UK Fish Store Directory

[Neal]

North East
Fintasia Aquatics - North Road, Darlington
Variety - 8 (Nice fish, but not to many species)
Quality - 10 (If ever a disease all fish are not to be sold and go under treatment)
Knowledge - 10 (Very helpful and know their stuff)

 

[Miss Wiggle]

few for Yorlshire

Living Death.... sorry world
armley, leeds, yorkshire

my geographical LFS.... Don't shop there tho!
Variety - 7, they do seem to have some nice species in there, quite a good selection but....
Quality - 0, wouldn't even give them a 1, they stock dyed fish and there's dead/diseased fish in virtually every tank, saw a tank with every single fish in it dead and no one had done anything, they'll quite happily sell anyone anythinhg, regardless if they're set up is suitable etc,
Service - 2, there's the odd person there who knows a bit but mostly staffed with teenage chav's who don't know/care about fish.

I only go there if I need some food/equipment in an emergency and can't get to any of the other shops a bit further away, took Ian round there to show him the fish cos one of his mates had said they're quite a good shop, wanted him to see for himself what I meant. We were both practically silent when we came out, it's really upsetting to see fish in such awful conditions.

now on to better ones!!

Tong Garden Centre
tong rd, just outside leeds, yorkshire
http/www.tonggardencentre.com/

Variety - 6, just standard stuff mostly but occasionaly have nicer stuff in, good if your just after some bread and butter stuff
Quality - 8, occasionaly spot dead fish but not v often, tanks are generally clean and fish stocking levels seem reasonable
Service - 6, really depends who you get, theres an older bloke and a young lass there who really know they're stuff, I try and ask them if I can, but they do have a few young lads there who haven't got a clue.

Generally OK, if you just want some 'normal' platys/tetra's/guppies etc then your fine, not a lot of point going if your after something a bit more specialist though as it's unlikely they'll have it.

paws for thought (think that's what it's called!)
york rd, leeds, yorkshire

just found this one but first impressions are good
Variety - 8 had some nice fancy plecs which always impresses me! had a small but nice looking marine section, had flame angels which are just my favourite fish ever so that kept me smiling!
Quality - 8 we went in first thing in the morning (literally got there 5 mins before they opened so waited around to be let in when they were opening up) and there were a couple of dead fish in some tanks... but the bloke there was going roudn taking water samples from tanks to do tests and all dead fish were removed and tanks looking good when we went back a couple of hrs later that day
Service - 10 excellent, I was really impressed with the bloke there, they had a tank labeled as having a gold nugget plec but I couldn't see it so asked if it had been sold, he said yes it had but said if you like fancy plecs have a look at these and showed me some other really nice ones, ended up getting a lovely big fat royal for £30. Fair enough he was trying to get a sale but he did seem to know what he was on about and I asked about it's suitability with tank mates/sizes etc and he answered honestly.

I'll definately be going back there next week when my next tank needs stocking, will update my listings when I've been a few times and got a better idea.

QSS
wakefield rd, bradford, yorkshire

Variety - 7 just tropical and coldwater, not the biggest selection ever, more than just your 'bread and butter' standard fish, but nothing massively specialist either. pretty good but not amazing!
Quality - 9 just been refurbished and everything looks excellent, never seen a dead fish in there and all the tanks are sparkling, not giving them a 10 as some of the tanks look a little overstocked but all the fish looked healthy
Service - 8 pretty good, seemed happy to help and quite knowledgable but didn't blow me away.

right that's all I'm typing for now! my finge4rs are going to fall off or something, lol

 

[Baldpoodle]

I went to the big blue on friday and I was really impressed with the tanks he had for sale.He had loads of tropicals for sale in well presented tanks.
The marine stuff was well presented too.

I would say 10/10 for this one.

Big Blue Aquatic Warehouse
Units L And M Cocker Avenue
Poulton Business Park
Poulton-le-fylde
Lancashire
FY6 8JU
Tel: 01253 890002

 

[KathyM]

ill add a few.....


Fish People (Keighley)

Variety 9
Quality 9
Service 9

I'll back this one up too. It's not a big place, but it's my only "proper" LFS and we've had no problems with them.

I'll add one too:

PAH - Bradford

Variety - 4

Not much variety, lots of mislabelling (common plecs sold as growing to max 11"). Pretty bog standard selection, small tanks.

Quality - 3

Lots of stressed and sick fish. Seen floaters on more than one occasion.

