Do you guys think the aquarium hobby is growing or dying out?

[PhishMon84]

I guess I'm spoiled I have Uncle Neds Fish Factory which either Practical fish keeping or TFH once considered the best fish store on the east coast of the US. we also have some interesting shops in NH and a store that has been operating since the late 60's in MA who supplies the lab- granted Ned appeals to the committed hobbyist while the others are more general fish with some monsters or specialized. several hole in the wall stores popped up over the last 5 yrs, carrying both your standard offerings and those that are harder to find, like rays, aros, WC fish etc

 

[PhishMon84]

* whos supplies the lab at MIT

 

[SharptoothBass]

I guess I'm spoiled I have Uncle Neds Fish Factory which either Practical fish keeping or TFH once considered the best fish store on the east coast of the US. we also have some interesting shops in NH and a store that has been operating since the late 60's in MA who supplies the lab- granted Ned appeals to the committed hobbyist while the others are more general fish with some monsters or specialized. several hole in the wall stores popped up over the last 5 yrs, carrying both your standard offerings and those that are harder to find, like rays, aros, WC fish etc

we have one good one left that literally has anything you would need in the game. Tank, water, fish, food live frozen or dry, meds, filter parts, rocks, sand, driftwood whatever you could think of. And one newer store that is small but has a very good owner

.

 

[SharptoothBass]

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.

you say people order online to save a few pennies or few dollars that's b.s Just left the store getting pinky mice for my son's lizard. 3 1/2 ounce krill is $27.99 at the store 14 ounce is $59.98. Called the good store that I get my blackworms from and the price was the same. You can see from my Amazon screen shots I've ordered ten 14 ounce cans and three 3 1/2 ounce cans this year. If I would have purchased those cans from the store it would have cost me a extra $245 who in their right mind is gonna do that. That's only the bill for my krill image if I add up all the things I buy in a year. It makes no sense to buy dry goods from a pet store unless you have one little tank.

 

[PhishMon84]

The really old store near me sells this for like $80 for the 14oz. I was getting them via chewy for like $30... before Chewy was acquired by petsmart it was sort of local being based only a half hour from my house.

 

[SharptoothBass]

The really old store near me sells this for like $80 for the 14oz. I was getting them via chewy for like $30... before Chewy was acquired by petsmart it was sort of local being based only a half hour from my house.

Yea the 14 ounce is $38 dollars on Amazon

 

[tlindsey]

The really old store near me sells this for like $80 for the 14oz. I was getting them via chewy for like $30... before Chewy was acquired by petsmart it was sort of local being based only a half hour from my house.

Before I pay $80 for 14oz. of freeze dried krill my datnoid will start eating more Tilapia.

 

[PhishMon84]

Before I pay $80 for 14oz. of freeze dried krill my datnoid will start eating more Tilapia.

i know, its insane. they take liberties on some items but have built a solid customer base since 1968...

Uncle Neds is a far better store but I wont mention the name and drag them