good lfs in MA

[LMOUTHBASS]

boston area??? anyone got some suggestions?

[tomm10]

Whatsa matta? My earlier suggestions not good enough for you? :D

When I got my first tank way back in October I went nuts trying to visit every shop in Mass to find a good LFS. I have been to a lot!

I can say that as an all around shop, Tropic Isle in Framingham is easily the best. They have the largest selection of fish but FW and SW that I have found. They also carry alot of quality equipment like Eheim ( I think they might be one of the only qualified dealers in MA), and a pretty good selection of plants which is one thing most shops are really lacking. Their prices are good but not amazing and their help is friendly and fairly knowledgeable.

The Fish Nook in Acton is okay but a hike for you and their prices are not that great.

Curious Creatures in Beverly used to be a great shop at one time but the last time I was in there I found AT LEAST one dead/half eaten fish in every tank. Completely disgusting.

Uncle Ned's Fish Factory is another good shop although I haven't "dealt" with them. They do carry and awful lot of cichlids and I think they may even breed some of them.

I can't vouch for them personally but I have heard good things about Boston Tropical Fish & Reptiles. A friend of mine uses them for his LFS and gets along well with the owner who is friendly.

You'd think there's be more great shops in an area like Boston but that's about all I know of. Any others I' been to or heard of are pretty disappointing or run of the mill.

Hope that helps.

[LMOUTHBASS]

tomm i did check out tropical isle - it was a pretty cool store huge selection of fish - i thought their salt water was a little better i like how they had all those little tanks keeping like one specimen in each that was neat - staff seems smart - when i went they didnt have much of what i was looking for but def worth the trip overall prob one of the best i've been to -
i just wanna see if any one's got any hidden jewels aroun here!
not sure where you live (town) but i also use water paradise gardens in whitman and lovely pets in quincy both are on the smaller side but have pretty good selections! i have been going crazy visiting every where lately! hahaha
thanks for the info

[tomm10]

I know what you mean!

I hadn't heard of Water Paradise Gardens! That sounds like a worthwile trip to me. I'm in Bolton (next to Marlborough) so Tropic Isle is really about the closest shop to me.

Hmmm, I have a family party in Randolph on Saturday and quincy isn't that far away. Maybe I'll be leaving for the party a bit early :p

[LMOUTHBASS]

thats funny i dont live to far from randolph - hahaha - anyhow go to lovely pets - best way is to cut through braintree 5 corners past the south shore plaza hope on the highway heading to boston (for about 1 minute) you'll see a sign for quincy bear towards that quincy center and lovely pets is tucked away right over there near the T
the other one is in whitman thats the other direction heading towards brckton only about 20 mins from where you'll be theyir ok too i think it's called water paradise garddens - they claim to be the biggest aquatics sote in NE i think - you can take rt 139 to junction 18 to get to them - i'd give em a call they'll give you directions straight to them - both are worth checking out while your int he area - if you keep live plants the place in quincy has pretty nice selection

[brookline45]

I use Tropical Isle for all livestock. I have found their fish to be very healthy.

FYI - The Fish Nook in Acton carries Bio-spira. I think this is the only LFS in the Boston area that has it.

[shewlett]

The Fish Nook in Acton does carry BioSpira, they are the only place in eastern Mass. and N.H. that does. Their prices for the filters I looked at, Penguin Mini w/ Bio Wheel and AC Mini, were sky high at $39.99. Also, they had two dead bettas out of about twelve in small jars.

Tropic Isle in Framingham has a large selection and for the most part the pricing is reasonable for retail ... I ended up getting an AC Mini there for $21.98. Their fish seem healthy. We bought two corydoras julii there that are doing just great a month later. I did notice 1 dead betta in their betta barracks of about fourteen fish sharing filtration.

[fishfrenze]

Tomm,
Forgive me for hijacking, but I noticed you're from Bolton. Had to say hi...I grew up in Lancaster and went to Nashoba. Now I'm in the seacoast area in NH. Small world :)

Before I got into fishkeeping, we had a 10g...went to Aquarium Center in Boylston. Not sure if its still there or even if its a good place, but I remember that it seemed like they had alot of fish (of course I was a little kid..everything seems different at that age :) ). Last time I was home to visit, my mom took me to a new fish store in Clinton. I can't remember the name, but they only had like 5 tanks...some nice Koi and some other larger fish. However, the guy seemed pretty knowledgeable and it sounded like he was going to really expand. It might turn out to be a nice place in a year or two...who knows??

