LFS recommendations

[jbirdag96]

I live in TX...D/FW area to be specific. Anybody from that area know of good/reputable LFS's? I've found a couple that I'll check out, but wanted to ask here too.

[Lauren B.]

I live in TX...D/FW area to be specific. Anybody from that area know of good/reputable LFS's? I've found a couple that I'll check out, but wanted to ask here too.

Hey there jbird,
I just moved to Fort Worth in October. Here are some stores that I've checked out so far...


Dallas North Aquarium in Carrollton - more geared toward decorative aquariums for the rich folk. They do carry fish and fish supplies (very high-end brands), but they are probably the highest priced I've seen. I got the impression they focus more on the beauty of the tank than the actual live fish.

The True Percula on Rt. 20 in Arlington - looks awesome but is not open yet

The Fish Place on Green Oaks/Southwest Blvd/Alta Mere/Ridgmar Mall area in Ft. Worth (off Rt. 30) - very nice and clean fish. This is my first choice, but they tend to carry "popular" supplies and not very high-end stuff. Again...good healthy looking fish there.

Fish Paradise on McCart Ave in Ft. Worth - small selection of supplies, but they usually have what I'm looking for. Their fish look decent. One caveat: I tend to avoid this store because they sell small animals and feeder animals, which I don't believe in (usually kept in substandard conditions as well).

Aquarium shop on Carson St. in Haltom City (sorry, I can't remember the name) - very small, wasn't crazy about the owner, but their fish looked healthy and clean.

Pet-o-Rama in Bedford and Mansfield - big store with a decent selection, but I don't go there because again, they sell puppies, feeder animals, etc.

The Aquarium and More on Camp Bowie Rd. in Fort Worth - definitely the dirtiest and grungiest shop I'd been in.



Oh, just found an online list of DFW fish shops. Don't know how updated they keep it, but maybe it'll help....
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Enjoy, and I hope to read you on here again soon!
Lauren B.

[sergo]

ok, here we go...
pet o rama in north dallas on frankford rd.
the people there are f'n awesome! they are very helpful and seem to be
quite knowledgable. not a huge fish selection but their customer service
more than makes up for it.
north dallas aquarium on trinity mills
lauren pretty much summed it up but they have a huge selection of fish.
unfortunately you have to corner some of the people to get them help
you so know what you want when you get there. they do have $0.39 RO
water that is not buffered and that's where i get my water from.
petco in arlington on collins (at I30 in shopping center)
nice petstore all the way around with nice knowledgable people.

those are really the only ones i go to and i'm at one or more of them every weekend.
time to go home. check those out if you can. if you need address pm me.

[Lauren B.]

Add another one to my list....

Frank's Tanks on S. Hulen St. in Ft. Worth - he does strictly saltwater and has a small store, but Frank is very experienced and is willing to answer any questions you have. He is the first person I've spoken with that actually cares about the lives of your fish. He sees them as living, feeling beings that shouldn't be mistreated and not just a pretty ornament for the amusement of humans. If you feel the same way about your fish he'll give you all the info in the world to help you out. The tanks in his store are gorgeous and immaculate. He even sells his own reverse osmosisized water! :ezpi_wink1:

[sergo]

i think i'm wrong about the arlington store's name. i believe it is petland not petco.
also i did come across a another store in dallas off of garland rd called boutique pet store that had a nice selection of fish but that place looks as if it has been open for 40 years and the tanks look that old as well. i didn't get that nice fuzzy feeling looking at their tanks. as a matter of fact i was kind of scared of them. they really could use a total renovation on all of them as they were not very clean and i saw a lot of fish that did not look good. they did have some very nice display tanks but that didn't make up for anything else.
i did find another fish store in plano called exotic aquatic but i have yet to go there. they have a web site and they seem to be geared more towards saltwater. i may have to check it out sometime.
it seems we have named off some really good stores so depending on where you are you have some options. good luck.

[Lauren B.]

i think i'm wrong about the arlington store's name. i believe it is petland not petco.

If it's the one on Six Flags Rd. near Randol Mill Rd. in the big shopping center (with the fancy fondue restaurant), then it is a PETLAND. It is a nice store and the few times I've been in it their fish looked good. I just avoid purchases there because, again, the puppy selling issue. I was particularly impressed with their one big display tank as you enter their fish room.

[sergo]

that is the one. i love to go play with their birds. i have yet to buy any fish from there as i think it is a bit far from my house and i don't want to keep fish in a unopened bag that long, though i may one day.
their main display tank was once a HUGE coral tank. it was absolutely amazing and then they took it down :(
i still go there from time to time to play with the birds.

