Really dumb discussions usually. Dopamine addicted consumers on social media and lifelong animal husbandry hobbies really don't seem to mix in my opinion.
Do you guys think the aquarium hobby is growing or dying out?
- Thread starter PartyHacks
- Start date
I don't think anyone is suggesting that you should buy stuff you don't really want; that's not going to do much to help out local businesses.
What's driving a lot of small brick-and-mortar stores under is people who insist on buying items online simply because they are able to save a few pennies or dollars versus buying locally. A lot of them go to a local shop for information or to see and handle the item...and then order online because it's slightly cheaper. Then, when a problem arises, they expect assistance from the local shop again.
Sure, if you are looking for some oddball fish that your local store can't get, then order it...but the bulk of most people's aquarium-related expenses is related to food, supplies and equipment. Buying it locally ensures that the LFS remains open, which may come in very handy someday.
We had lots of stores close here around 6 or 7 years ago. Some of them had been around for 30 or 40 years so it was a bit sad to see some of them go. The last few years a fair few new ones have opened to take their place, they actually seem better than the old ones too, more variety, cheaper equipment etc. We have all the big PetBarns popping up but no serious fishkeepers go near them. One thing I have noticed is all the old shops were on main shopping streets and the new breed are in industrial estates. I guess the rent is cheaper, as they sell a niche product people dont mind travelling a bit out of their way to get to them. I like the fact its always much easier to park the car now instead of driving up and down a bust street ans stuffing money into the meter!
Overall i would say its the hobby is growing or at least stable at a healthy level, most times the shops are busy when I visit, they are all independently owned too so the owner can make decisions on what to order in and stock which keeps things fresh and interesting and have that fish club feeling where you can hang out and chat with the regulars if thats your thing.
Overall i would say its the hobby is growing or at least stable at a healthy level, most times the shops are busy when I visit, they are all independently owned too so the owner can make decisions on what to order in and stock which keeps things fresh and interesting and have that fish club feeling where you can hang out and chat with the regulars if thats your thing.
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there’s an alright Petbarn near me that actually cares about fish, but all the others suck.
there’s an alright Petbarn near me that actually cares about fish, but all the others suck.
I buy live food once a week or every two weeks from the one good store left. That being said I'm not giving them $10-$15 dollars extra for a 14 ounce can of krill just to help them that's stupid. I have three kids one going to college soon I'm not pissing money away to try and keep any store open. I'm not feeding guppies and dry goods, sponge filters and supplies are much cheaper online.
Exactly everyone is not a hobbyist alot of that social media stuff is ludicrous.
Then I guess you just answered your own question, as to why the good stores in your area are no longer. The hobby itself is growing, there is plenty of data to support that for anyone that wants to track it down. The pet industry is a multi billion $$$ industry in the USA, but live fish, especially the odd & unusual niche species, do not make up the bulk of the sales for pet stores that sell live fish. The fish bring the fish keepers in, the sale of dry goods and equipment keep the stores open.
Exactly. The LFS I deal with here in SW FL goes out of his way to price his equipment and dry goods at the same price as Amazon and other big box stores. They also provide free local delivery of tanks and stands (they custom build them) to your home. They provide free water testing for those who feel more comfortable letting someone else do it. They also breed most of the African Cichlids they sell and they are good quality. The store gives first rate advice, instructions and follow up guidance to those who need it. They also respond to phone calls, emails and texts. They are making a positive impact in the community by assisting new aquarists to be successful and enjoying their fish which is paramount to growing and sustaining the hobby. Nothing kills the aquarium hobby faster than new people receiving either bad or no advice and failing miserably with the end result being dead fish. Try calling Amazon for fish advice. You can debate all day whether the hobby is growing or dying but unless you actively do something about it such as supporting local GOOD fish shops, introducing young people to the hobby and helping them be successful, etc. then yeah the hobby may fade away. When your attitude is I have what I need and screw everyone else...well the problem with the hobby may very well be the guy staring back at you in the mirror.
Sounds like a store owner that learned to adapt, there are many others out there that did the same, successfully still operating - but those that stubbornly held on to what worked for 10, 20, or 30+ yrs or more, are gone or soon to be.
