as into the more exotic fish.

I'd definately go back.

STAFF
8/10
I didn't buy fish so I can't judge how knowlegeable the staff were but they seemed very keen to help. I did overhear one member of staff advising a customer on a new set up and the advice was sound.

Quality of stock
9/10
Fish were all healthy and active. Didn't spot a dead or letharic fish at the time I was in. Couldn't give it 10/10 because I didn't buy fish so can't judge.

Variety
8/10
Usual stuff. Am finding that more and more often. It'd be nice to see some more unusual tropical fish but most shops tend to stock similar things.
The reptile section really did it for me though. I can feel a new hobby coming on....

Due to the seemingly never ending road works in Leith Walk, the Aquatic Rooms are harder to get to and park near that Aquacadabra and I hope that isn't affecting their business. Despite that, Aquacadabra was nowhere near as busy as I've seen the Aquatic Rooms (it was a Saturday afternoon). Aquacadabra is better laid out and easier to get round. However, the AR guys are knowledgeable and the shop has a great friendly atmosphere. Both could do with improving their plant selection and quality. Basically they've both got masses going for them and it's nice to have a choice. I'm glad I popped in!

 

[three-fingers]

Despite that, Aquacadabra was nowhere near as busy as I've seen the Aquatic Rooms (it was a Saturday afternoon).

Did you see me? (guy with the ponytail )

About two months after writing my review for the place on this thread, I got a job working there Saturdays .

Glad you gave us a good review, was going to defend the place after Bluejay's review but thought I'd be too biased, and everyone is entitled to share their opinion anyway .

IMO where I work and the Aquatic Rooms are the only two decent places inside Edinburgh. I really dislike Water Wonders for many reasons, but I don't think it's fair to do a review since I work in competing shop lol.

Just also like to add that I went to Dobbies Stirling while passing through a few months ago and found them to be great, bought a halfbeak from them (last one left ). They staff member I talked to was very good and enthusiastic too .

 

[Camad727]

I was searching through the 13 pages of the Uk directory and was getting pretty bored spending all that time looking through mainly english stores. So i thought i'd set up a new one just for scottish stores. I will start again as some of the reviews in the UK Directory are a couple of years old now.

I'll set it out the same:

NAME
VARIETY OF STOCK (out of 10) + COMMENTS
QUALITY OF STOCK (out of 10) + COMMENTS
SERVICE PROVIDED (out of 10) + COMMENTS


Deffinitely Pin this!

There arent any description for my toon, Aberdeen, so here goes.

There aren't many shops available in Aberdeen, so we kind of get a raw deal with aquatic stores. And because of the cold winters, the stock is very limited at that time.

Ill give descriptions of other shops once Iv been to them more.

Holburn Tropicals:

Variety: 8/10

Their tropical fish variety has been quite poor on the many occasions I have visited, they have all the standard tropical fish in stock that one would expect. Guppies, swordtails, tetras. They do however have a few lake malawi tanks which offer a variety of mbuna cichlids, which is quite usefull for starting that kind of tank. Their best stock is with their marine section. They have many tanks in another part of the shop dedicated entirely to marines, they have many specimens and a selection of invertibrates and live rock. The plants offered is limited, and equipment is scarce. HOWEVER YOU CAN ORDER ALMOST ANY SPECIES OF FISH FROM THEM AND THEY WILL GET THEM, THAT IS WHY I GAVE IT AND 8

Quality: 8/10

Tanks are generally quite clean, however there are the odd tanks with copious amounts of algae.

Service: 4/10

There is ussually only one woman there, and she is always in such a hurry for you to get a fish that it makes you feel a bit uncomfortable. When you ask for advice she will seem unwilling to explain things, she isnt very helpfull.


If you are in the Aberdeen area and are feeling at a loss because of the lack of shops in the area, you are not alone. Other than Holburn Tropicals I would recommend A1 Aquatics, I have only been there once to buy 4 really healthy clown loaches that I have had for 3 months now. It seems like a really good store and probably one of the best in the ABerdeen area. It is located down by SUnset boulevard (the beach)

 

[backtotropical]

Aquacadabra, Edinburgh.
I just thought i'd get my tuppence worth in as it is the current discussion topic anyway.

I went to Aquacadabra (and the aquatic rooms) religiously for many years. Both are good shops with their individual pros and cons which i think have been covered above.

I stopped going to Aquacadabra roughly a year ago because i bought a Hydor Koralia pump from them which turned out to make an awful buzzing noise when i got it home. So i took it back a few days later only to be met with a guy who was reluctant to even believe me at first. He took the pump from me, put it in one of their tanks and of course, like when you go to the doctor and try to cough, the thing didn't make the noise.

He tried to tell me that there was nothing they could do unless i could prove it was faulty. As a loyal long-term customer, thats really not what i was expecting. I insisted he speak to the manageress (who i know) and he did. He then said they could send it back to the manufacturer to be tested and if it was faulty, i would then get a relacement, but it might take 6 weeks. Anyone who knows anything about the law will know that this is not the case and the retailer has an obligation to replace faulty goods. I had to explain this to him over and over again, before i demanded to speak to the owner (who i also know). He went away to get the owner but came back without him, to advise me that they would replace it for me this time.

