Questions about English aquatic shops

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 30 Jan 2007, 23:36

Hi everyone,
We'll be visiting Scotland soon and I was wondering if any of you could provide us with names and addresses of some good English LFS-ses. Two conditions, however:
- they shouldn't be too far from the Scottish border (Newcastle is the limit)
- they must stock Auchenipterids.
Thanks in advance for replying.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 31 Jan 2007, 20:11

Hi Marc

Scotland is a fantastic place & i'm sure you'll have a great time - i always do whenever i get up there. Someone else will have to give you some ideas or you could look in (eg) practical fishkeeping for some advertising retailers around the border.

Any chance of visiting us in the Midlands??? Wharf have T. Decardiatus (exilis).

Maidenhead Wheately have T.Intermedia. Ageneiosus sp "caucanus" & A. species (which don't look anything like the species identified in cat-e-log) - a stubbier species with black edges to clear fins. And another i didn't write down...sorry

Let us know how you get on & all the best

Richard B

Let us know how you get on

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 31 Jan 2007, 22:04

Richard B wrote:Maidenhead Wheately have T.Intermedia. Ageneiosus sp "caucanus" & A. species (which don't look anything like the species identified in cat-e-log) - a stubbier species with black edges to clear fins. And another i didn't write down

Hi Richard,
Thanks for your reply. It provided me with a nice opportunity, namely to google on a name. Thus I found out that Maidenhead actually is a chain company and it might be possible that they also stock Ageneiosus in for instance Blackpool, York, Stockley or Wigan, right?
Visiting the Midlands is no option, alas. Btw: I couldn't find Wheatley on the special Maidenhead map. Is it a very recent store?
Anyway, thanks again for coming up with that name. It helped me a lot.
And of course I'll let you know how things get on. I'm very looking forward to it and not in the least because I'll be meeting Jools.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 31 Jan 2007, 23:54

Hi Marc

Wheately is the Oxford branch of Maidenhead aquatics - so it would be referred to as "Oxford" on their website. I have only been to 3 of their outlets & Wheatley was excellent for catfish with several species i had never come across before - Leptodoras Ecipencerinus & Loricaria Circule were two names but i don't know if these are valid. They also had Ptychochromis Oligacanthus - a rare Madagascan c*****d.

The Harlestone Heath branch is great for tang & malawi C*****ds but does have some cats.

The Stratford branch is new but did have some cats of interest. They had a whole tank of 2-3" Hemisynodontis & were REALLY cheap.

From this, it doesn't take a genius to see a relatively common theme in the stocking of the shops - so you're probably right in thinking the northern branches may well have something of interest. Try emailing them in advance to see what they've got to save wasted trips - i've found staff in the ones i've been to, to be really friendly & knowlegeable & helpful - Harlestone have phoned me on occasion to let me know of stuff i'm interested in, appearing in either their branch or Wheately - good customer service

All the best

Richard B

PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn · Post by **PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn** » 01 Feb 2007, 00:33

i dont know what they stock, there were recently going to have zebra plecs in (though for some reasont that fell through and he sold em via ebay) but peir aquatics (in wigan) has had some intresting looking cats, unfortunatly i cant tell you what teh shop is like, never been there, i've just looked at their site and spend a little time on the forums there.

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 01 Feb 2007, 10:30

PsYcHoTiC_MaDmAn wrote:unfortunatly i cant tell you what teh shop is like, never been there, i've just looked at their site and spend a little time on the forums there.

It's worth the visit - and I drive from Edinburgh to buy most of my fish from there.

Jools

TP · Post by TP » 01 Feb 2007, 13:22

I will second what Jools has said, I live quite near to Pier and it does have some excellent fish, far and away the best catfish selection I've seen in the North West.

The Maidenhead aquatics in this area, the merseyside branch in Maghull (sefton), and the Widnes/Warrington (Bold Heath) although nice shops hardly have any catfish, let alone anything of interest. They do have a lot of cichlids and when I ask why they don't do catfish they say other specialist shops usually snap them up first!. I think its down to what the individual manager prefers which is fair enough

As far as I am aware the other Maidenhead shops in the NW on the website, ie wigan, woodford and blackpool are TBC so probably not open yet.

