Fish Collecting Expedition

Not quite trekking through the rainforest, but a bit of an expedition all the same. Myself, Palty252 and Acara went to the UK this weekend as members of the Catfish Study Group to attend their auction in Darwen, near Blackburn. I was driving and tied the trip into collecting a few fish from different breeders in the UK and of course we visited a couple of shops, Pier Aquatics and BAS (Britians Aquatic Superstore)

My haul:

L006
L066
L124
L174
L333
Livebearers: Endlers, wild guppies, green swordtails, Goodeid Mayarito
Scleromytax: barbatus, prionotus and C113
Aspidoras: C119
And of course Corys: axelrodi, condiscipulas, panda, habrosus, pygmaeus, duplicareus, radauti, zygatus and one unknown type.

I had heard great things about Pier and was really looking forward to the visit, it is famous for it’s catfish. I was initially impressed by the selection of cats and the layout, but was disappointed with their dry goods – there were very few and their staffs knowledge was very poor. They probably had more L numbers than I ever saw in one place before, but they had no Apistogrammas and no Bettas, other than splendens. OK so they are a catfish specialist, but they only had about 5 species of cory and we had to wait an hour for the manager to arrive to try and ID and price two of those!

BAS is like an aircraft hanger, cold, draughty and dusty. It is huge, I think you could fit all the fish shops in Dublin into it. Their dry goods were disappointing too. They made up for it in the fish section to some extent with a very large selection of fish, at least a couple of dozen species I had never seen and at least a dozen I never knew existed. The quality of stock overall was good, there was the odd questionable looking tank, but generally I would say they were good and I think I only saw one dead fish. Strangely no apistos here either except a lone female macmasteri.

Comparing the shops to what we have here, I think we are quite lucky, considering the smaller population and market size, we have at least a couple of excellent shops that get in a fair variety or rare and oddball fish and carry a better selection of dry goods. The staff knowledge here is better by far too. So while you might get a better variety of fish and prices are a bit less, I think we are fairly well looked after here.

The auction was pretty good, unfortunately we missed the first hour, but still got some bargains and there was a surprising amount of filters, heaters, food etc for auction. We had very little space left so our bidding on dry goods was strictly limited to what we had room for, which at that stage was not very much.

We got the 02:40 ferry back this morning and Darren headed straight to work! Now that’s dedication to fishkeeping.

Overall a hectic weekend with some interesting fish to show for it, but the grass is not that much greener on the other side of the fence afterall.

I cant really add much to that,but can back up all Daragh said.
I was looking forward to visiting Pier ever since getting back into fishkeeping on this side of world.I felt a bit dissapointed to be honest,a lot of L-numbers,and a few interesting cats.Darren fell in love with the 'sewer cats',but wouldnt part with 275 sterling for 1!African keepers can forget the place,I named every african there(and I DONT know Africans),6 yellow labs,and 2 red peacocks!The staff were obviously just young school kids earning a bit of booze money.I saw 1 young lad pick up a net with a very dried fish in it and proceed to bag fish for a customer,I last saw the dried fish rehydrating in the tank.The kid never saw it.A few other dead ones lying on top of tanks and in tanks.
Drystock was very poor,lots of ghastly 'tank decorations'if thats your thing.
I would,however,recomend a visit,and would happily go back.Oh,yeah,a good marine section too,I took to the black neon gobies.
BAS was HUGE,but mostly tanks and cabinets,etc,a large fishing area,with some very long rods.At first glance the sales tanks looked very unkept and neglected,but the stock seemed healthy,and no dead uns.A lot of fish I hadn't seen,and never realised there were so many danios and rasboras.
The vending machine was a welcome addition in the cold,and I got through several coffees and soups.
Again the dry goods was rather lousy.Only electrical stuff was the resun brand.
The Catfish Study Group auction was great fun,and nice to meet a few from the forum on Corydoras World.The bar was open too!!I got a very nice pair of corydoras oiapoquensis.
And of course,I won the raffle 5 times.
Well,I better stop there,a very worthwile trip,although a long weekend,up at 0800 sunday,and back to bed at 0920 monday.Saturday was a long day too.
Finally(if anybodys got this far)I'd like to sincerely thank Iffymike for his hospitality at 11pm sunday night,the tea and welcome was very happily received by 3 very tired travellers.Thanks again mate.

Dave

But wait,theres more!!
I have posted before after trips to LFS in the UK,and would like to say it again.The shops we have here are still the best I have seen.We are seeing more and varied species here all the time,and of course,the lads are willing to order what we want.I also find the staff here are far more knowledgeable,friendly and willing to help.
And its getting better all the time.

Hi

I have not been to BAS lately. The last time I went the place was in a terrible state. Dirty empty tanks, hardly any fish, and generally looking like it would shut down. Very disapointing really. In the past I have picked up some very nice, unusual and rare fish from there. Other friends of mine have had similar experiences with the disapointment of travelling there and finding it in a state. It is also a good idea if you are making a few purchases to keep tabs on exactly how much you have spent as the reciept you get doesnt seem to tally always. I am not saying you are being deliberately overcharged but it is advisable to check.
As for Pier Aquatics, it is worth a look if you like plecs etc. I class it as a drop in if your passing kind of shop to maybe pick something up. Since my last experience at BAS i havent been back that way. My mate \"the fish collector\" has been in a couple of months ago but reported to me \"nothing of interest\"in either shop.
There are some good shops over here as well as bad ones. Then you have the shops that have \"a name\" for rareties/oddballs etc, which often are nothing but a disapointment when you get there, either for stock or for a rediculous price (or both together!).
I hear through the grapevine that \"Wildwoods\" (a \"named\" shop in London area) has gone into receivership. Shame really.

Any shops you would recommend between and fairly close to the route from Hlyhead to Swaffham in Norfolk, I am driving that way in the New Year and could divert if it did not make the drive toooo much longer. I have planned to visit Maidenhead Aquatics in Peterborough, anywhere else you would recommend?

Surprised to here that about Wildwoods. I have not been there for about 15 years, but it has (had) a great name.

Daragh

Best to speak to Tim....

He's the one with the built in sat nav...

I am just the driver!

I have a job half the time with North and South, East and West!! You ask him and he will confirm this to be true!

You sound like me so, I had to buy a Sat Nav before even attempting the drive from Holyhead to Hayling, best thing I ever bought, apart from my first fishtank

I saw the other day that Wildwoods were in receivership,but they are still trading. Aquarium and pond stuff is 30% off,in-store.

Daragh ...you and any other fanatics are very welcome to stop over at us for a cup of tea and a natter and of course a look at the fish if you fancy it...

our postcode is le19 (first part) and we are only 5 minutes from junction 21 of m1 motorway....and we are 55 minutes from Peterborough if you go down the A47...