Ever thought about starting a fish store?

[barrettsline]

You'd be surprised by how many customers buy fish without caring what their unpronouncable name is.

Have to give a +1 on that. I won't lie, its nice to now know specific names of my fish. But if I see it and like it, I generally get it.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.532035,-95.157798

[eklikewhoa]

You'd be surprised by how many customers buy fish without caring what their unpronouncable name is.

[Complexity]

I can answer this one: this is usually what appears on the list when the LFS gets the store from the importer / wholesaler. The LFS usually doesn't know for certain either.

I get that. But I would think with experience, they'd eventually identify the fish and be able to mark them. Something fairly common such as a Kenyi or White Zebra shouldn't be too hard for a LFS to identify.

I think they don't want the liability of misidentifying them.

Plus, I think they're hoping people will do like I did and blindly buy the fish in the heat of the moment without knowing what it is or making their own misidentification (like I did with the kenyi), but won't bother to get them identified and return the ones that they can't keep. So I think it's in their best interest to "play dumb" and claim to not know what they're selling even when they do know.

[eklikewhoa]

I think the main complaint about the majority of out LFS's is that they are out to make a buck. Find one that isn't about making a living and it'll probably cater to all your needs and wants.....

[armthehomeless]

Why aren't these fish marked properly?

I can answer this one: this is usually what appears on the list when the LFS gets the store from the importer / wholesaler. The LFS usually doesn't know for certain either.

[Complexity]

Even though there are some good stores in my area, they don't carry the fish I'm looking for. Just look at my recent attempt at getting adult male peacocks and haps. I went to two stores, and the best I could do were two hybrids from City Pets, two unsexed livingstoniis from Fish Ranch. The best of the bunch was a gorgeous red shoulder peacock from Fish Ranch, but I had to pay an arm and a leg for it.

I would have bought more, but they didn't have anything. Instead, I'm looking to buy from others here. That seems to be the best source for what I'm wanting. I've also had to turn to aquabid for my pelvicachromis. I've had to order in other fish, as well.

Something else I find frustrating is that the LFSs don't mark their fish with the scientific names. I had to return two fish to City Pets because they didn't even know what they were. I had to buy them, get them identified, and then return the ones that wouldn't work for my tank. Even my prized red shoulder peacock wasn't marked with which red shoulder peacock it is. I may never know for sure. Why aren't these fish marked properly?

I realize there are more fish varieties than any single fish store can possibly stock and there's overhead for every fish in the store, but either the stores sell out immediately after getting their stock or these fish are really hard to find or they just don't bother to carry them. I would love to walk into a fish store and find what I'm looking for or at least be able to actually order them in without having to pay exorbitant shipping costs with the risks of DOA's. As demonstrated by my paying $45 for my red shoulder peacock, I will pay good money for the fish I want if the LFSs will just offer them and maintain healthy tanks.

The store would also carry inverts people keep asking for, such as various shrimp and snails. Look at how many times people keep asking for them on here? That's only because they either can't find them at the LFSs or the prices at those stores are outrageous.

I'd also like for the people to be friendly and not snooty. That's why I avoid FG. That and because they (at least at one time) had posted that you couldn't select your specific fish from a tank and had to take whichever fish they netted first (I'm picky about which fish I want). If you're going to be snooty, be so in my favor, not against me. I always get a bad feeling walking in that place so I avoid it even though I have over $100 in gift certificates I haven't cashed in. I want a smile on people's faces when I'm buying fish. This is my hobby, and the whole idea is for it to be fun!

I think the best location for a fish store would be something more central to Houston, but easy to get to. That way people from all over would be more likely to go there. It would be a store people would travel to, specifically because they have the fish they're looking for that's not elsewhere. It would be a specialty store. If you want mollies or tetras, you'd go elsewhere. Only the more serious hobbyist would go there.

The problem is it all takes money and lots of it to get it started. But if any of you do start up a fish store, I'd definitely be there!

[barrettsline]

I'm in Clear Lake, so I have some idea. :) But there's AquaZoo down here, and All About Fish, but that's mainly SW.

That's right you are. Sorry forgot that. But you know as well as I do. There good people but limited selection.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.523170,-95.161153

[danielp]

We need a cross between Fish Gallery, City Pets and Fishland.

Basically a quality store with good selections and good pricing.

[Mzungu]

I'm in Clear Lake, so I have some idea. :) But there's AquaZoo down here, and All About Fish, but that's mainly SW.

[barrettsline]

Sounds like the South side is in need of some more stores!

You have no clue. It's bad. But with funding from everyone here I can fix that!


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.532001,-95.157832

[TexSun]

Sounds like the South side is in need of some more stores!

^ +1

[Mzungu]

Sounds like the South side is in need of some more stores!

[barrettsline]

The thought has crossed my mind move than once. I would open up on 45, southeast Houston area.

As far as selection goes I would provide a selection similar to FG, city pets and aquarium world, but with more exotics. Focusing mainly on ciclids, Africans, SA,CA, New world, but also haveing high quality other fish. I'm tired of see dead fish everywhere in fish store. It's like they just don't care.

Reptiles would also be a must to include.

As far as people. Knowledgeable people with a background in aquariums and aquatics, preferably those with degrees in aquatic science or Marine biology. A reptiles expert would be in charge of that division if the store.

Prices would have to be compete with others. But quality and selection would win over all. Most importantly I would offer a guaranty on my fish. As long as a receipt is brought in, water samples were provided, and detailed information on care is provided.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.531992,-95.157793

[danielp]

If i had disposable funds i would open up a nice store on the south side.

We really need a quality store down here. I would be a diversivied selection. The standard bread and butter is community fish and there is a serious side as well.

Hiring someone who has the connections is key.

[eklikewhoa]

I think basically what ADG had planned would be the ultimate.

But being the person I am i'd never make money cause I would want to keep everything.