Maryland fish stores?

[Devilishturtles]

Time for a thread update? 8)

Last time I was at Aquarium Center, they were renovating. It looked like they were taking sections of tanks at a time, ripping them out, and putting in new tanks. Who knows, maybe it was just the 2 sections I saw, and that was it.

Does anyone know if they are under new management or anything like that?

While their SW supplies continue to reel me in, their livestock is going farther and farther downhill. I was very unsatisfied with the disorganization of the service, and the lack of healthy products. But, they are still the cheapest around for salt mix and other supplies.

Still waiting to make that trip to Exotic Aquatics with Fluff.

[Fluff]

Hey girl, I might be making the trek this weekend. I am hoping to meet up with some folks to pass out some xenya, I can bring yours along as well if you want.
I was at AC this past weekend and they were working under the sw tanks. I think they are just updating things. Did you notice the huge 500g display is about empty? A crash perhaps? Hmmm.

[macman7010]

Fluff, how far are you from morgantown, wv?

[Fluff]

I'm a bit over 2.5hrs away.

[macman7010]

Oh you are farther than I thought. My girl friend lives in Morgantown about 35 min from where I live in MD. We go to Wet Pets a lot and was thinking if you were closer on our next run we could meet up somewhere and ride together.

[Devilishturtles]

Fluff, thanks for the offer. I'lll YIM 'ya and let you know if I can go or not. 8)

Haven't seen the 500 gal display at AC, but hope it wasn't a crash. That tank sure was awesome.

I know the livestock at Exotic's is nice, but how is the price? Are they reasonable there? I may be looking into some new purchases soon *insert evil laugh*

[Fluff]

They are about the same as AC on their livestock prices but I can guarantee you you'll get better quality at EA and a larger coral selection.

Hey, even if you can't make the trip, I can drop your corals off on my way though. I have to go right by there soo, just let me know.

[aquanewbie72]

I live in the DC area and I also visit Tropical Fish World in Gaithersburg. The people there seem very knowledgable and they are VERY nice and very patient. And the best thing is... if you ask someone a question and they don't know the answer, they'll find someone who knows - they don't just guess or give you a line of BS. LOL
I also visit Congressional Aquarium a lot - they are here in Rockville. They seem to be going through a bad time right now - stock of fish is low, and the fish they have don't look healthy. Although I saw a couple signs on some of their huge display tanks that eluded to the fact that they were trying to sell them because they were moving. Maybe thats the issue- they are keeping things low-key so they have less to move. Also, some of their staff don't seem very knowledgable - seems like there are a few "kids" who work there just to make some $$$ and do what they are told. When I have an important question, I always look for this older gentleman who I think is maybe the owner or manager.

[Fluff]

I've been to Tropical Fish World only once and it was a bad experience. They were just getting the sw section up at the time and I'm sure that had a good bit to do with it. I'm glad to hear they have improved and perhaps it's time for me to give them a second chance.

[Devilishturtles]

I have been to Tropical Fish World once also, about 2 years ago. It was mediocre in my opinion, but not bad. Never been to Congressional Aquarium, but haven't really heard very good things about them.

[iderbus]

i live on Ft. meade, and recently i got a german ram from Today's pets in the columbia mall. amazingly we are at a month and he is doing great. lol i am beyond happy and surprised. the reason i had to buy him there was because i have been to all the fish stores i know of in my area and they were the only ones that carried them. my problem is that i would like to get a female german ram, but the pet store only caries males off all the species they have. i went to House of Tropicals, and they carry Bolivian rams. When i went to the store in Randlstown, well lets just say i wont be going back. Does any one know of any LFS that i have missed that might carry them?
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!

[Devilishturtles]

You can try Exotic Aquatics in Balitmore. It would be a hike up I-295 for you, but I hear they are wonderful. I've never been myself.

http://www.exoticaquatics.com/index.html

Try giving them a call before you make the trek and ask if they carry them.

BTW, Why was your experience so bad at Randallstown? They used to be so good...and they've been going slowly downhill for a while now it seems.

[Fluff]

Randallstown is a crap shoot depending on what day you go. You can still find some good fish there sometimes. Exotics is the best lfs in the area.

