Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 20:44 #1 by stretnik (stretnik)

Why can't we see these in our lfs more often? was created by stretnik (stretnik)

I know we see some of these Fish in our lfs but some of these are stunning and some I've never seen before.

www.vitoriareef.com.br/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6119

Kev.

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25 Jul 2010 20:48 - 25 Jul 2010 20:49 #2 by Puddlefish (Colin McCourt)

Replied by Puddlefish (Colin McCourt) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

With a litle bit of probing and prodding you would be able to attain most of those species but you wouldn't be looking at the LFS.
Its a case of knowing where to look
ATB
C

Last edit: 25 Jul 2010 20:49 by Puddlefish (Colin McCourt).

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 20:58 #3 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Please don't call me lazy but please indulge me, I know they can be sourced via the Internet but a lot of People have been stung this way, either sub-standard fish, sick Fish or no Fish arrive, at least with lfs you have a Face to Face interface and at least some form of redress and there is the possibility of, as with Seahorse and Fins Fur and Feathers soon I believe, a period of quarantine would be involved.

I am reluctant to buy this way because I have no way of knowing what I am buying as I can't see what I'm buying.

I say all of this because a number of Folk on this Site have experienced just that

Kev.

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Pat (Pat Coogan)
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25 Jul 2010 21:01 #4 by Pat (Pat Coogan)

Replied by Pat (Pat Coogan) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

I only got back into fishkeeping 2 years ago but seriously in the eighties and early nineties the variety and selection of fish in places like the tropshop and joes in clonliffe and in Dunlaoighre were far better than anywhere today. Thats no disrespect to the shops as their fish are in excellent condition but the range of chiclids and catfish aint what it used to be. I kept jaguar cats, hoplo's, gibbiceps, bristlenoses and several others that you dont see anymore. Central American chiclids are not as well stocked as the Africans and even simple things like danios and corydoras. Am I just looking back with rose coloured glasses?

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Ma (mm mm)
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25 Jul 2010 21:03 #5 by Ma (mm mm)

Replied by Ma (mm mm) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Cheers Kev, some beauties on there, I see my Botia Dario on there. I would love some Botia kubotai and Botia lohachata, but where:(

Callochromis melanostigma is the sadest looing fish I have ever seen, as in it is sad, not a sad state.
Carassius auratus looks like a rooster fish hybrid:)

Chilata, both of em, just awesome looking

Mark

Location D.11

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Ma (mm mm)
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25 Jul 2010 21:05 - 25 Jul 2010 21:05 #6 by Ma (mm mm)

Replied by Ma (mm mm) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

stretnik wrote:

Please don't call me lazy but please indulge me, I know they can be sourced via the Internet but a lot of People have been stung this way, either sub-standard fish, sick Fish or no Fish arrive, at least with lfs you have a Face to Face interface and at least some form of redress and there is the possibility of, as with Seahorse and Fins Fur and Feathers soon I believe, a period of quarantine would be involved.

I am reluctant to buy this way because I have no way of knowing what I am buying as I can't see what I'm buying.

I say all of this because a number of Folk on this Site have experienced just that

Kev.

True, too many rip merchants

Get yer travelling boots on kev

Mark

Location D.11

Last edit: 25 Jul 2010 21:05 by Ma (mm mm).

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wolfsburg (wolfsburg)
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25 Jul 2010 21:06 #7 by wolfsburg (wolfsburg)

Replied by wolfsburg (wolfsburg) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

My understanding of the pickle is that a lot of the rarer species are available from time to time on lists but they are a little bit risky as they can be hard to shift. For argument's sake, a shop that could sell 10 guppies at €3 in a day might be left for weeks with a cichlid or plec at €30... tough but true, and I find this reluctance to stock "slow-sellers" very understandable.

Of course there are exceptions to this and there are other contributing factors!

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 21:17 #8 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Point taken Rory but for instance I have regularly asked lfs to order something rare or unusual for me and only once was I called to say they had arrived, surly this isn't much to ask I am willing to leave a deposit, of, say, the full amount of the cost of the fish and shipping to the Store and should they die or be ill beyond doubt wouldn't they be covered by the supplier?

