hbluehunter;2243896; said:
I would say this is what 80% of his fish are... Now, i'm not well versed enough yet, to know which ones are super rare... But, he does have like say an albino eureka, that is just rediculously amazing looking. I'd say what the difference is. He won't order in crap. He went without having gold severums for like 7 years, because all the big breeders had ruined what they looked like. Having had them for 15 years + he knows what a good gold is etc. He now just got some back in, but they arnt true golds, they're the red faced golds. They still look nice though.
Stuff like Rubin reds, he has some very nice show pieces he breeds them from. you can definately tell the quality difference from say the rubin reds you'll find at petsmart etc.
Hes got some red fronts, 10 inch male fronts, a group of 6, 6 inch fronts. 100 yellow labs, demasai, every type of peacock you could want. Has tons of haps, from babies to full grown.
Has really nice birchardis, and kribs etc. Imagine 200 fish tanks. Now imagine, they only house cichlids. That takes alot of cichlids to fill those tanks.
Hes got 5 inch jags, red devils, some of the rarer lake catfish, that are 4-6 inches.
Has a True albino horned plecastemous, looks really neat.
Also has moorii and cobalts, etc.
Flowerhorns, although, he'd like to sell em off, and leave chinatown to carry all the flowerhorns, as a big selection of flowerhorns take up alot of room.
What he has had in the past, that i've seen sold.
18 inch ghost knife
2 foot lung fish
other 10+ fronts
Mated pair of midas flowerhorns(not sure on strain)
Dovii juvies
Another thing he has that no other local vendors have is used tanks. I know he has his garage full of tanks, and driveway. He can barely park his truck.
From 10 gallons to 300 gallons, glass and acrylic. Some needing repair, which he can do etc. He needs to take inventory of it.
Also for plants, I forgot hes got some big amazon sword plants, might be mothers. Also has anubius that he's had growing in there for 5 years. The biggest anubius plants i've seen in person. He just never had a price on them!
From what i'm told, he has years of choice rock and wood at home, that he'll be able to bring in, once we make the space. So if youo're in the market, definately take a look.
This guy cares about his fish. He knows alot of about them, what works, what doesnt. If someone else is trying that combination, or if he has it setup himself.
15 years open as a shop. Many more in the hobby.
****How to get to Conway****
Hop on I-5 and go north until you get to exit 221. Turn left off that exit, then take your first right at the gas station. As you go around the gas station you'll see about 10 shops on your left. That is Conway. It is literally 10 buildings. That is also why he has a PO box.
It's definately a bit of a drive. However if you're going past it anyway, it is a must stop. If you're having a "fish day" where you go look at all the fish stock at stores, I also consider it a must stop. Also if you're having a fish crisis. Your fish are doing somethign weird etc. You need answers. Give him a call/ stop by. Lets say you wonna setup a new tank? Come pick up some ceramic rings for filter that are already established etc.
He also sells crushed coral by the pound. If you're like me, you only need a handful for your everett water, not the 15-40 pound bag. The owner Jim, is the fish guy's guy. He knows what you need, and is very accomodating.
If you're looking for any cichlids, definately go to Conway. You can see the parents, and then buy the juvies etc. You know exactly what you're getting. No blind buying off the internet, or wondering if that 16 yr old kid, housed that yellow lab with the oscars for a week before you got it.
I'm gonna take some pictures of the fish room. You'll have an idea what we're talkin about even before you get there
the dats are eating shrimp and earthworms no problems.