 fish that i have bought have been heathy, I wouldn't buy any kits or filters form there because they to charge 2x to 3x what I can find in the internet. I don't see what people are complaining about customer service. so far it has ben a good place. lincoln 21:11:25 10/16/2010 |
 I have been to this store many times and I have mixed feeling on them. Tank maintenance: The tanks are so-so. I have seen tanks that look pristine and I have seen tanks that look very murky, and stagnate. Fish stock: They carry a good variety and with a good look around you will probably find "that fish" that you were contemplating paying 40 dollars on shipping from and online store. Fish health: I'm also so-so as well. I have seen fish that look fine and healthy and I have seen fish looking none to happy. The fish that I have purchased from there came home with white spots and some other internal parasite that wiped out my the majority of my stock which didn't and still doesn't sit well with me. It has caused me to no longer buy fish from them. Supplies: They carry just about any thing and everything a fish owner would need, but for about 2x-3x the price. I have purchased quality and sometimes the same stands, tanks, and lighting units, filters etc. that the store has and have paid considerably less then what Dolphin sells them for from online as well as local stores. Some of their filter media is even around 5-7 dollars more then what they are usually sold far. Call me cheap, but this hobby is expensive. Customer services: This is my biggest gripe about the store. In my experience I have never been greeted kindly nor with a smile. I am ignored continuously. I don't even get the run of the mill "Can I help you with something" when I have employees next to me or in eye sight of me when the store is basically empty. If I'm not being ignored I am being watched like a hawk, but still being offered no help. I have walked out this store and gone elsewhere for this treatment from the employees. Getting the attention of a worker on busy days is also hard as it seems employees are walking away from you or that they are always busy. Which isn't something I have a problem with. This I can understand because there when they are busy, they are really busy. But, once you get someone to talk to, they're either seem as if there not listening or that there trying to rush you off. From the times that I have been here over the years only once have I actually had a small conversation with a worker. Other wise it's little to no service. Checkout: Not to happy with their check out personal either. Every time I have been here its the same two women and they are never to kind. So for my checkout I will say that they will most likely have what you are looking for and their stock has the variety and rarities that some other locals don't carry. For me personally I go to the other 3-4 stores in this area or travel a little for something better...there are some great stores on the outer bay area. As a whole this store receives a 3 because there is a good and a bad. The have everything one needs as a fish hobbyist, but there prices and customer service and what I hope was an unfortunate bad stock of fish neutral it out. |
 I'm giving 4.5 fish only because perfection is impossible to achieve. I've been shopping at this store for decades in three locations. They've gone through a few rough patches but the fish department has always remained one of my favorites. This is what a Local Fish Store is all about. Family owned and run with friendly staff willing to talk to you even when things are busy. Good selection of fresh and marine animals. I've had freshwater tanks all my life. I recently started up a marine tank and I have been hitting these guys up with questions every visit and they always have the time for me. The previous reviewer talking about animals not being available puzzles me. Does it make sense that a store would have stock and not want to sell it? They'd go out of business quickly if that were the case. |
We had exactly the same experience as Pinkkissing in the past. We were unable to find anybody to help us every time we visit there. The hobby shop next door was the reason we visited this fish store. We don't visit this store anymore. fish2 19:20:06 12/01/2007 |
I just wanted to re-but what Matt wrote. The grow out and recovery tank is there for aquaculture purposes, corals DO move out of that tank and go into the forsale tank. Just because you saw a coral that you wanted and it was not sold to you does not mean that that coral is never going to be available. We are trying to make more available when they grow out. Somethings take longer to grow than others. You might also want to see if there is a wait list for some items, the Zoa's that you mentioned currently have a 12 person waitlist. So please dont think that we are hoarding items or certain selections, our goal is to make the more desireable items available to everyone! I also wanted to mention the idea of a Display Tank. Its just that .... a display showing what is possible to create. If people are pulling items out of the tank to sell them, they are never going to look "established" or to the level of what a display should look like. OK sorry for the rant, I just wanted to let you know the reasons why things are done. Thank You Tyler |
Great selection of freshwater fish. Prices are good, some high and some low, some odd ball fish that you don't see in other stores. Friendly clerks, some very ssmart when it comes to answering your question and some that don't know the answer but will find the person who does. The owner is fantastic as she has been in the business for a very long time and knows what fish people want. They have alot of equipment that you will not see at any other LFS. The fish are always heathly and the plants look great too. Oscar 17:15:09 3/07/2006 |
Walked in and was greeted with smiles. Time of visit was midweek after lunch, so the rush wasn't on like during the weekend. I was greeted right away as I approached the largest selection of freshwater tanks I've seen in a while. Tanks were clean, no dead fish found in any tank, and tank displays were very unique. I started asking general questions and when I moved to more complexed questions that could not be answered, the gentleman seek another salesperson's advise. Plants had just arrived from weekly shipment, so not many on display. The plants that had been unpacked were very heathy and well displayed in a labeled, clean tank. The most impressive part of my visit was the prices. From dry goods to fish, prices are moderatly lower than anywhere I've been in all the bay area. I will be back! |