If I decide I don't want them the lfs keeps the Deposit covering everything.

Kev.

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Ma (mm mm)
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25 Jul 2010 21:22 - 25 Jul 2010 21:23 #9 by Ma (mm mm)

Replied by Ma (mm mm) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

I had similar issues ordering certain species, they have a supplier, if the supplier has it well and good, if not then no, I doubt lfs go hunting for it for you in most cases.

Might be more accomodating if you ordered bulk I'd say

Mark

Location D.11

Last edit: 25 Jul 2010 21:23 by Ma (mm mm).

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 21:28 #10 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

And that begs the question, would a Wholesaler sell to an individual without ties to the Fish industry, without alienating his regular Customers?

Kev.

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 21:51 #11 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

No Pat,

I agree, no Rose coloured Glasses, I remember buying Fish in the small lfs in dun laoghaire and it was a real treat, a mornings Fishing on the Shelf, Chips and a trip to the tiniest shop, run by a school Teacher, I can't remember his nor the Shop's name. His Tanks were tiny but as glorious as a Jewellery stand in down town Baghdad . He always had myriad Pencils, Tetras,Rasboras ad infinitum.

Kev.

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CJackson (Frank Farrell)
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25 Jul 2010 22:33 #12 by CJackson (Frank Farrell)

Replied by CJackson (Frank Farrell) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Was it called "aquaria", can't remember the name. Ian Morris was the owner, I've been told, and the display tank in the front window was awesome. I spent weeks in that shop in an afternoon.

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stretnik (stretnik)
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25 Jul 2010 22:56 #13 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Thanks CJ,

Yes! Ian.

Phew, thought I'd just dreamt it, now, there was a real lfs.

Kev.

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26 Jul 2010 00:39 #14 by platty252 (Darren Dalton)

Replied by platty252 (Darren Dalton) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

I only looked at the first 100 or so photos and most of these i have seen in LFS or know they are available from time to time on the lists.
Some are expensive to get in and may have a minimum order of 10/50/100 depending on species. How long will the shop have to hold the rest of the fish before they are sold?

Like yourself Kev i have tried to order fish that i know are available but the shops dont get them in either because they might be stuck with the rest or they my not be able to mix them with other fish which leads to a tank been taken up for what ever amount of time. Time and tank space is money.

There are also some fish like some livebearers, Killies, Bettas.... that i would call hobbyist fish and that is the best (or only) place to get them.
If there is something you really want just ask as many people as possible about them. Someone somewhere is probably keeping/breeding them.

Hopefully someone working in a LFS will be able to comment.

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r2potat2 (Derek Martin)
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26 Jul 2010 02:45 #15 by r2potat2 (Derek Martin)

Replied by r2potat2 (Derek Martin) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Got to hand it to you stretnik
Great post, I really enjoyed looking through the pictures and been new to fish keeping (since march not counting the bowls) this post has been a real eye opener. Although I have seen at least 75% of these fish in shops, some have just amazed me. And I seen the post heading when it went up but I didnt think it would intrest me so I didnt bother reading it till tonight.

I also would like to point out my respect for you as you answer nearly every question of mine and others and are a great influence to begginers and long time fish keepers. I doubt anyone who regulary uses this forum would disagree that you are a valuable member to this froum and its comforting to know "us begginers" have yourself JohnH and Darra Owens to help us in our hobby. Along with others who have the time to lend advice.

I really appreciate the time you guys have!!!!

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stretnik (stretnik)
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26 Jul 2010 07:33 #16 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Thank you very much for the kind reply.

I think, what most of us do is share knowledge gained through years of our own mistakes and problems you can put down to lack of patience.

None of us will ever know everything because change is the only constant.

Cheers.

Kev.