Service - 0

Staff don't really have a clue about what they're selling. When I went back and spoke to them about the chocolate albino common we bought, and tried to show a member of staff how you could tell it wasn't a hypostomus, she said "Its definitely an albino". They advice at least one fully grown plec for every 12" of tank. their knowledge of fish is much the same poor quality as their knowledge of he other animals they sell.

 

[CoolWater]

Wetpets - 71 Victoria Road, Romford, Essex RM1 2LT

Variety – 9 (Had apsolutly everything in all areas of the hobby)
Quality – 7 (Clean well maintained tanks, occasional dead fish though)
Service – 6 (Very knowledgeable, but not very patient)

 

[gouramigirl]

Liverpool (North West)
Lister Drive Fisheries
Variety: 8 (quite good selection.. a lot of pond fish in the area that used to be swimming baths)
Quality: 3 (quite a lot of dead fish in tanks, a lot of fish with what looks like TB in the pond area)
Service: 4 (service is good.. for a shop.. not too knowledgable, wont make suggestions or give advice towards fish needs)

overall not a very good lfs as regards to quality and employee knowledge, i would steer clear of this one, also stock dyed fish

I agree, never been there when there haven't been dead fish in the tanks , the dry goods are cheap there, but I get the feeling that they don't really care about the animals.

Wavertreenook was my favourite Liverpool lfs (till the fire a couple of months ago), hopefully it'll reopen soon B)

 

[pgtips]

World Of Fishes, East Grinstead

Variety Tropical=7
Variey Marine=9
Quality=8
Staff=7
Other=Converted house, Bettas in little tubs, but all other fish are healthy.

I live in Bromley, Kent and travel all the way to World Of Fishes and now after many bad fish shops in my local area all my friends travel there as well.

WOF are absolutly the best in my eyes and i'm just about to buy a Juwel Rio 400 from them.

i'd say.....

Variety Tropical=8
Variey Marine=9
Quality=10
Staff=9
Other=Bettas in little tubs (NOT TRUE), they used to be but they got rid of them and now keep them in full sized tanks. All fish are quarrentined before they go on the shop floor, never had any ill fish from them in 8 years of fish keeping.

just my 2pence worth.

 

[Baldpoodle]

Uk Aquatics who are in Thornton Cleveleys,Lancashire.

I went there the other day and the shop had good stocks of fish both tropical and marine plus cold water fish.

I will definately be going back there 10/10

 

[bentrials]

A-Z Aqautics

Balterley, Crewe, Cheshire

10 - Excellent choice of fish and plants, also breeding there own fish

10 - Really clean tanks, well maintained

9 - equipment and accessories, order pretty much anything you need

10 - staff are extremely helpful and talkative

 

[shaunza2010]

Another large shop has open cleland aquatic in motherwell scotland

Have been to it yet but seen it advertise in newspaper and it has over 200 tanks they also have a website clelandaquatics.co.uk or com

 

[Amerce]

Aquamania - Darwen

3 - Choice of fish - boring
1 - Dead fish in nearly all tanks
3 - equipment and accessories very little selection
1 - staff too busy talking to each other and not helping customers


Moreton Park Garden Centre

8 - Choice of fish great, also got a small marine section for those that like salties
10 - Tanks are spotless and well maintained
9 - Reasonable selection of equipment
10 - Great staff very helpful and informative

Fintastic - Darwen

8 - Select choice of fish for a small shop
10 - Tanks spotless and well maintained
9 - Reasonable selection of equipment
10 - Very helpful and informative staff

 

[JessicaHeather]

Preston/Blackpool Areas, North West


McMillan's Aquariums
21, Langcliffe Rd (Off Watling St Rd)
Ribbleton
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 6UE
Tel: 01772 700665

Variety Tropical = 8
Variey Marine = 8
Quality = 9
Staff = 10

Comments - They have an excellent fish room in the back with a good variety (cold, tropical & marine). All tanks are clean and look well looked after. Very knowledgable lady owner (I assume!) who is always friendly. Have had a few fish from here and all have been in excellent health. Pricing is about average.



Preston Pet Centre
74-76 Blackpool Rd,
Preston,
Lancs
PR2 6BX
Tel: 01772 796441

Variety Tropical = 6 (Just the usual)
Quality = 7
Staff = 7

Comments - Price is what really brings this place down. Fish seem to be twice as expensive as everywhere else. No Marine. All the fish seem to be healthy, and I have had the odd one or two from here which have been fine. Its always busy, and I would avoid at weekends as it is always rammed. Staff seem helpful but are always busy.



