This Hobby

[Tropical Joe]

Boy , I wish this Hobby of fish keeping was as big here as on the west cost. I put up a trio of desirable Geo's show size and not one response. And it was a a very generous price. Not one offer ?? I also seen this on other listings as well. I live in Queens NY and I know every pet shop around and a lot that is not so close. Its a shame I have to travel far to go to nice pet shops to find nice good quality fish. Furthermore, its nice to get a warm welcome in these stores where we spend our hard earn money. (Year right - That will never happen). So now I don't mind traveling far and maybe even pay a bit more. At lest the owner will appreciate the business. Anyone want to go partners on opening a fantastic super head spinning fish store ? LOL I'm serious---

 

[jaws7777]

From nyc too and i agree. Its a waste land in terms of good lfs.

I hate having to drive to nj for decent stores.

 

[kno4te]

I used to live in queens, ny for a good portion on my life. Glen oaks/belle rose area.

There used to be lots of aquariums and it has dwindled down a bit.

Every 2-4 weeks I was at shark aqaurium when i had/got a ride. Traveling for the good stuff. It was inevitable.

 

[Justin David]

i would love to.

 

[duanes]

You may find this is true everywhere.
I found to get the fish I wanted, I either had to go to at least 2 local aquarium societies within 100 miles of each other, and hope someone was breeding them, or to order on line.
And a good price may be relative, I had H carpintus location chairel, and Australoheros red ceibal,
3 for $1, and had few takers

I also had hundreds of Nosferatu beani for sale at $2 each, had maybe 2 takers, and when I had hundreds of haitiesus, I had to give them away, after a handful paid less than $1 each.
You've got to figure in every city of 1 million people, if 2 aquarists want any certain species you have, at any certain time, you're lucky.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

You may find this is true everywhere.
I found to get the fish I wanted, I either had to go to at least 2 local aquarium societies within 100 miles of each other, and hope someone was breeding them, or to order on line.
And a good price may be relative, I had H carpintus location chairel, and Australoheros red ceibal,
3 for $1, and had few takers

I also had hundreds of Nosferatu beani for sale at $2 each, had maybe 2 takers, and when I had hundreds of haitiesus, I had to give them away, after a handful paid less than $1 each.
You've got to figure in every city of 1 million people, if 2 aquarists want any certain species you have, at any certain time, you're lucky.

Chicago has some decent shops but when I try to sell fish its a hit or a miss. I'll have some people who will buy dozens and then some will haggle 3$ asking price for one. I eventually sell them all or trade or give them for free when I see my higher end fish. Now what I do is only take out 100-200 fry and let the parents eat them or the next fry batch will be eaten by them. Usually parents will eat them but with my Midas I got at least 1000-2000 fry every batch but that took a while.

 

[duanes]

I agree about Chicago, I took hundreds of haits, and gave then away at a gcca meeting, and would take many fry to gcca auctions. The later auction sale checks would never come close to covering the gas for my 200 mile round trip, but the auctions were often where I'd pick up species I hadn't kept before.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I agree about Chicago, I took hundreds of haits, and gave then away at a gcca meeting, and would take many fry to gcca auctions. The later auction sale checks would never come close to covering the gas for my 200 mile round trip, but the auctions were often where I'd pick up species I hadn't kept before.

GCCA swap meet was a lot better about 8 years ago when I started going. The swap meets had everything there from odd balls to you name it and they actually had tanks. Now they have everything bagged up for the most part and 60-70 percent all are African cichlids which I personally don't like. I liked when they had them in tanks so I can see them properly and see how they are interacting even if it was a 10 gallon.

I wanted to go and check out recently to buy some datnoids, fire eels, flag tails, and some other fish maybe even a ray. None were there and I left within 20 minutes. What I did notice was there was nice fish being sold in the parking lot. I asked a few people who had buckets and everyone just meets up there and sells them.

 

[duanes]

Yes I agree about the parking lot, some people (with not enough to sell to make it worth while to get a table, or time to sit), or felt the auction was iffy, would place adds in the gcca classifieds, and you could meet them in the lot or lobby (when it was warm enough).
A few years back I picked up 30 Guinacara that way for maybe $1 each, before walking in the auction.
I figure the seller thought he might only get a quarter of that, if bagged for the auction.
I've also had friends attend the swaps, and pick up pre-ordered bags when I couldn't make it. The last swap I ended up with half dozen Astatheros robertsoni.

And I agree, most swaps and auctions are definitely overkill with Africans, but I also believe that's what the general public wants.

 

[jaws7777]

I used to live in queens, ny for a good portion on my life. Glen oaks/belle rose area.

There used to be lots of aquariums and it has dwindled down a bit.

Every 2-4 weeks I was at shark aqaurium when i had/got a ride. Traveling for the good stuff. It was inevitable.

I love shark ! Aquascspe and absolutely fish are ok too