[iderbus]

thank you so much! im hoping to talk my hubby into a trip this weekend! i had heard of Exotics but i didnt want to travel that far and end up like i did at Randallstown. which by the way you are all so right about. i just moved here but i was not impressed. the staff seemed like a bunch of kids just looking to make money. the tanks were full of dead fish. they told me they got a bad shipment, but im not so sure on that one. but since it was my only trip there i could be wrong.

[Fluff]

I don't normally see dead fish but some days you go and the fish seem real lethargic. It may have to do with the shipments, I don't know. The sw stuff is normally worse than the fw. But, they have a decent selection of drygoods for decent prices and that is what I normally go for. Exotics is top notch and really worth the trip. I travel from WV because they have the best livestock that I've found.

[iderbus]

wow well if your willing to travel from WV there then its most deffinetly worth my time. LOL my trip would nearly be that long. I called them and the guy said he wasnt sure if he had any right now, but when i plan to come call and someone will look so that its not a wasted trip. thanks so much, i just knew it was going to be impossible for me to find a femal. i go to house of tropicals almost every other week just to see if they have any. I LOVE THAT STORE. but it didnt seem like they were going to get any in. THANK YOU SO MUCH again!!!!

[AMANIQU77]

Tropical Fish World on 355 in Gaithersburg is a pretty decent place. Their fish is overpriced. Their corals are overpriced. But wait, they hold 35 - 65% off sales three times a week.

Also, if you ever catch the guy on shipment day, he gives you deals. Especially if you make friends with him.

There were cleaner shrimps that arrived on shipment day (Fridays twice a month, I believe). It lists as $39.99. But then this guy runs around with a packing list in his hands. He sold two for me for the total price of $41.50. Whoa!

Also, very clean corals. He trades too.

Their bread and butter is Cichlids, though. This guy finds cichlids like you won't believe. Peacocks, Mbunas (that are beautiful and not hybrids. Wild caught if you are lucky but is very common in that store), tropheus, this store is insanely cool! they need to rearrange their store though. A but cluttery.

Congressional Aquarium just moved to a bigger spot a couple of months ago next door. Most of the people but two who work there are i d i o t s. Look for David or Chris. They are the man. However, they have ich-tainted tanks. Beware!! Don't buy from them! You were warned.

Aquatic Creations in Ijamsville on 355 is awesome too. He QTs all of the fish before selling them. Also, he doesn't mix fish with corals. He has awesome coral prices and better quantities.

Rick's fish and Pet is a no no. Very poor service from those kids. And don't talk to Rick. He's a car salesman. He only wants to persuade you to buy. Anyways, I had a bad experience. It's a very very redneck store. Hit and miss on fish and corals. But very unsanitary in the back. YUCK.

Annendale Super Pets in Virginia is a good one. I recommend that store.

Fish Factory on Russel St. Lake Forrest Mall area is OK. But their hours are rediculous. It's like catching a flick. Very unpredictable, though consistently varying.

[aquanewbie72]

I agree - I have stopped buying livestock at Congressional because nothing ever survived from there more than a few weeks and I ALWAYS ended up with ich after introducing a "Congressional" fish. I've been there once since they moved into their bigger store- and honestly the fish didn't look any healthier. Bright new clean store with the same old tanks with listless sickly fish.

I do love Tropical Fish World - I have had great success with their fish. Never been to Fish Factory on Russell Street yet.

[AMANIQU77]

Tropical Fish World has healthy fish from fresh to salt species. Even their corals are taken care. They don't have any parasites in their corals. And the corals I buy from them always double in size after a month. On the contrary, the corals I buy from congressional are very weakling.

The only good thing about Congressional is price. It's pretty decent. With that said, their service has gone down tremendously. And their tank is, by now, pretty popular as ich factories. So if you don't mind the ich, buy from them. I guarantee to you that the fish you buy from them will either die or infect some other specimen to death.

[AMANIQU77]

Originally Posted by AMANIQU77

Tropical Fish World on 355 in Gaithersburg is a pretty decent place. Their fish is overpriced. Their corals are overpriced. But wait, they hold 35 - 65% off sales three times a week.

Correction: "sale three to four times A YEAR. Huge difference.