Take care,
Melanie

[tomm10]

I'm actually not from Bolton originally. I moved here about a year and a half ago. In fact, the only reason I know Lancaster is I ride my road bike through there :D

Thanks for the tip on the shop in Clinton, Melanie. I'm always looking for new places and even small shops often have something to offer.

That reminds me! There's a shop on Rt 20 in Marlborough called All Things Fishy (http://www.officeaqua.com/mainpage.htm) (they may be listed as Office Aquariums too) that fills a niche. They sell Less Than Perfect tanks and stands for discounted prices. You can get good deals on tanks that are brand new and perfectly sound but have minor flaws like screwed up trim. They have a moderate selection of fresh and salt water fish too.

[LMOUTHBASS]

guys - tomm post back here if you check out the place in quincy - curious to see what you think of it since you've been to so many stores! i've been using them mainly cause they are sort of a specialty type place - you know can get stuff you can't get at other places! check out their salt section even though you keep fresh it's neat

[Brambler]

Wish we had a nice big selection of places like that out here in Western Mass., the choices here are so limited. :sick:

[LMOUTHBASS]

but you've got UMASS!!! you've got plenty selection of fish - especially drunk ones!!! ;) - jk

[Brambler]

Too true! I've had plenty of those though, I'm an alum and now I work here (UMass). :D

[fishypoo2]

My dad co-owns:
Aquatic InXteriors, 732 Washington St. (Rte. 138, Stoughton Ctr.) Stoughton, MA. aquaticinxteriors.com

Others:
Lovely Pets, 69 Parkingway, Quincy, MA. foraquariums.com
Pisces Tropical Aquarium, 74 Sea St., N. Weymouth, MA.
Gills Tropical Fish, 361 Boylston St., Brookline
Uncle Ned's Fish Factory, 1590 Main St. (Rte. 109), Millis, MA unclenedsfishfactory.com

All are owned by friends of mine, and good shops

[Uncle Bete]

Randy, Is that mag. related to Marine Fish Monthly? I used to read that, yrs ago. I even tried the denitrate substrate in a 25 gal. freshwater tank that I read about in there. Worked!

[Banky]

I live in SE MA also, and will again recommend lovely pets in quincy. The owner is a very nice guy and knows his stuff. The selection there is also better than most other places around.

[matty150]

this is weird cus my family lives in randolph. i use lovely pets in quincy also, place is like a dungeon but he has a good selection. Steve the owner is a nice guy. that place in framingham is awesome. Also try belmont pet in brockton, its small but has a descent selection. there is a new place in stoughton i think its already been metioned, i think it deals primarily with high end cichlids and stuff, i think????, correct me if im wrong... . There are petcos and petsmart all over the south shore but they suck.

[fishypoo2]

Hi,

No, Tropical Fish Monthly isn't related to Marine Fish Monthly, just a similar name.

Aquatic InXteriors is mostly cichlids and saltwater, but a lot of other stuff also.

[matty150]

i just went to that store exotic inxteriors the other day, its a cool store really done up nice, they are just startin up though. im lookin forward to goin there in the future.

[LMOUTHBASS]

is that one in stoughton you said? where abouts roughly? thanks

[matty150]

its right in stoughton center, its a small place but you'll find it if you ride right through stoughton center.

[LMOUTHBASS]

whats the variety like - is it near the army - navy store or more towards the town spa?
i'm always looking for new lfs

[LMOUTHBASS]

GO PATS!!! WHOOO!!! WE'RE GOIN TO HOUSTON!!!:laugh:

[tomm10]

LMB, we made it all the way to Lovely Pets on Saturday only to find out they close at 6 (this was at 6:09). I guess I should have checked but figured they'd be open at least that late on a Saturday :confused: My bad. Next time I will definitely call.

Went to All Things Fishy in Marlborough on Saturday too. They have a good selection of rocks and petrified wood by the pound. I picked up 10 lbs of slate pieces and made a bunch of caves and hiding spots.

Two weeks until the Pats skin the Cats!

[LMOUTHBASS]

man - they are usually open later on sat i thought? you gotta try them again sometime though!

[fishypoo2]

Sometimes Steve is there later, but locks the door at 6:00, next time, try calling the store and see if he's still there.

