Advice on SE Florida freshwater LFSs

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thebiggerthebetter

thebiggerthebetter

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Dec 31, 2009
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Naples, FL, USA
Hi folks, I'll be visiting SE FL (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Homestead, etc.) and would like to check out the best (for my purposes) LFSs in that area. I am after the stores that carry freshwater fish that'd be exciting for an MFK-er - monsters and oddballs like large catfish, arowana, gar, pacu, giant gourami, spiny eel, etc... and especially if they take in large freshwater (I don't do salt water) fish as trade-ins/returns/rescues as often these are the ones I am after.

Your advices and opinions would be tremendously appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
C'mon, Florida, help a brother out?
 
Neighborhood fish farm- take in fish, good for large cichlids, no arowanas right now, some oddballs. No monsters. Mostly community and african cichlids

Exotic aquariums- take in fish, good for oddballs, health risks, one arowana at 6-7" for $80, mostly african and community fish. Can find medium sized fish on occasion.

In broward county:

All fish emporium- oddballs, rare africans, central and South American cichlids, catfish (small sizes). Do not do trade ins.

Beverlys pet center- monsters if your willing to pay big $ they over price any over grown fish, oddballs, cichlids, mostly community though. Luck of the draw if you find something. Ive walked out of here one weekend with 8 bags of fish and the next with none.




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Colleagues, thanks so much! Let me use you as a sound board a bit, if you will. Please, don't perceive me as ungrateful but as someone who wants to learn more.

1. "Neighborhood fish farm" appreas to be 80% about goldfish and koi. From their website and the reviews, I gathered that they don't do MFK-type fish. Their website shows only one type - a freshwater stingray. But I believe you, Toshmadness: are those RTCs for display/attraction only or trade-ins for sale? And how rare is it for them to get MFK-type fish (large already or still young)? It sounds one would be wise to call them first to see what they have before coming a long way, right?

2. "Exotic aquariums" website is strange, mildly put. Can't get any idea of their stock from it. Reviews appear to indicate it is along the same lines as "Neighborhood fish farm". Woofy makes it sounds much more interesting, but probably again, with a call beforehand...?

3. From the web, "All fish emporium" appears to be all about salt water. Thanks to Woofy, we know they do some f/w. Does not sound too promising though, right?

4. "Beverlys pet center" appears as boring as the three previous ones when surfing the web but from what Woofy said, it appears worth a visit.

I tremendously appreciate your input guys. So far, I don't see solid winners, hardcore fish stores that carry MFK-grade stock along with all others, of the likes of "Shark Aquarium", Hillside, NJ, "The Fish Place", Buffalo/Tonawanda, NY, "Pets Plus", Lockport, NY, "Aquarium and Puppy Center", Waterbury, CT, etc.
 
None of the websites of stores market to mfk like people. Thats not where the money is in for local business. I would take people that go there every weekend seriously before their websites.

Like ive said ive walked out with bags and bags of fish sometimes because theyve had awesome things and none the next weekend. Neighborhood fish farm has a back pond filled with oscars, midevils, mayans and they have pricey flowerhorns.


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Thanks Woofy! I sure agree with you as I am thinking the same thing and I do put your feedback first. From what you are saying, calling ahead is always a good idea.
 
Sorry for the late response, but like woofy said most of these websites don't market towards people like us. And as for Neighborhood fish farm they recieve donations (large fish) from people who can no longer keep their animals. The Red tail catfish they currently have are for sale, but beware they do typically overprice big fish.
 
Neighborhood fish farm will ask for laughworthy prices for large specimens of common fish, like$60 for a large canal caught mayan cichlid...of those stores listed, Beverly has the largest individual specimens for sale (allfish will have interesting oddballs and cichlids, but at juvenile sizes)...but beverley's large fish are in an indoor pond with no listed price, and if you ask, they will ask their fishroom manager (or whatever title) and he'll basically make up a price that will induce gutbusting laughter, since these are mostly large specimens of common cheap fish that you can't even give away for free on craigslist. if you're ok with small fish that you're willing to grow out, all fish is best bet imo
 
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