Recommended aquatic shops in Kent?

[Marc van Arc]

See title.
We'll be there in summer for a couple of weeks; any tips welcome, preferably from customers.
I have already googled and of course all shops advertise that they are best. So I need some "inside" information about which one(-s) to visit and which one(-s) to skip.
Aylesford may be interesting?
Main interests: S-Am catfishes, mormyrids and oddball characins.
Thanks in advance.

[Marc van Arc]

No-one from Kent around?

Also interested in Gymnotidae (South-American knife fishes).

[JamesFish]

Hi,

I visit http://www.aquacadabra.co.uk/home.php - They have a smaller than most live section as largely dry good but does get some interesting odd balls in. For me a very handy shop as the waters nearly perfect match to mine. So far 13 fish purchased 13 fish alive so good on that scale the cherry shrimp not gone well for me but mostly my fault bought his last 3 remaining ammano shrimp all fine since Saturday. Had some wild ancistrus on last visit, big pleco's & sail fin gibbies. Also had one Ancistrus that was unusual but cant remember the type.

Birchwood is one of my favourite shops - http://www.birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk/ - Good selection give them a ring before visit they may have what you are looking for. If you pass this shop its really worth a look.

Dartford fish r fun shop (Pet shop upstairs is fish area) does get in allot but am unsure on the quality have yet to purchase from them. Has green phantoms in atm as well and some other unusual bits.

Living reef - Not had good experiences with but does have a small tropical section. The cory's and ancistrus I got from them very good other stuff I didn't do well with. http://www.livingreefaquatics.co.uk/

Spotted Dora's & stripes are common atm the moment (Seen them in all 3 shops on last run through, believe aqua had them cheapest at £6 each). mormyrids or the elephant nose as I know them I believe I have seen in the pet shop but cant remember a price.

[Marc van Arc]

Thanks very much for your reply.
I'll do my best to visit one or more of mentioned shops and will let you know what it was/they were like.

[Marc van Arc]

(Mostly)@James:

Thanks again for your reaction.

I was not able to visit any of the shops you mentioned.
Saw one shop in Maidstone, which looked promising from the outside, but was closed at the time (Sunday afternoon, around 6 PM).
Most of the garden centers we have visited, have a fish department. One of those was largely fish orientated ( it is called World of Water - it is in Rolvenden, situated between Hawkhurst and Tenterden).

Nevertheless, we enjoyed Kent very much!