The final outcome i suppose was good in that they did exchange the faulty product, but getting there was no fun and it really put me off shopping there. I've never been back. It's a real shame because i really liked that shop, i knew all the staff and the owner etc etc. I now get everything i need from the other shops around the area and don't really miss it to be honest.

Maybe i'll go back one day, but i've certainly been put off for now.

 

[Nossie]

Despite that, Aquacadabra was nowhere near as busy as I've seen the Aquatic Rooms (it was a Saturday afternoon).

Did you see me? (guy with the ponytail )

Blonde hair? yip we noticed you

My review was genuine. I like the shop and we'll definately be back. The bearded dragons are so kewl.

 

[Nossie]

Aquacadabra, Edinburgh.

Maybe i'll go back one day, but i've certainly been put off for now.

It's crap when you find somewhere you like but a bad experience puts you off. I've been like that lately with the Aquatic Rooms. However, these things happen and I am sure in both cases it was just a bit unfortunate. I'll certainly be back to the Aquatic Rooms and I hope you decide to go back into Aquacadabra and give it another chance. You may find things have changed. Let us know.....

 

[Darkstar]

Surprised not to see D&I Tropicals listed as yet...excellent shop, run by a very friendly and very knowledgable guy.

D & I Tropicals Ltd
33 King Street
Lossiemouth
Moray

 

[backtotropical]

Aquacadabra, Edinburgh.

Maybe i'll go back one day, but i've certainly been put off for now.

It's crap when you find somewhere you like but a bad experience puts you off. I've been like that lately with the Aquatic Rooms. However, these things happen and I am sure in both cases it was just a bit unfortunate. I'll certainly be back to the Aquatic Rooms and I hope you decide to go back into Aquacadabra and give it another chance. You may find things have changed. Let us know.....

I'm sure i will at some point Nossie.

In total contrast, Outside Inside Aquatics in Haddington sold me a Dennerle pressurised CO2 kit just after Xmas. Turns out it had a faulty regulator and wouldn't work. I took it back and Hugh (the owner) said, "No problem, heres a new one". The new one works fine.

That is the kind of after sale service you should expect to receive, and I absolutely commend them on it.

Well done Outside Inside Aquatics!!

 

[backtotropical]

On another point, has anyone been to WRG Discus in Edinburgh?

I've just stumbled across it by mistake, didn't know it existed. I know what i'll be doing this weekend then......................

 

[Nossie]

On another point, has anyone been to WRG Discus in Edinburgh?

I've just stumbled across it by mistake, didn't know it existed. I know what i'll be doing this weekend then......................

I'm slightly confused! Is this guy breeding and selling discus or is he just punting his tanks out for folk to neb at?

 

[backtotropical]

WRG Discus, Edinburgh

Well, i went for a look at the weekend. I was expecting a shop to be honest, but it's a residential address.

The guy has a fish house in his back garden which now houses around 30 tanks. Mainly breeding pairs of discus, but a few breeding angels too.

The place was a bit messy but he seemed to be able to breed the discus, so he must be doing something right.

Probably worth a look for all you Discus enthusiasts as he claims they are imported from Stendker Discus in Germany.

 

[backtotropical]

Aquacadabra, Edinburgh.

Maybe i'll go back one day, but i've certainly been put off for now.

It's crap when you find somewhere you like but a bad experience puts you off. I've been like that lately with the Aquatic Rooms. However, these things happen and I am sure in both cases it was just a bit unfortunate. I'll certainly be back to the Aquatic Rooms and I hope you decide to go back into Aquacadabra and give it another chance. You may find things have changed. Let us know.....

I'm sure i will at some point Nossie.

Well, today i was passing so decided to drop into Aquacadabra.

They still have much the same FW fish selection as always, tanks seem well maintained, a few display tanks around the place, lacking on the plants side of things but most LFSs do, even a freshwater stingray was on sale so the're obviously cornering the oddball market now too (or maybe its just a one-off, i'm not sure).

I walked into the marine section (i used to keep marines and rated Aquacadabra as having the best marine section in Edinburgh). The tanks were totally bare, the fish were sparce, and the fish they did have were ill or dying. There was a large (maybe 6-8") Panther Grouper lying on the bottom trying not to turn upside down, a Coral beauty with whitespot in another tank, several other fish in various tanks unable to swim correctly or looking otherwise ill. It was really terrible.

On the upside, they do have a nice selection of corals which looked quite healthy but the marine fish were an absolute disaster. They didn't even have them marked as 'not for sale'.

Maybe it was a one-off disaster they've had, but after not visiting for a year and then going back to that is enough to put me off permanently. I don't think i'll be back. It's a real shame, the shop used to be really good. I don't know if its changed management or something, but it's certainly went downhill.

Sorry Aquacadabra, it pains me to say it, but "What went wrong?"