BAS in Bolton also has some interesting fish but I don't get there too often.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Feb 2007, 14:30

I agree, although Maidenhead aquatics is a chain, all stores haven't got the same selection, and it very much depends on the local manager what they stock at any given time, and some shops specialize in for example Cichlids, and will have a better-than-average selection of such fish. I don't think any particular branch is said to specialize in catfish, but obviously, a branch manager that likes and understands more about catfish is more likely to recognize the oppurtunity of some unusual species than one that thinks catfish are best kept as an invisible road-sweeper in a cichlid tank

So if you're looking for relatively unusual fish, I'd say first port of call would be Pier Aquatics in Wigan, and second would be a pre-established "Good at Catfish" branch of Maidenhead - but just dropping in on a randomly selected shop would probably yield you the usual selection of five different types of plecos and a good assortment of cichlids...

There are three branches within short driving distance: Woking, Guildford (East Horsley) and Farnham, and all have many of the usual and some unusual catfish from time to time. But nothing really unusual or special... The most "unusual" ones are relatively expensive varieties of plecos or perhaps some Syno that isn't a multi/nigrita/etc.

--
Mats

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 01 Feb 2007, 19:03

Indeed. The choice is all down to the manager.

I am very lucky in that the Wheatley/Oxford branch of Maidenhead Aquatics is just a couple of minutes down the road from me.

Loads of rare catfish.....

It says here that they specialise in catfish, and indeed they do.

I mentioned some of their stock in this thread.

Now they have sp., & to name a couple.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 01 Feb 2007, 21:52

Thanks again for all your comments.
Racoll, I remember your thread for 2 reasons:
- it caused some discussion (mildly put)
- because of it I started thinking seriously about coming over
I can only say that I believe every LFS in the UK may be worth a visit. Here in the Netherlands there are very few shops that stock unusual catfishes. Mostly we have to go to Germany to find other species than Corys and L-numbers. In the past I was helping out at a wholesaler's; in those days I just had to drive 10 miles to obtain as much unusual fishes as I wanted. Today I have the possibility to order directly from a stocklist through an LFS. However, this large wholesaler has never had any Ageneiosus for the past for 4 years, to give you just an example.
So I suppose Wigan is the place to be and it is in reach (more or less).
Will be continued

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 02 Feb 2007, 10:03

I can only say that I believe every LFS in the UK may be worth a visit. Here in the Netherlands there are very few shops that stock unusual catfishes.

For your average fish-shop here in the UK, that's probably true too. If by unusual you mean something that isn't:
- Common species of Corydoras
- Loricariiadae: Liposarcus pardalis, Ancistrus sp(3), Hypancistrs sp({L066, L260}), Baryancistrus sp({L018, L081, L177}), Panaque spp..
- Otocinclus spp.
- Pimelodus pictus.
- Hoplo varieties.

Of course, the wholesalers may have other varieties, but they are not commonly found in the shops.

But there are SOME shops that keep a broader selection - if you're willing to travel.

--
Mats

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 05 Feb 2007, 10:08

I can only say that I believe every LFS in the UK may be worth a visit.

I wouldn't go that far, but there are some very good ones for catfish.

Wildwoods and Wholesale Tropicals in London both look very good. Here and here are their current catfish stocklists.

Wharf in Nottinghamshire is also recommended frequently. Here is their current list.

Trimar in Cornwall always has a good list too.

I couldn't get those pictures of the Ageneiosus for you Marc. I tried, but they came out lousy, and now I've lost them....

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:55

This Tropical Fish Finder site is by no means any good for my well being

. My goodness, what an abundandance of catfish species on LFS-level. Getting more and more excited!

Racoll, thanks for trying. Much appreciated.

CoryWally · Post by **CoryWally** » 05 Feb 2007, 23:03

don't waste your time travelling to Yorkshire retailers, this county is not blessed with quality fish outlets.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 06 Feb 2007, 09:54

Marc, you probably aren't having a problem, but if you are struggling with where some of these places are in relation to Scotland, just stick the place name/postcode into http://maps.google.co.uk/.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 06 Feb 2007, 10:07

You can also figure out the rough driving time/distance with http://www.theaa.com, enter two different post-codes or placenames, and it will tell you the time and distance - and give you directions.

--
Mats

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 06 Feb 2007, 10:19

You can also figure out the rough driving time/distance with http://www.theaa.com, enter two different post-codes or placenames, and it will tell you the time and distance - and give you directions.

You can actually do that on google maps by adding TO in between the place names/post code.

I wouldn't trust the directions these automated systems give you sometimes though

. I go on my instincts and a good map.

The other day I did a journey that they quoted at 47 minutes. I took me 25 minutes, and no, I don't drive like Michael Schumacher!

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 18 Feb 2007, 20:16

I specially bought a 2007 Michelin map of the UK, so no way I get lost.
Location for the next week: Bathgate

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 19 Feb 2007, 09:13

Marc van Arc wrote:Location for the next week: Bathgate

No points for guessing where Marc is staying then! We hope to hit some stores and will post pics too.

