What's Your Favourite Fish Store?
- Thread starter Nonuser
- Start date
heath
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Location
- Woodstock, Ontario
that is a loaded question, most of the store owners are on this site...
So you think they will be embarrassed by all the glowing reviews?
Do you think that they might want to know what their customers think?
MrHermit85
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Location
- London, Ontario
I like incredible aquarium. Always helpful, never up sells and gives me honest advice. Plus has a great selection.
I've wanted to go. But it doesn't sound like they have a store front? More information please
Oh this could get interesting lol
reef keeper
Super Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2014
- Location
- Hamilton, Ontario
I'm a fan of reef boutique and now aquarium by design.
My favourite coral store is Kevin tran lmao
My favourite coral store is Kevin tran lmao
Kevin Tran
Super Active Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2014
- Location
- Breslau, Ontario
Oh no, wel somebody is happy
Kevin Tran
Super Active Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2014
- Location
- Breslau, Ontario
OK ok I am gonna give this a shot, here goes. What turn me off the most when walking in a fish store is that I don't see any beautiful girl in their bikini swimming with the fishy... please don't judge me haha lol
Kidding lol, for fish I can go to any store. It's base on knowing how to pick a fish and price you willing to pay. Also how to introduce it to your tank too
Kidding lol, for fish I can go to any store. It's base on knowing how to pick a fish and price you willing to pay. Also how to introduce it to your tank too
MrHermit85
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2013
- Location
- London, Ontario
No they don't have a store front and I don't think drop-ins are the norm for them. I usually purchase online and browse around on pickup... They are more of an online store. I have seen people just stop by but have never done it myself. Their website is always up to date so it is easy to just browse online and they respond to enquiries virtually the same day. I have also never had an issue with their livestock.
RWH
Member
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2015
- Location
- Cambridge Ontario
Locally I deal with both Living Aquarium and Aquariums by Design....Colin at Reef Boutique is also excellent to deal with I just hate the drive into Toronto! LOL!
I have also purchased corals from differnet folks on this forum and will continue to do so, as there are some great
specimens and very knowledgable and friendly folks to deal with! There is a lot of value in that!
This is a geat pipeline!
I have also purchased corals from differnet folks on this forum and will continue to do so, as there are some great
specimens and very knowledgable and friendly folks to deal with! There is a lot of value in that!
This is a geat pipeline!
I really didn't think this was a controversial topic. I assumed free speech was allowed on this forum and that as hobbyist we could recommend stores and give positive or negative experiences. I personally think store owners would have thick enough skin to take criticism and be able to evaluate it and either consider it or dismiss it.
I don't mind it this thread is deleted. My intention wasn't to ruffle anyone's jimmies.
I don't mind it this thread is deleted. My intention wasn't to ruffle anyone's jimmies.
Oh it won't be deleted. But there is one store that does not have a 'thick skin' (to say the least) and will go after anyone through legal actions if they do not like what is said lol. And that is all I can really say, I know I know, more more info you say...but it is all, it just had to be noted incase some people notice edits.
I mostly purchased from Big Als London previously. But now I typically get inhabitants from other hobbiests looking to get rid of fish. My last score was a 8" yellow belly hippo and same size sailfin for $25 together.
I mostly purchased from Big Als London previously. But now I typically get inhabitants from other hobbiests looking to get rid of fish. My last score was a 8" yellow belly hippo and same size sailfin for $25 together.
BigReefer
Super Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2011
- Location
- London, Ontario
I feel that it depends where you live ... I myself like incredible aqaurium always sooo helpful and kind to me ...
but if i lived in toronto .... I might like another store
but if i lived in toronto .... I might like another store
To chime in from a Toronto perspective, my go to store for fish is Reef Boutique in Toronto near Yorkdale mall
Without a doubt, Colin has the best quality fish at reasonable prices. He quarantines and stands behind everything that he sells. I have never (NEVER) lost a fish that I have bought from him.
Highly recommended
Another fish place in the GTA that I have started to shop at more is Discount Dragon Aquarium - 888 Dundas St E in Mississauga - the SW dude there (Andrew) seems to be accessing a wider variety of species and high end clowns. He apparently will source any fish or invert and really knows his stuff. This is a store that has raised it's reputation in the last year so if you haven't been there in a while, it's worth the drive
As for corals, I do like Coral Reef Shop in Burlington. They also have a pretty good fish selection, but they always seem to please for their wide selection of corals, clams. Both SPS and LPS
Also Canada Corals is a great corals shop near Pearson airport and they gave great quality and selection. In my opinion though, their prices are a little higher than some.
I sadly, haven't visited some of the other shops in SW Ontario or Hamilton so I can't comment on them
Without a doubt, Colin has the best quality fish at reasonable prices. He quarantines and stands behind everything that he sells. I have never (NEVER) lost a fish that I have bought from him.
Highly recommended
Another fish place in the GTA that I have started to shop at more is Discount Dragon Aquarium - 888 Dundas St E in Mississauga - the SW dude there (Andrew) seems to be accessing a wider variety of species and high end clowns. He apparently will source any fish or invert and really knows his stuff. This is a store that has raised it's reputation in the last year so if you haven't been there in a while, it's worth the drive
As for corals, I do like Coral Reef Shop in Burlington. They also have a pretty good fish selection, but they always seem to please for their wide selection of corals, clams. Both SPS and LPS
Also Canada Corals is a great corals shop near Pearson airport and they gave great quality and selection. In my opinion though, their prices are a little higher than some.
I sadly, haven't visited some of the other shops in SW Ontario or Hamilton so I can't comment on them
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EricTMah
Aquariums by Design
Great thread.
Keep it coming.
Sony Xperia Z3
Keep it coming.
Sony Xperia Z3
scubasteve
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
- Location
- Cambridge, Ontario
cant take legal action as long as you state "in my opinion" 
all my fish came from living aquariums or members and most my coral came from canada corals with a few from bigshow and some from members.
dry goods i pretty much just follow the sales.
best part of cambridge/kitchener we are smack dab in the middle of everyone
all my fish came from living aquariums or members and most my coral came from canada corals with a few from bigshow and some from members.
dry goods i pretty much just follow the sales.
best part of cambridge/kitchener we are smack dab in the middle of everyone
BigReefer
Super Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2011
- Location
- London, Ontario
this brings another point up ... how long will a coral live in a cooler ????
Well from the supplier to store can be a few days
. Just do not do it when it is below 15C or something like that. You can get heater packs at the dollar store which work well. I just use a used plastic water bottle with HOT water in it and put it in the cooler when the temp is lower. Pretty much anything you get in Ontario this time of year, will make it home safely so long as you do not let it get too cold. You are in London, if you travel to TO or something, it will be more then fine when you get home, I would 100% suggest a temp acclimation though.