 

[Nossie]

Aquacadabra, Edinburgh.

Maybe i'll go back one day, but i've certainly been put off for now.

It's crap when you find somewhere you like but a bad experience puts you off. I've been like that lately with the Aquatic Rooms. However, these things happen and I am sure in both cases it was just a bit unfortunate. I'll certainly be back to the Aquatic Rooms and I hope you decide to go back into Aquacadabra and give it another chance. You may find things have changed. Let us know.....

I'm sure i will at some point Nossie.

Well, today i was passing so decided to drop into Aquacadabra.

They still have much the same FW fish selection as always, tanks seem well maintained, a few display tanks around the place, lacking on the plants side of things but most LFSs do, even a freshwater stingray was on sale so the're obviously cornering the oddball market now too (or maybe its just a one-off, i'm not sure).

I walked into the marine section (i used to keep marines and rated Aquacadabra as having the best marine section in Edinburgh). The tanks were totally bare, the fish were sparce, and the fish they did have were ill or dying. There was a large (maybe 6-8") Panther Grouper lying on the bottom trying not to turn upside down, a Coral beauty with whitespot in another tank, several other fish in various tanks unable to swim correctly or looking otherwise ill. It was really terrible.

On the upside, they do have a nice selection of corals which looked quite healthy but the marine fish were an absolute disaster. They didn't even have them marked as 'not for sale'.

Maybe it was a one-off disaster they've had, but after not visiting for a year and then going back to that is enough to put me off permanently. I don't think i'll be back. It's a real shame, the shop used to be really good. I don't know if its changed management or something, but it's certainly went downhill.

Sorry Aquacadabra, it pains me to say it, but "What went wrong?"

Yip we were in last weekend as well and saw the same thing. I have to say it's been inconsistant to say the least. I went in one day and there were loads of fish in the tanks, all looking healthy and active, lots of choice and we had a lovely time looking about. Went in this weekend and the place was bare. They've had rays in before (as have the Aquatic Rooms) but I don't think I've been in Aquacadabra and seen them have their marine tanks look anything other than empty. There didn't even seem to be much in the way of lizards etc either so maybe they're having issues with suppliers or getting their ordering right. The plants were pretty poor too, not very green and some looked half dead. It took a while to get served as well although we did get helpful service when we sought it out. Still think their coldwater fish are in better shape than the ARs which I think seem to see them as the kiddie (or feeder) section and aren't particularily serious about taking care of them.

Pity we can't take the best of both shops and mash them together into one great shop.

Still, you went in and that was our deal. I suppose I better go back into the AR now to keep up my end of the bargain. Hopefully the traffic chaos has subsided and you can actually get near the place. They must have been hit really badly by the road works. Damn shame.

 

[three-fingers]

Maybe it was a one-off disaster they've had, but after not visiting for a year and then going back to that is enough to put me off permanently. I don't think i'll be back. It's a real shame, the shop used to be really good. I don't know if its changed management or something, but it's certainly went downhill.

Sorry Aquacadabra, it pains me to say it, but "What went wrong?"

Since you asked, though I don't like sounding biased .
That was...about 3 weeks ago you went in there, in which case the previous week something was wrong with the RO unit and when there was a big water change done, but nothing showed up on tests when I did them, there were quite a few losses so we never got any more stock until everything was fixed and running smooth.
The next week everything was fine, except a whole batch (loads of them)of turbo snails and Mexican turbo snails died over night after coming in (couldn't find anything wrong with the water, and all the anenomes were doing great). I was told it was a bad batch - the stench coming from the tank was horrible, I had to close it off from the rest of the system and strip it down completely (really, really not fun lol).

So there wont be much stock in at all except what was remaining and some fish from people no longer wanting their tanks, though I don't know if there's been any last week or this week since I've not been in. The fact that there's white spot does suggest new stock, as we only get that when it comes in on a fish - downstairs the whole system has a massive UV steriliser system that's really overkill for the total volume of water, nothing can spread from fish to fish .

The groupers healthy (honest!), he's just pretty much lethargic when it's not around feeding time because he's in a boring plain blue tank - but there's nowhere else for him to go. He's more active when he has tankmates, but it's not so often we get big enough fish in. He sits in funny positions, but I've never seen him how I think you've described him, groupers do funny things. He's been in the shop for ages after being brought in, poor soul, nobody who has the right size of tank seems to want him .

Yip we were in last weekend as well and saw the same thing.

Seems I'm off one Saturday and the whole place falls apart .

People should just visit when I'm in! What's described here really disappoints me compared to what I see, sounds like I'll be busy on Saturday .

 

[backtotropical]

Still, you went in and that was our deal. I suppose I better go back into the AR now to keep up my end of the bargain.

I look forward to hearing about it, Nossie!

Seems I'm off one Saturday and the whole place falls apart .

People should just visit when I'm in!

You are Tarzan, and Aquacadabra is your Jungle, Three-Fingers!

I was looking for you when i was in. I was going to introduce myself but didn't see you. Now i know why, you were skyving!