Walked in and was greeted with smiles. Time of visit was midweek after lunch, so the rush wasn't on like during the weekend. I was greeted right away as I approached the largest selection of freshwater tanks I've seen in a while. Tanks were clean, no dead fish found in any tank, and tank displays were very unique. I started asking general questions and when I moved to more complexed questions that could not be answered, the gentleman seek another salesperson's advise. Plants had just arrived from weekly shipment, so not many on display. The plants that had been unpacked were very heathy and well displayed in a labeled, clean tank. The most impressive part of my visit was the prices. From dry goods to fish, prices are moderatly lower than anywhere I've been in all the bay area. I will be back! |
This store is somethin else...I get mixed results evrytime I go....I have had the smae experience that "Pinkkissing" had, where you can walk around literally for hours and never see anyone with a blue apron... then I have had very good service from one of the females there..."I think she likes me" LOL But over-all I have found some rare pieces there priced well below what they were worth...hence the food service comment that "Bay" made...Another thing i despise is the nicest tank they have, they dont sell anything from it... Same goes for the "Recovery Tank" I have seen pieces "recovering" from god knows wut for more than three months! Seriously, go there and I bet you on the first side of the recovery tank near the left corner there will be a tri-color Zoo rock ive wanted for months!...A store should not have a "display only tank" Aqautic Gallery has one too...but you can work Dr. Lee into seeling some of his rareties... I recomend this store for gazzing only and the ocassional diamond in the ruff... Matt (125 Reef W/ some pimp ass fish) 12:55:23 12/22/2005 |
For a store that doesn't just specialize in fish, this place is great. Very large selection of freshwater, with lots of loaches and cichlids. Good selection of plants too, though the ones not on sale skew to the pricey side. Staff is knowledgeable, helpful, and plentiful. All in all, a very pleasant experience. Dann 22:34:24 12/21/2005 |
 This store is the place to go for livestock. They always carry rare and interesting livestock, and take good care of them. They do have a QT room, and will not sell sick fish, even if a customer wants it!! One of the largest african cichlid selections that I know of, and great saltwater coral selection - SPS, LPS, softies, etc. Only 2 gripes are that some employees may not be very helpful or know anything, and that prices are only good during sales - otherwise you might lose an arm or a leg! |
Great selection. Most of the staff are knowledgeable, but some should stick to the food service industry. Prices are high for fish, but if you're looking for a healthy fish or something rare this is the place to go. African cichlid selection and coral frags are the highlight of the store. Bay 10:54:16 3/08/2005 |
This is a great store with quality fish. The help there ranges. I have had a man help me that was wise beyond his years then I have had people help me, that seemed to hate their jobs They have a huge selection of fish. Salt water and Fresh. They also carry live and frozen fish food. In this area Dolphin Pet Village is my LFS of choice! If you are in a hurry don't expect to find help. If you can't seem to get anyones attention walk right up to the fish counter. 9 times out of 10 I have recieved help right away. Nicole 14:01:03 1/17/2005 |
 I went there on a recommendation from a good friend. But when I got there, somewhat early in the morning when there were only 4 other customers in the aquatics department, I had major trouble finding ANYONE to answer my questions. The 6 employees I tried to chase down all seemed to be avoiding me. When I started to ask technical questions, they treated me like an idiot. Customer Service: I usually like to browse, but I had some serious questions and didn't appreciate the long wait, and being rushed by a staff member that wasn't really listening.
|
Overview: This is a very large fish department--you’ll spend some time browsing here. They have a huge selection of freshwater fish, and seem to get in rare fish as well. It’s about 1/3 marine and 2/3 freshwater, with a pond section that sells koi and pond equipment as well. They have TONS of equipment--this is the place to come to buy filters, lighting, and accessories. On the down side, they seem to be very, very busy, even on weekdays, so bring your patience. Customer Service: Decent in the fish department, considering how busy it is. Their staff seems very knowledgable and into educating beginners. Customer service at the one checkout counter that serves the entire store is pretty bad. Selection: They have a nice selection of freshwater fish, including some very rare and hard to find species (they had Botia sidthimunki!) They have many different species of cichlids, and I’ve seen some of the more unusual cats here as well. Plants: They have a nice selection of live plants that are very nice, and have sales on them that make them very reasonable (e.g., a recent sale price for java fern was two plants--nice, healthy plants--for $5. I’ve been seeing java fern for $7 a plant, so this is a good deal.) Price: Reasonable on the fish, some good deals on equipment. Equipment: They have a huge selection of equipment, and it’s very nice high quality equipment as well. They have the widest variety of Eheim filters that I have ever seen. Humane treatment of fish / ethics: The fish all seem to be in very good health. The tanks are clean and well-furnished. I didn’t see any dead or sick fish, bettas in bowls, or dyed fish. Parking: Located in a mini mall, this store has plenty of parking. Rating: 4 fish. A huge store with a large selection, but it can be somewhat of a hassle, especially on weekends. Not the place to go if you want a leisurely chat with the owner. |