How to pick a Fish Pet Store

Six foot marine tank owner? Or simply a smallerBiorb fish tank keeper? All tank owners are faced with the question of where to purchase pet fish from.

All UK pet traders are meant to have a Pet Shop License by law.

To put it succinctly, simply because a retailer has a pet shop license, this really is absolutely no assurance to the quality of their fish and other livestock.

As you can imagine, suggestions coming from friends and colleagues is an effective starting point. Irrespective of word of mouth information, we would always suggest the following points are contemplated:-

Ask the store from where the fish has originated.

You shouldn't be uncomfortable with this, you would really be taken aback how agreeable a retailer will be to inform you.

The majority of shops in great britan obtain marine fish from TMC. As fees have risen, a great deal more retailers are usually tending to buy products by means of consolidator's or simply choosing direct imports themselves.

For the credit of TMC, these people boast very impressive holding systems at their particular depots as well as take great pride in themselves on their own filtration plant. Aside from that, we understand TMC employ personnel to ensure that the fish collectors elsewhere are dealt with realistically, and that fish are gathered cleanly and without harm to the surrounding reefs.

Of course, prices will always be cheaper where a shop imports their own fish. The flip side to this is that the quality checks may not be in place regarding how the fish are collected.

You needn't be scared to request information on compatibility of your prospective fish with yourexisting fishy inhabitants. Inquire about the particular quarantine procedures the retailer adopts . Are any new fish kept seperate for a timeframe, or alternatively are they put straight on sale?


Always enquire if the shop operates trace copper inside of their aquariums . Copper is usually used when it comes to treating a range of parasites on fish. It is also used by some stores to help minimize parasite breakouts. Should you own a aquarium with corals or any sort of other invertebrates, you should be mindful that copper is toxic to these types of inhabitants. Make sure none of the store's fish tank water from the fish bag , leaks into your own aquarium .

Don't ever be afraid to ask a store advice on any given fish.
Should the member of staff is not inclined to answer your own questions , just walk away.