Jools

wrasse · Post by **wrasse** » 19 Feb 2007, 21:10

Im looking forward to meeting Marc and Jools on Tuesday at OutsideInside Aquatics in Haddington, East Lothian. It has a steadily growing choice of cats, community fish, soft-water cichlids and plants (honestly don't mean it to sound like an advert!!!).
For the last 8 months I've helped out there on Saturdays and I've been gently persuading the owner that catfish will attract new customers. I have 'assisted' with what fish to order in to the shop..... There are about 20 types of cory, several syno and plec species, tatias, banjos, glasscats and ompok, pims, leiocassis, clarias, hara, amblydoras, -that's off the top of my head. On order and due in are zamora midnight cats, more plecs, and jaguar cats (but sorry guys- I've been waiting a long time for the jags...).
All the fish looked fine last Saturday, so should be okay for tomorrow.
The owner -Hugh- is resistant to try bigger (and more expensive) fish - he leans more towards planted community tanks - more persuasion may be necessary..... bring your knuckledusters guys.
Have to say though, as a catfish fanatic, Pier, Wharf and Wholesale trops are the best

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 20 Feb 2007, 09:03

wrasse wrote:bring your knuckledusters guys.

I find credit cards more effective.

Looking forward to seeing the shop for the first time this afternoon.

Jools

grokefish · Post by **grokefish** » 20 Feb 2007, 12:39

Marc definately go to pier aquatics.
Wharf didn't have much of interest the other day cept for a huge grokefish and the already mentioned exilis.
They do have lots of bagrids shovelnoses and bigger cats.
I got a Pseudopimelodus from there I think it is
Batrochoglanis villosus.
Worth a mention to whoever said yorkshire is crap well you should check out this.

http://www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/p ... _58387.php
Phil is a nice guy and has a huge tank with his own fish in it and I mean huge.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 20 Feb 2007, 13:11

I know you're probably not coming down south, but I took a trip to Wildwoods in Enfield the other day and I was very impressed.

I didn't have long in there, but there was loads of interesting stuff.

The Bagarius were very nice.....

Quite a few Auchenipterids for Marc too.

Maybe one day if people are in the area we could visit a few stores around me.

Maidenhead Aquatics @ Oxford and the Goldfish Bowl are just down the road.

Wildwoods and Maidenhead Aquatics @ Iver are next to the M25 and are less than an hour away.

All these stores are well worth a visit.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 22 Feb 2007, 00:32

To be honest, we're actually going down south. It'll be Wigan after all. To do so - and avoid a very stressful Friday because we'll have to be at the ferry in the afternoon - we've booked a hotelroom in Carlisle which we're heading for tomorrow evening. That'll give us a nice head start. Jools will be going as well.
So far we've been staying with Jools and Clare and they've made us more than welcome. We've visited 3 shops on Tuesday which were very surprising. The one in Haddington had a lot of catfishes. One shop in Edinburgh had nice fish too. Today we've been for a spin through (a small part of) Scotland. No fish today as we couldn't find the shop in Stirling (Jools wasn't with us).
We've eaten haggis today and are still alive

.
Hopefully the Friday visit will force me to post a message in the SA everything else forum, for that would mean I brought some Auchenipterids home

.
That's it for now; will be continued.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 24 Feb 2007, 17:43

We're back in the Netherlands again and we've certainly had a great holiday.
I will at a later point expand on the shops we've visited; let me just say for now that especially the visit to Pier's was very worthwile. I've never seen so many fishes I only knew from books or didn't know at all. But that somewhat later. I'll now go to the Auchenipterids thread, as long as I've got a little energy left.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 26 Feb 2007, 21:31

Hi Marc

Glad to hear you had a good time.

To elaborate on Racoll's earlier mention of Wildwoods - today I made my first visit as unusually i was working close by.

They had Entomocorus Benjamini £9.95 at 2-3" although there was a great deal of variation between the specimens,
Ageniosus Polystictus 11" £64.95 & A. Marmoratus 6-7" £29.95, some nice L.Oncinus at 2-3" & also some other woodcats.

There were additionally some nice bits & pieces in terms of other cats - i'd say well worth a visit if you get the chance

Richard B

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 26 Feb 2007, 22:16

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the tip. I'll put that shop on my "to visit" list. And because we had such a great time, that may well be sooner than I would have thought.
Actually, BAS had some Liosomadoras as well, but as they had just gotten in the day before they weren't for sale yet....
PS: did you see the woodcats I brought with me? If not, they're in the Auchenipteridae thread.