Pets at Home (UK nationwide pet store)

[ACeee]

Hi guys,

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on Pets at Home when compared to Aquarium specialists?

For me, they always seem friendly but knowledge levels seem poor (especially after reading some of the posts and articles on here) and I have seen many tanks with dead fish in and none of the staff bothering to remove them.

Of course my experience is of only a few different stores around West Yorkshire so I'd be interested to hear what everyone on here thinks?

 

[richpowell1989]

I live in Plymouth and I can say I would never buy fish from them it is disgusting how they treat them but I would buy there plants I have a few now, it is also way to expensive I recommend going to madienhead aquatics mine is brilliant and friendly but its down to person opinion

 

[ACeee]

Cheers Rich,

It matches my experience too. The amount of dead fish i've seen in their tanks is a disgrace.

I've found a decent indie dealer up here, it's a bit more of a drive definitely worth it

 

[richpowell1989]

I no exactly what you mean the tanks down here in pets at home are covered in dead fish and the worst thing is they don't even try and get them out its disgusting but I am lucky we actually have a couple really good lfs especially my maidenhead aquatics its amazing the bloke is a very good friend of mine

 

[Aquaristair]

The Pets at Home in York seems ok and some staff are knowledgeable. However, Maidenhead Aquatics at York are very good indeed with friendly and knowledgeable staff. We've bought all our fish there. An experienced friend had visited 12 shops around York and says that Maidenhead are the best by far. Tanks are clean, fish healthy and stock turns over.

 

[Wagbo]

Hi all. I agree with some respect regarding some Pah. From experience I can honestly say the majority of pets at home do have specialists there on certain days of the week, and a few of the their stores are genuine aquatic centres, I know of a few people who work there and they are all OATA. Trained.

 

[ACeee]

That's interesting about the specialists at POH. I guess I may have been in on their days off....or after they finish as I have normally been just before closing.

Where abouts is the Maidenhead aquatics in York? Sounds like it's worth a visit.

 

[Wagbo]

I can't account for all of the stores, but the few I have been to do have trained staff.

 

[Wagbo]

Does anyone have any advice on keeping " super vc-10 hap" cichlids. I don't know of anyone who has first hand experience with them so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[richpowell1989]

Hi all. I agree with some respect regarding some Pah. From experience I can honestly say the majority of pets at home do have specialists there on certain days of the week, and a few of the their stores are genuine aquatic centres, I know of a few people who work there and they are all OATA. Trained.

That's weird after reading this I rang two pets at home near me and asked about this and they said they don't have specialists

 

[Wagbo]

I was only giving my opinion on the stores that I have been to. You need to ask for someone who is OATA trained, or ask for the nearest store, who deal with marine. Like I said only my opinion. And alot of the stores both Pah and Maidenhead aquatics are supplied by the same company. I.e JMC AQuatics.

 

[Nomadu571]

The pets at home in Crayford, Kent is an aquatic specialist, and the aquatic manger used to be head of aquatic animals at London zoo and has a masters in marine biology, so he's pretty good for info if you ever need any. They are not all bad, all of my current stock are from various pets at home and are all very healthy, lovely looking fish.

Like pet owners don't tar them all with the same brush.

 

[Mouth-Brooder-Fanatic]

pets at home in norwich, norfolk is good for range in tanks, decos and foods. fish however, they have little knowledge except the essential basics and dont much care. little or no SW or cichlid range, very few tropical other than guppies bettas and tetra. i love a decent range of fish like at my fav garden centre, thats what makes the best store. but i suppose PAH is ok over here x

 

[Wagbo]

I work at Pah. I am OATA trained , I don't claim to have the best advice,but I will honestly say not all people and stores are what you you think. I take a great pride in what I do, I only give advice on what I know. I will never try to give advice off third hand. I use this site to better my knowledge on the hobbie I love, please do no tarnish every person or company with personal experience.

 

[Wagbo]

As a PAH manager. Store manager that is I've only been with the company for 1 year. Can't say any more , other wise my head on the line, a year back I had no interest in fish keeping, but now having worked with people who devote their lives to the integrity of a perfect specimen. Ie not a red betta. Or a yellow parrot " mallawi" parrot fish". I totally appreciate the complexity of fish keeping. I know I seem a bit bi'ast but honestly there are plenty of people who can give very solid advice. Ps. I'm going to buy a " super vc-10 hap" placidochromis milomo. , any one have first hand experience?.

 

[Suzzie]

Hi, just joined and notice comments on Pets at Home. I agree with all comments altho when i visited there was a sign up sayin no fish were for sale at that time, but there were dead fish all over the tanks. I recommend the large pet store in syston leicester or clearwater aquatics in leicester. They are very informative and helpful and stock marine and tropical as well as goldfish.

 

[ACeee]

Hi Suzzie,

Welcome to the site. I've not been on here long either but from what i've seen the guys on here have more knowledge than any Pets At Home or actually any other lfs i've visited.

 

[Africancichlidsireland]

The pets at home we have over here are terrible, I wouldn't walk back in through the doors

 

[Guppygirl87]

I have bought all my fish from Swindon pets at home and I found that even their specialist didn't know a lot. They sold me a pleco knowing I had a 48l tank and wen I asked what species it was the specialist said its a south American pleco!! I then looked online and researched myself to find they are all south American. Eventually I found what one I had from another aquatics centre. I have now upgraded my tank due to their mistake. Although I'm glad I did as I love it.

On the many times I have been there I always see dead fish and I mention it every time and they just brush it off and leave them like they don't care. I asked when they would get some more corys as there were 3 dead in the tank, they said they won't get anymore infill the ones there are sold. So they will happily sell poorly fish. It's disgusting! They don't care for them they just want to offload them.

 

[Guppygirl87]

Hi all. I agree with some respect regarding some Pah. From experience I can honestly say the majority of pets at home do have specialists there on certain days of the week, and a few of the their stores are genuine aquatic centres, I know of a few people who work there and they are all OATA. Trained.

It is good to know there are some true dedicated trained staff in some pah stores. There should be more of you around Unfortunately my local doesn't seem to.