[sergo]

what's your deal with puppies in pet pet stores? just curious.

[Lauren B.]

what's your deal with puppies in pet pet stores? just curious.

Puppies that are sold in pet stores are usually from "puppy mills" (dogs made to breed over and over, without concern for their environment, care or health, strictly for the profit of the breeder). These dogs live miserable and horrible short lives. I am an animal welfare activist so obviously I do not agree with such an industry or support stores that do.

I've posted on puppy mills several times here before, and I apologize for anyone who's come across this thread and had to read my rantings for the umpteenth time.

[sergo]

gotcha.
i think we hyjacked this thread.
sorry.

[jbirdag96]

gotcha.
i think we hyjacked this thread.
sorry.

No problem...I'll "re-aquire" it...LOL. :ezpi_wink1:

Thanks for the suggestions on the fish stores. The boutique one was actually 1 of 2 I was considering. I live just south of Dallas, but don't mind a bit of travelling if I know its a reputable LFS. Since next week is my spring break, I may be doing some look'n around :)

Lauren, I'm not an animal activist such as yourself, but I do agree 100% with your opinions and feelings. We have too many strays, cats and dogs, running around our town. When we are ready to get another family member, dog, we'll be considering SPCA, Humane Society, shelters, and pet rescues.

[Lauren B.]

Lauren, I'm not an animal activist such as yourself, but I do agree 100% with your opinions and feelings. We have too many strays, cats and dogs, running around our town. When we are ready to get another family member, dog, we'll be considering SPCA, Humane Society, shelters, and pet rescues.


That's awesome!! There are several like-minded humane people on this forum. Before I moved to Ft. Worth I worked in NY at a shelter (actually it was an animal control facility, which is a little bit different and makes the job a little tougher) so I have seen and dealt with the epidemic and horrors firsthand. Again, I hate to keep re-hashing my opinions and apologies to people who are sick of reading me(!), but this issue comes up once in a while and I like to take the opportunity to offer a little insight.

If I find any more quality aquarium shops in DFW, I'll be sure to let you know!
Lauren B.

[Lauren B.]

I happened across another shop today that was very nice so I thought I'd mention it, even though it's a little far. It's called The Fish House and it's located in Burleson on Rt. 35W. It's a very small store and was a little sparse in supplies, but I think that's because the store is relatively new. They had a small freshwater section and all their fish looked awesome. They had some of the most vibrant Rummynoses I've seen, and their Cherry Barbs were undoubtedly the most colorful I've come across so far. They also had a small saltwater section that looked very maintained. As well, their prices were absolutely and by far the lowest anywhere. Their supplies as well as fish prices were lower than Petsmart. I was pleasantly surprised at this little store, since independents tend to be higher in price. If the store had been crappy I would never have listed it, but this little hidden shop definitely deserves an honorable mention.

[sergo]

damn lauren, you must live on the west side of ft worth. glad to know you found another store and the fish looked good. if you see vibrant rummies they are are in prestine conditions. i had a few and none made it. they are sensitive fish and really come alive in damn near perfect water.
i miss my rummies :(
alough my bloodfins subed in perfectly :)

[jbirdag96]

Dang....I sit here and say that I'd be willing to travel a bit if I find a good LFS, but just thought of an important issue. How long will the fish stay healthy in a baggie/small container? I'd hate to travel a bit and these fish that I'm exchanging get adversely affected during transport.

[Drumachine09]

There is a product called the "Frabil Minn-O2" It is a styrafoam box with an areater/small filter in it that is powered by your 12 plug in in your car. It is ment for baitfish, but it works good.

[sergo]

the north dallas aquarium pumps o2 in their bags before they tie them up so you should be able travel pretty far. they are the only store i've seen do it. it will also depend on how many fish are in the bag.

[jbirdag96]

There's a petsmart I"ve frequented that does that too. They'll fill the bag with tank water, your fish, and inflate it with O2....at least I think its O2. Anyhow, my main concern was with the fish I'd be taking from my tanks to the LFS's....depending on which one I go to.

Drumachine09
There is a product called the "Frabil Minn-O2" It is a styrafoam box with an areater/small filter in it that is powered by your 12 plug in in your car. It is ment for baitfish, but it works good.


I'll do some searching, internet, and get info on this. Sounds like what I need :)

Update: Ouch!....I couldn't find this product for less than $38 dollars. As I only need to transport 2 small fantail GF's and one small common pleco, don't know if my "financial advisor" aka Mrs. Jbird will be too thrilled with me if I got this.

[sergo]

reading>sergo

i totally missed the part where you said you would be taking fish back.