Lane Ends Aquatics / Diamond Discus
26 Woodplumpton Rd,
Preston,
Lancs
PR2 2LP,
Tel: 01772 729588

Variety Tropical = 7
Variety Discus = 10
Quality = 10
Staff = 10

Comments - A small shop, but obviously well cared for fish. A hobbyist turned shop owner, very knowledgable and friendly. The discus room is looking good, and from what the owner was saying it seems he is at the beginning of a breeding program. He has a website relating to this. Very good on prices, seem to be lower than the rest in the area.



Fylde Water Gardens
Division Lane
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 5EA
Tel: 01253 798358

Variety Tropical = 8
Variey Marine = 7
Quality = 4
Staff = 5

The major benefit and reason I visit this place is the extremely cheap plants. Around 25p per plant, which is by far the cheapest I have found. They have a good variety of fish, but unfortunately on two occasions I have seen many dead, half eaten fish in the tanks, while others seemed to be gulping and on their way out. I hope I am not being unfair to this place, as I have heard good things said about it. It could be that I have caught them at bad times, but unfortunately it has put me off buying fish from here.



Pets At Home
The Docks - Preston & Airport Retail Park, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool

Variety = 6
Quality = 0
Staff = 1

Comments - Obviously I am not a fan of this chain. What can only be described as scummy tanks, often with white spot disease. Staff generally know nothing, which is unfortunate for the unsuspecting public who are just starting out.



World Of Water
Blackpool Rd
Blackpool

Variety = 9
Quality = 7
Staff = 5

Comments - The quality here has vastly improved since being taken over from Wyvale Garden Centre. All tanks look clean, very little or no disease to be seen, although overcrowding seems to be an issue. Haven't purchased from here though, so cannot vouch for them on that front. Staff are friendly enough, but I suspect are not particularly knowledgable.

 

[Bloo]

Tropicals & Marines
71 Lower Richmond Rd
Mortlake
London SW14 7HJ
Tel: 020 8876 5463

Variety - 5
Quality - 4 (now revised to 8 for Freshwater)
Staff - 7

This is my lfs. It's OK for non livestock but I don't really buy fish there anymore. Quality is poor. Often dead fish in tanks and many visibly carry disease.

I would like to amend my statement above (in reference to the Freshwater section - I never look at Marine).
I've been going to this shop for over 3 years now but over the past few months I've seen a marked difference in tank cleansiness and health of fish.

However knowledge on Freshwater stock is still questionable - the only person there with some know-how is the owner (male) - his wife has never been able to answer any of my questions.

Aquatic Design Centre, Gt Portland St, London (near Euston Station)

Variety 8 Well above average, including rare killis, livebearers, tetras, and cichlids.
Quality 8 Solid, few sick fish, and all stock looks to be sound.
Staff 7 Variable, mostly helpful and offering good advice, but some gaps in their knowledge of oddballs

Tropical Marines, Mortlake, SW London (near Mortlake Station)

Variety 9 (Marines) / 5 (Freshwater) Medium sized but well chosen range marine fish and inverts, but freshwater stuff is solidly bread and butter species with only a few oddballs and cichlids. Few catfish and very few, if any, giant fish.
Quality 10 Tanks are very well looked after. Some of the freshwater tanks are a bit small by modern standards, but the fish look healthy. The marine tanks are spectacular.
Staff 10 (Marines) / 7 (Freshwater) The proprietor of this store is an expert marine aquarist and he builds up a very close relationship with his long-term clients. Freshwater fish are less of a focus, and this isn't the place to find out about keeping brackish or breeding killis, for example.

Cheers,

Neale

I would like to also add my own review of :

Aquatic Design Centre, Gt Portland St, London (near Euston Station)

(Refers to Freshwater only, though they also stock Marine)
Variety 7 - Not impressed. Very run of the mill. Nothing unsual there on my recent visit.
Quality 8 - Nice clean tanks and healthy fish.
Staff - can't really comment on this one as I didn't ask for anything. But plenty of staff seemed available.

Negative: They have an array of nano tanks on the upper level - shockingly stocked to the brim. I'm not impressed (these are "show" tanks - not the ones on massive sumps and fish are not for sale).
Another negative is the odd layout of the tanks on the upper (street) level. They are tiered and it's very difficult to see what's in them so far high and back.
Positive: Some lovely pieces of proper bogwood (not standard sandblasted mopani).
Positive: They have a fantastic showroom with tanks of all shapes and sizes - so great if you're looking for ideas.