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26 Jul 2010 08:48 #17 by Acara (Dave Walters)

Replied by Acara (Dave Walters) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

I think platty252 hit the nail on the head.I have seen a fair few of these in our shops,although not always when one has the space available to take them.I have 1 or 2 of th species there,and I'm sure a few others will have even more,so as suggested,post up here when you want something.Have a look at number 13,you saw these yourself recently,they were 'contaminants' in a shipment of Corydoras hastatus lately,they shoal with them naturally in the wild,and are often caught together.
Some very nice fish in there,enjoyed the browse.theres a good few that aren't attractive,but are sought for their character,breeding methods,and other traits which make them very interesting.

always on the lookout for interesting corys.pm me if you know off any!

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JohnH (John)
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26 Jul 2010 10:39 #18 by JohnH (John)

Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

I have to agree with the previous two comments - it's a sad fact of life that in these 'economic' times the import of many 'slow-selling' Fish has had to be drastically curtailed.
In some ways I think we should be lucky that many Shops are still surviving at all.
Three or four years ago it was commonplace to find for sale Fish only previously seen in magazines, books and online - and, fingers crossed, this scenario will return. But for now we should put our hands together and give thanks to our Sponsors for keeping going (and spend a few bob with them to help them keep going).
John
ps - Some lovely (and not-so-lovely) Fish there Kev - a lot I would dearly love to own!

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.

ITFS member.

It's a long way to Tipperary.

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26 Jul 2010 11:07 #19 by Acara (Dave Walters)

Replied by Acara (Dave Walters) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Agreed,but what I have noticed over the last year,during this recession,is the variety of fish available has actually increased somewhat.I have seen,for example,a whole host of corys not seen before the recession(well not by me anyway)and at prices much more favourable than what we were paying for some of the 'common' corys whilst the times were good.For example,in 2007 I was trying to get C.oaipoquensis,it was not easy and I was told a sponsor might be able to get them in,at a guess of about 40e each.I did manage to get a pair at an auction in the UK(11.50pnd the pr).About 6 or 8 months ago,I got a group of 10,for a hell of a lot less than 100e,here in a local shop(and surprisingly for fish from that shop,ime,8 are still alive).
Theres been a real increase in species,I have noticed,corys,gobies,barbs,betta,danios,rasboras,tetras,etc,etc we didnt get before.This is maybe due to the prolification of new shops(1 in particular,about an hour from Dublin),and also of course to new species being discovered.
And as I've mentioned,a lot cheaper than what the couple of shops of 3 or 4 years ago were charging.

always on the lookout for interesting corys.pm me if you know off any!

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serratus (Drew Latimer)
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26 Jul 2010 16:16 #20 by serratus (Drew Latimer)

Replied by serratus (Drew Latimer) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Hi guys, sadly due to the "current climate" it is no longer fesable for us n id say a few other stores to hold the vast array of fish instock.. we used to have countless oddballs, many we had on the 1st euopean imports as many of you know :0 30+ diff. Lnos and same for corys however SA shipments are getting harder to mport over the last few yrs due to their gov. we used to have 300 odd species in stock... 16" pellegrini plecs at €300- etc... but its a brave store that stocks the "it might sell" fish anymore... hope things will change soon....

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stretnik (stretnik)
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26 Jul 2010 16:31 #21 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

All of the above make sense but what about Fish that aren't as rare as Hen's Teeth that don't need a Mortgage to buy them, surely members of the Labyrinth family and other easily reared but rarely seen species shouldn't be so difficult.

Recent efforts by Des and of Dayo at Petstop and some of the other Guys to bring in the less usual Fish have been rewarded by a steady flow of customers, an example was recently at Petstop in Blanch, Dayo got out of the Rut and ordered some less seen, not rare I grant you, Fish like Corydoras hastatus and Nothobranchius guentheri. I witnessed the whole shoal of about 50 hastatus go into Bags within 15 minutes, they had arrived no more than a few hours earlier and the customers, I was one, was willing to forgo the settling down period in case they sold. The same with the former, the tanks sold out in a few days.