[matty150]

went to lovely pets tonight to look at arowanas, the little guys looked a bit shabby so headed over to belmont pet in brockton. he had some beautys, about 8-10 inches or so for 70 bucks. anyone else know where i can get a baby aro around here.

[fishypoo2]

There's a 1 foot Silver arowana at Aquatic InXteriors in Stoughton

[LMOUTHBASS]

how's the shop in brockton?? - where it located?

[matty150]

that 1 foot silver is too big for me start off with. i want to start offf with something a bit samller and work my way up. the place in brockton is called belmont pet. you take route 24 south from randolph and get off at exit 17A. you follow that road all the way until you get to the two big supermarkets, i think they are either star market or shaws or stop and shop...anyways its behind the supermarkets on torrey street.

[LMOUTHBASS]

any of you guys got a tank bigger than a 55g and want some free very nice healthy pictus cats? i want to get them a bigger home to live in - my tank is too crowded on the bottom - they need more swimming space

[matty150]

i have a 150 but im not lookin to add anything like that. pictus cat are awesome but i dont have the room.

[Duke107]

Unfortunatly I live in TO (not that TO is the problem), rather your in Boston. :sad

[fishypoo2]

I can tanke the pictus cats. I live in RI, but travel to Boston, Stoughton and Weymouth often.

[Tom15]

Lovely Pets is a great store with a great selection and good prices. The owner knows his stuff.

Paradise Gardens in Whitman has a huge supply of plants goldfish and great koi. Their tropical fish selection is good and the prices are good.

Both stores are certainly worth the trip

[LMOUTHBASS]

i coul meet you in weymouth somewhere thats close for me - how big is your tank ?
i am considering re arranging my tank so there is more swimming room for them they are a great fish the problem is i have the middle of my tank planted and there doesn't seem to be enough room for the pictus because they are so active - so i always see them stuck swimming in place against the glass - although they sometimes explore more of the tank

[fishypoo2]

Hi,
I have dozens of tanks. The largest include: a 300g, 75, (2) 55, etc. Do you (or can you) go to the BAS meetings at the Aquarium?

[LMOUTHBASS]

i suppose i coul go to the meetings at the aquarium - what are they about and when is it?
what do you have in mind -
???

[fishypoo2]

Boston Aquarium Society (http://www.bostonaquariumsociety.org)

Meets the third Monday of the month at the New England Aquarium's Exploration Center, Central Wharf, Boston MA.

It's just like a regular club. I was thinking you could bring your cats to the next meeting to give them to me and hang out for the night. Meeting starts at 7:30/8, ends about 10/10:30.

[Banky]

What goes on at an average meeting? The home page looks interesting.

[tomm10]

I've had interest in this too. Information would be appreciated.

[JeremyD]

WHOA!!! Mass people!!!!!!!!

I though I was the only one!

Sadly I'm a bit out of the boston area. I'm living up in worcester (for school) but I'm originally from New Bedford. Either way I guess I'm still about an hour out of boston.

Nice to see some locals though.....

None of you guys would happen to have any extra tanks for sale would you???:D

[tomm10]

No extra tanks here but I'm pretty close to you in Bolton.

I noticed when I was leaving Uncle Ned's in Medway the other day that they had a sign on the door about free used tanks. This was only last Friday so maybe you could give them a call.

I also know a guy in Salem who has some tanks he's offered to sell to me (sadly I have no room). He isn't advertising them but I think he is still trying to get rid of them.

[fishypoo2]

Usuall the first and last half hour before and after the meetings are a discussion, the main portion is someone who has come to talk about something they know alot about (like catfish, for instance), then we have a auction and a bowl show for members fish and supplies. There is also a raffle for prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Half of the money raised in that raffle is given to the winner. There is aslo refreshments and members are given discounts to area stores (like Aquatic InXteriors, Gills, Tropic Isle, etc...). I usually have a table in the corner of the room where I sell my magazine (Tropical Fish Monthly).

It's really a good time, membership is only $15, but non-members can come too. You should all come down!

[LMOUTHBASS]

sounds like fun! i think i will have to come by in Feb !!! you guys talk a lot about tropical fish?

[tomm10]

It sounds like this might be a chance for a bunch of the Mass ACers to meet. I think I'll try to be there.