 

[lisa_perry75]

I disagree with the rating for Arundel, its horrible, with fish tanks in horrible states. The actual set-ups havent changed in 50 years, have wood frames with cockroach infestation. He has cleaned them out a bit more recently. I mean what does he want a medal for cleaning the box air filters once in fifty years??!?!? No joke he uses air filtration in everytank. Including marine. The box filters are black. The prices are ridiculous, £12.50 for one sterbai cory!!! Saying that, they do get in oddballs every now and then. Oh and the owner is a racist. My black friend would ask how much a fish is (like a birchir) he would not be friendly or helpful and add £5 on.


Arundel Avairies and Aquatics in portsmouth

Variety- 6
Quality- 2
Staff- 3


I went to Maidenhead Aquatics @ St Albans today. Oh my god!!! ITS AMAZING!!!!!!! I got so excited at all the tanks I ran through the shop! ohhhh, im so sad k, well its the biggest fish shop ive ever been to!!! I asked one member of staff about a fish and he didn't know, so he got someone else, who did. So i took off one cos I'm harsh. But the manager guy is a laugh, and knows his stuff.

Maidenhead Aquatics @ St Albans

Variety- 10
Quality- 10
Staff- 9
Prices - 9

Now, Porton Garden Centre in salisbury. Back in 2004 when this was suggested, there was 3 REALLY great guys working there. Only one is still there unfortunately as the owner (who doesn't know anything about aquatics) now has more of an active hand. He only buys in cheap crap now. I love the glo light range but arcadia is cheaper to buy in so they have that. Lots of whitespot problems and dead fish. One guy went to the reptile section and one (who is now a really good mate) is an aerial cinematographer. So, the owner takes on people that have studied fisheries and fishery management @ sparsholt over friendly hard-working people!?! How the hell will qualifications in fisheries relate to indoor fish?!?!? So unless you get mark you won't get help. I mean one guy couldn't sex dwarf gouramis!!! The variety is constantly good, they always have something good in! The prices are amazing too!

Porton Garden Centre in salisbury

Variety- 10
Quality- 8
Staff- 10 (mark only)
Prices - 9

Wildwoods I had built up to being the best in the country and was let down. The variety is amazing, saw 1-2 dead fish... The staff weren't nice and I didn't even buy any fish and I could tell!!! The prices are through the roof though!!! I mean zebra plecs at 1" for £149... WHAT?!?!?!? its one inch of fish! I know its a zeb but jeeees... There was a couple of reasonable clown loaches and loach things.

Wildwoods

Variety- 9
Quality- 7
Staff- 5
Prices - 2

Along the road with wildwoods is, as I like to call it "fish heaven" Its just garden center after garden center all with fish shops!!!! Including Maidenhead @ enfield. Unfortunately opposite is a fish shop that has dyed fish I'll post pics later, I was really shocked it actually happened.

 

[ramaseseniblikxviii]

North east Wales

Pets@home -
Plas coch retail park
Wrexham

Quality- 6
Variety - 8 (freshwater only though)
Staff - 4

This is my LFS and is'nt to bad ,the staff are a bunch of muppets but the fish seem healthy and they have quite a good range of fish and equiptment.


Waterways Discount Garden Center-
Holt road
Wrexham

Quality - 3
Variety - 10
Staff - 0

These people are idiots, they have an amazing range of fish and a beautiful marine section but I wouldn't buy fish from there is my life depended on it ,they have dead fish in the tanks and most of them have spot AND even more hienious is the fact the staff are so - called experts and they don't know what they are talking about.


The Fish People
Grosvennor Garden Center
Chester
Cheshire

Quality - 8
Variety - 8
Staff - 8

This fish store is ok ,they have good healthy fish and a nice selection. They really excell themselves with thier tank and equiptment section which is very extensive.
The staff however can sometimes give you conflicting advice.


Allisons Aquarium
Wrexham Road
Caegwrle
Nr Wrexham

Quality - 10
Variety - 6
Staff - 10

This is by far the best shop in the area, his fish are healthy and he REALLY know what he is talking about.Its a shame that he has such a small collection of fish (he sells FW and SW)although most of the stock are bred by local breeders.
He also does free water testing and will help you out with anything (even if you are not buying anything!)