To me,Hidden Reef was much better selection wise when they were still in Philly in the smaller store with their fishroom downstairs in the basement.The current place is just too big,I don't go very often but the place is never crowded when I do drop by.That list you mentioned is the best selection I can recall them having there.I hope they are not in financial trouble.I agree. I think it may be financial difficulty from what I hear around the rumor mill with local industry folks. When they do have nice stuff, it's cheap which is why I like them. They had iguanodectes species tetras, wide bar silver dollars, abramites, red pumpinkseeds, crenicichla johanna, wild large discus, motoro stingrays, megaladoras catfish baby, and black tip hemiodus as notable rare fish on my last visit there. That visit, admittedly, was an exception. They have great wood selection and they are hard to beat when they get a fresh plant order.
It's hit and miss but one of the better shops. The price is also right.
Nemos is more a convenience thing. I like the new owners and built a friendship with Jim who used to work there before under the old manager. Good guys but fish are not healthy and price is too high but they usually worked with me.
I like lawrenceville pets plus because I like Mark Denaro. Hes a cool guy and fun to talk to. He can get some rarer stuff and he keeps a decent new world stock.
Aquarium center has a better selection but prices are higher and the owner doesnt deal with you even when you're prepared to spend a lot of money. Fiah are normally healthy and he gets rare fish from time to time. I go mainly to pick up live blackworms.
Worldwide is a small shop but they get some gems once in a blue moon. The owner is a nice guy and tries tk be helpful. I used to go there when I lived in Lafayette Hill.
Aquarium world is a very small shop but the guy who runs it is affable and flexible.
Lastly, thatpetplace. It's gone downhill but they get some cool stuff from time to time. Namely, rare pikes and rarer CA cichlids. I still remember seeing a tank full of 4 inch acuticeps for 14.99. Til this day, I regret not buying them all.
I have not been to Nemos since Pets Plus bought them.It was a great store when it first opened and for a short time after they split from Big Al's....have I been missing anything there?....BTW I used to work at a Pets Plus store back in the nineties and they used to bring all kinds of stuff in lol.
Which Worldwide were you referring to? I have never heard of Aquarium World and stopped wasting time and gas driving out to TPP a few yeats ago lol.