National Local Fish Store Meet Up Day: Saturday, July 13, 2013
Sonny Disposition
Active Member
Really, I think, the location isn't too important. It's the idea that some of us do something. (It's better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.)
For my money, Tropical Lagoon is small, but it's an institution and shouldn't be missed.
MD HOT has, far and away, the biggest and best selection (although I don't know about the restaurants there.)
Congressional Aquarium is the best stocked in MoCo, but they tend to be pricey, and they sometimes don't get around to culling the sick fish.
There's another small store on the Montgomery Frederick line-- mostly goldfish and pond stuff, but some freshwater as well. I could see combining a visit to that store with a trip up to Frederick to see Rick's. It's intermediate between Trop Lagoon and Congressional in size, but the fish there are exquisitely well cared for. (It's a little more expensive than I would have guessed for being far outside DC, but I guess you need to pay for stuff that's been well cared for.) I did a blog post on them awhile back. For some reason, the page isn't loading right now, but you'll see it if you scroll down from the main page.) There's a Sal Mex restaurant in the same shopping center, but I've never been in there.)
For my money, Tropical Lagoon is small, but it's an institution and shouldn't be missed.
MD HOT has, far and away, the biggest and best selection (although I don't know about the restaurants there.)
Congressional Aquarium is the best stocked in MoCo, but they tend to be pricey, and they sometimes don't get around to culling the sick fish.
There's another small store on the Montgomery Frederick line-- mostly goldfish and pond stuff, but some freshwater as well. I could see combining a visit to that store with a trip up to Frederick to see Rick's. It's intermediate between Trop Lagoon and Congressional in size, but the fish there are exquisitely well cared for. (It's a little more expensive than I would have guessed for being far outside DC, but I guess you need to pay for stuff that's been well cared for.) I did a blog post on them awhile back. For some reason, the page isn't loading right now, but you'll see it if you scroll down from the main page.) There's a Sal Mex restaurant in the same shopping center, but I've never been in there.)
jonclark96
Past CCA President
Santa Rosa is the Salvadorian restaurant in the shopping center with Rick's and has really great food.
Jmoore
Members
Jeff721
Members
House of Tropicals is in Glen Burnie. If you've never been, you should go. It's a worthwhile trip.
Becca
Members
He's Peter, let's say he thanked me in his own way, LOL!
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Congressional Aquarium is great. For us that grew up in Montgomery County, they are an institution. They have a nice selection (salt and fresh), clean store, helpful employees and are into supporting the club.
As for high prices, you pay for the above benefits imo. Let's be honest here and point out something that some may not realize... anyone want to take a crack at what rent must be at that location? I'd guess at least $20K per month... that's a whole lot of cardinal tetras, lol.
Like any LFS, I think it's safe to say that the owner is not diving through a giant vault of gold coins "Scrooge McDuck-style." The prices are what they have to be to keep the ship afloat and the crew happy.
Becca
Members
All good points, but last time I visited (mother's day) there were dead fish in almost every tank, very obvious ich infestations in 1/3 of the tanks, and NO fish under quarantine. I've been there a handful of times, but this is what I find every time.
If I walked in and they had overpriced healthy stock, it'd be another story. I want to like it there - it's the biggest store in my area with the best dry-goods selections.
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
All good points, but last time I visited (mother's day) there were dead fish in almost every tank, very obvious ich infestations in 1/3 of the tanks, and NO fish under quarantine. I've been there a handful of times, but this is what I find every time.
If I walked in and they had overpriced healthy stock, it'd be another story. I want to like it there - it's the biggest store in my area with the best dry-goods selections.
Well that certainly is no good. :unsure:
Forester
Members
Tropical Lagoon is less than 10 blocks from my house and Steve has always been very nice to me. They have a lot of nice big pieces of malaysian driftwood for $3 a pound. Its small but everything is normally healthy and he always has what i need for a reasonable price. Ill talk to him about a meet up or something there.
JLW
CCA Members
I'm actually a fan of Congressional. They definitely support the shop, and the owner (Jay) is good people, as are most of the staff (except Greg, and tell him I said that!). It's a great store, where many of the staff have worked for -years-. You know you have to be doing something right when some of these people, many of whom are definitely top notch fish geeks, are there for a decade. You try working retail for that long.
The prices are higher than what you'll get at other stores -- though I don't think they're that bad. Most fish are reasonably priced, though there are some that are really high. But, you have to pay to keep your good employees, to keep the store stocked, and to pay that rent. . . and that means higher margins.
They have a lot of tanks, and I do sometimes see sick fish in there -- it happens everywhere. They're fairly scrupulous about not selling them when they are sick, which is far more telling than having a few sick fish. Everyone gets them sometimes. Heck, I once had a case of ich, that one time.
The prices are higher than what you'll get at other stores -- though I don't think they're that bad. Most fish are reasonably priced, though there are some that are really high. But, you have to pay to keep your good employees, to keep the store stocked, and to pay that rent. . . and that means higher margins.
They have a lot of tanks, and I do sometimes see sick fish in there -- it happens everywhere. They're fairly scrupulous about not selling them when they are sick, which is far more telling than having a few sick fish. Everyone gets them sometimes. Heck, I once had a case of ich, that one time.
Sonny Disposition
Active Member
These all sound good to me,folks.
JLW
CCA Members
Personally, I think you all should come spend mone--I mean time -- at Batfish.
jonclark96
Past CCA President
Personally, I think you all should come spend mone--I mean time -- at Batfish.
I agree. Support those who support the club.
Forester
Members
I would like to come visit sometime. When could you arrange another tour? thanks
AquaStudent
Members
Batfish is having a BBQ next month. Check out their section. It looks like a great time!
Forester
Members
I sadly cant come ill be at a lake house.
Sonny Disposition
Active Member
I don't know about you, but I'LL BE AT BATFISH next month.
Becca
Members
I'm actually a fan of Congressional. They definitely support the shop, and the owner (Jay) is good people, as are most of the staff (except Greg, and tell him I said that!). It's a great store, where many of the staff have worked for -years-. You know you have to be doing something right when some of these people, many of whom are definitely top notch fish geeks, are there for a decade. You try working retail for that long.
The prices are higher than what you'll get at other stores -- though I don't think they're that bad. Most fish are reasonably priced, though there are some that are really high. But, you have to pay to keep your good employees, to keep the store stocked, and to pay that rent. . . and that means higher margins.
They have a lot of tanks, and I do sometimes see sick fish in there -- it happens everywhere. They're fairly scrupulous about not selling them when they are sick, which is far more telling than having a few sick fish. Everyone gets them sometimes. Heck, I once had a case of ich, that one time.
Very true. Maybe my experiences there just aren't typical? I'm used to seeing tanks with sick fish visibly quarantined, but just not selling the fish when they're sick is a fine way to do things, too.
dogofwar
CCA Members
Most stores simply don't have room for quarantine. I can't imagine Congressional forking out for the extra floor space for it at the rates they pay.
What you describe isn't typical of my experiences at Congressional, either. I find that there are sometimes a few tanks with sick fish but the lights are turned off or their marked as such.
Again, we're talking about the only store (of a handful total remianing) in the Metro DC area that approximates cleanliness AND support for the club
Matt
What you describe isn't typical of my experiences at Congressional, either. I find that there are sometimes a few tanks with sick fish but the lights are turned off or their marked as such.
Again, we're talking about the only store (of a handful total remianing) in the Metro DC area that approximates cleanliness AND support for the club
Matt