[LMOUTHBASS]

souns like a great idea - lets post a reminder when the aquarium thing is closer
i know i want to go check it out maybe join in
plus it woul be sort of cool to know who your talking to online lol
hey we've got 4 pages of posts here now!!! MA representing

[fishypoo2]

That's what the club is all about, hobbyists like us getting together to talk and learn about FISH!

Come on down to the February meeting: Monday, Feb. 16 at 7:30

Remember: New England Aquarium Exploration Center, Central Wharf, Boston MA. If you don't know where the Exploration Center is, go to the guy at the reception desk at the Aquarium and ask for the "fish club," he can direct you there.

[fishypoo2]

Just remember, when you go there, I'll be the kid in the corner with the magazines, so be sure to say hi.

[Banky]

Is your magazine sold at news stands?

[fishypoo2]

Not yet...

It's only sold at Lovely Pets, Pisces Tropical Aquarium, Gills Tropical Fish, Aquatic InXteriors, at the NEC Convention, and the BAS meetings. Also, occasionally at area auctions (like the Pioneer Valley Aquarium Society Auction on Feb. 8th).

[tomm10]

Also, occasionally at area auctions (like the Pioneer Valley Aquarium Society Auction on Feb. 8th).

Aaahhh, more interesting stuff. Where and what is this event? I tried a google search but the only site I found was last updated 3 years ago.

[fishypoo2]

Here's the "lowdown":

Aquarist Day 2004
Feb. 8, 2004
at the Enfield Elks
138 North MAple St.
Enfield, Ct

Giant Tropical Fish and Dry Goods Auction
to start at 12:00PM SHAPR
Food & Refreshments will be available, plus FREE COFFEE
GENERAL PUBLIC WELCOME!

Doors open at 9:30 am for Registration

For more information contact:
Pres. James White (860) 683-2109
Dave&Linda Giza (413) 283-8680 or e-mail: shlegal.pleco3@verizon.net

www.pvas.net

That's their flyer. There's also another auction in Norwalk CT, but it's on Superbowl Sunday (oops...)

[fishypoo2]

Here's another BIG event that brings in people from all over the western hemishpere:

The 29th Annual Convention of the Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies
It is at the Hartford Marriot, in West Hartford (Farmington), CT
It goes from March 19th to the 21st. Most people are renting hotel rooms to stay throughout the weekend. There will be speakers: Lee Finley (Catfish), Dr. Wayne Leibel (Banquet MC), Ivan Dibble (Livebearers), Robert DiMarco (Spawning Clownfish), Scott Michael (Saltwater Fish), Jaap-Jan DeGreef (Collecting Wild Fish), Gary Elson and Mike Hellweg.

This is in my opinion the most fun fish event in the northeast!

To attend the speakers' presentations or banquet, you must pay a registration fee (about $25 for speakers, $30 for banquet). There is also a vendor room in which I will be selling my magazine, TFM. That part is free, as is chatting with hobbyists from all over and the HUGE auction on sunday.

www.northeastcouncil.org

You have to come to this event.

[LMOUTHBASS]

WHOOOOOOOOO!!! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD !!! GO PATS!!!
hahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomm10]

Hard to believe we have a team this good. It feels great!

I had to talk myself out of taking one of my precious few vacation days to go to the parade today. I went in 2002 and froze my @ss off. I hope they put porta potties out there for those poor people this time.

[LMOUTHBASS]

hey fishypoo!!!
are you going to be up in weymouth area -stoughton anytime soon??? i've been thinking about it - as long as you have room for the pictus i'll give em to you as i really dont think they are happy in my 55g - also 2 of my 3 ottos have mysteriously vanished lol hmmmmmm

[fishypoo2]

Sounds like someone had a nighttime snack. I'm usually up most weekends and/or Friday nights. I'll probably be up most of the week of the 14th. I think would be the best to come into Aquatic InXteriors or even the New England Aquarium during that week while I'm there. Thanks,
Ryan

[LMOUTHBASS]

i'm thinking of going to the aquarium thing but not sure if i'll make it - if you tell me when your going to aquatic inexteriors i can meet you there - i was just there the other day - nice store they had some gorgeous pearl gouramis!
i was looking for your mag coulnt find it though

[fishypoo2]

Hi,

I don't know exactly when I'll be there. However, I'll probably be at the New England Aquarium during the week of the 14th. You could also drop them off at the store and they'll hold them for me. By the way, the magazine was on the left side of the counter last time I checked. Thanks,

Ryan