I appreciate the difficulties experienced by lfs but if they don't keep trying to change the public's view of Aquatic Shops as Guppies and Platys nothing will happen. ( Ehm, nothing wrong with either :blush:

)

When you think of the expensive Tanks sitting on the display area of Petstop, all of the Cash tied up in Glass and the rental cost of the sq footage, I'd rather try something new to generate more interest in the Hobby, Des and Dayo proved in a small way that new stuff will sell.

Kev.

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26 Jul 2010 19:36 #22 by Puddlefish (Colin McCourt)

Replied by Puddlefish (Colin McCourt) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Please don't call me lazy but please indulge me, I know they can be sourced via the Internet but a lot of People have been stung this way,

Sorry I didn't mean to patronise you whatsoever. I wasn't implying purchasing fish from doggy vendors either, what I was trying to put across was that there are specialist national and international organisations out there who have very knowledgeable breeders within their ranks who can supply folks with fish that they wouldn't otherwise see at the LFS, This was my line of reply.
Once you are in the know as it were a whole new world of fish-keeping should and will present itself.
The LFS is only the beginning of your venture, its up to you if you want to take things further.
Again sorry if I sounded patronising, I can assure you it was not intentional.
Regards
C

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stretnik (stretnik)
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26 Jul 2010 20:00 #23 by stretnik (stretnik)

Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Sorry Colin, looking back at that first line, it looks like I was referring to you directle, no, it was a generalisation, a scoop to catch all Fish so to speak,

I agree with you and have done all of the net crawling, sorry for all of the puns, but I just think the lfs would attract more lovers of all things piscine and put their toes a little in the water and come up with a few things different from time.

I am, to a degree , lazy insofar as, you don't take the same risks with lfs as they have a degree of security re guarantees etc, you order off the net and a bag of mush could arrive as som on the Forum caqn attest to, and you could be the greatest Fish expert on Earth and it would still be a bag of mush.

Many have had their prospective Tank residents via the net go awal and you have no proof they were doa or never arrived at all.

Kev.

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David (David)
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26 Jul 2010 21:48 #24 by David (David)

Replied by David (David) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Just my two cents

Where a wholesaler might not sell to an individual he might sell to a club

so it might be possible for those of you who are in club together to make a shopping list (for want of a better phrase) of the spieces you are looking for and approach that way

actually i am sure there would be a sponsor on hear who might be able to come to some sort of arrangement

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Gavin (Gavin)
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27 Jul 2010 08:07 #25 by Gavin (Gavin)

Replied by Gavin (Gavin) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Pat wrote:

I only got back into fishkeeping 2 years ago but seriously in the eighties and early nineties the variety and selection of fish in places like the tropshop and joes in clonliffe and in Dunlaoighre were far better than anywhere today. Thats no disrespect to the shops as their fish are in excellent condition but the range of chiclids and catfish aint what it used to be. I kept jaguar cats, hoplo's, gibbiceps, bristlenoses and several others that you dont see anymore. Central American chiclids are not as well stocked as the Africans and even simple things like danios and corydoras. Am I just looking back with rose coloured glasses?

sounds like you need a trip to our shop mate!

dont make me come over there.

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Pat (Pat Coogan)
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27 Jul 2010 16:39 - 27 Jul 2010 18:37 #26 by Pat (Pat Coogan)

Replied by Pat (Pat Coogan) on topic Re:Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?

Sorry Gavin but I only recently joined this forum, which shop is yours? I havent gotten to grips with who is who.
When I kept fish years ago I was totally reliant on familly for transport or protecting the fish well in a backpack on my pushbike which brings me onto another topic. The wrapping of fish in the shops or the lack of wrapping. All the LFS used to wrap them in paper to maintain temperature for the journey home. This doesnt happen anymore. Doesnt make any difference to me because I have a box in the boot but I see people walking out from the shops with the fish bag in a plastic or paperbag and standing on bus stops.
Pat

Last edit: 27 Jul 2010 18:37 by Pat (Pat Coogan).

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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Why can't we see these in our lfs more often?