Aquatic Wildlife in Manchester

Clifford Monges · 10-27-2006, 12:16 AM

I just visited this store for the first time and was very impressed with the variety of plants for sale. Virtually every tank was loaded with healthy plants.
They had some pretty cool display tanks as well. One had freshwater stingrays, and there was another with some large (and pricey) discus.
Anyway, I figure they deserve mention here.

Aquatic Wildlife
179 Deming St
Manchester CT 06040
860-648-1166

Cliff

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rollinnstyle1 · 12-18-2006, 01:43 PM

I was up in manchester shopping on Sat and stopped by the store. They had all kinds of people looking but only one person working there. I did want to buy my canister filter but after waiting 20 mins with no one around to help i left. I like the store but after i came home i looked online for same filter. They need more helpful service people than 16yr old kid and there prices were $60 over net price.

zackish · 06-18-2007, 05:00 AM

I think this is a mainly saltwater store too if I am not mistaken....?

zackish · 06-20-2007, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackish

I think this is a mainly saltwater store too if I am not mistaken....?

Never mind...the right side was saltwater and the left was all the freshwater. Supplies are a bit expensive there but the fish are right on price with all the other LFS's. I liked all the fish in this store and thought they were healthy except for the gouramis. I was particularly looking at the gouramis because I plan on buying one of them for my 30 gal once it's cycled. They seemed to have been just sitting on the bottom of the tank not moving much. All the other fish were moving around in the other tanks and seemed healthy like I said so IDK what the deal was.
They also really don't have much of a plant selection but the employees that work there were really knowledgable and seem nice so I may return there for my fish. I haven't stocked my tank yet but I am kind of torn between 2 LFS's right now.

zackish · 06-29-2007, 02:57 AM

Kind of a change from what I posted above but I heard some reviews on this place from some friends and people I met and they said it isn't that good. Supposedly the owner is a dick and no employee has worked there for over 6 months. They also have a main filtration system, not an individual in tank one.

Ukrainetz · 08-02-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zackish

Kind of a change from what I posted above but I heard some reviews on this place from some friends and people I met and they said it isn't that good. Supposedly the owner is a dick and no employee has worked there for over 6 months. They also have a main filtration system, not an individual in tank one.

Hey Zackish, AWC is not all that bad. I love to shop there, because they have a large variety of fish, and lots of plants. The deal is that many people shop there, so the plants go out the door quick. You have to ask the owner when the next shipment is, so that you can come early and have a lot to choose from. The fish are usually healthy. I have not had any problem with their fish so far. If you see sick fish, as usual, stay away from that tank. I've spotted a problem or two there before.
You're wrong about their employees. Some of them have been there for years. The owner is not that bad either. He knows I spend money there, so he greets me and helps me out all the time. He does pressure people to buy stuff sometimes, so compulsive shoppers beware! Give it another go Zack

pedzola · 08-09-2007, 02:13 AM

I'd like to put in my $0.02 about Aquatic Wildlife.

The owner and staff are very friendly, but "knowledgeable" depends on who you're talking to. I overheard one staff member recommending a 10 gallon tank for a STURGEON. I couldn't believe they would sell these fish AT ALL.

Secondly, there are ALWAYS dead and dying fish in the tanks. Every time I go there I am sad to see many many unhealthy fish, and from what I can tell there are no quarantine or medicated tanks in the whole place. I think they just let them die. It is always a sad sight.

Third they have an abundance of dyed fish and tankbusters that they seem to have no ethical qualms in selling.

Fourth all of their equipment is at least double the price you could get the stuff online.

The only good thing about the store is that it looks pretty and has a large variety of stuff. You can probably get just about anything there... but be prepared to pay, and be prepared to have your conscience eating you alive when you see all the sick, dying, and unnaturally altered fish in the store.

pedzola · 08-09-2007, 02:15 AM

As an alternative, try Wet Pets in vernon. All the fish are healthy. It's the only fish store I've been to that has refused to sell me a fish because they weren't completely healthy. I have always been very impressed with the knowledge of the staff at this store.

It is smaller, and admittedly they have very few plants usually, but at this point it's the only place I will buy fish.

Ukrainetz · 08-09-2007, 02:26 AM

Thanks for the tip pedzola. I kindly agree, the place could take better care of their fish. I also agree on modified fish...This week I saw bright neon green and red zebra danios

!!! I was tempted to ask what planet they were from. The other thing that I want to complain about, is overcharging. I have a feeling I've been overcharged there a few times, only because I made large purchases of course (< $150). This week I think I was charged 12.99 for an SAE! I felt something wasn't right when I went through the purchase, and narrowed it down to that. Its funny because 2 weeks ago I paid 3.99 a piece for the same fish (same size). I also bought an Albino BN pleco for 13.99...in January I paid 59 for the same one... What is all this guess work? I like the store but I agree they need to get their act together!

zackish · 08-19-2007, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedzola

As an alternative, try Wet Pets in vernon. All the fish are healthy. It's the only fish store I've been to that has refused to sell me a fish because they weren't completely healthy. I have always been very impressed with the knowledge of the staff at this store.

It is smaller, and admittedly they have very few plants usually, but at this point it's the only place I will buy fish.

Wet pets is hands down the best pet store around here. I love going to that place just to even BS with the 2 kids that work there. Their fish are amazingly healthy and they have fair prices.

AnnieB · 04-27-2008, 01:01 AM

Sounds to me there seems to be a witch hunt going on here with perhaps employees of Wet Pets in Vernon against Aquatic Wildlife. Boys lets play nice. There is enough business for everyone!
I happen to be a regular customer of AW and I've NEVER been disapointed witn any part of this shop. The owner is anything but a "dick"! If you have a chance, stop in and see for yourself!

10-27-2006, 12:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Clifford Monges Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wallingford CT Posts: 5	Aquatic Wildlife in Manchester I just visited this store for the first time and was very impressed with the variety of plants for sale. Virtually every tank was loaded with healthy plants. They had some pretty cool display tanks as well. One had freshwater stingrays, and there was another with some large (and pricey) discus. Anyway, I figure they deserve mention here. Aquatic Wildlife 179 Deming St Manchester CT 06040 860-648-1166 Cliff

12-18-2006, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
rollinnstyle1 Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Higganum,CT Posts: 3	Lack of plants I was up in manchester shopping on Sat and stopped by the store. They had all kinds of people looking but only one person working there. I did want to buy my canister filter but after waiting 20 mins with no one around to help i left. I like the store but after i came home i looked online for same filter. They need more helpful service people than 16yr old kid and there prices were $60 over net price.

08-09-2007, 02:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ukrainetz Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Milford, CT Posts: 256	Thanks for the tip pedzola. I kindly agree, the place could take better care of their fish. I also agree on modified fish...This week I saw bright neon green and red zebra danios !!! I was tempted to ask what planet they were from. The other thing that I want to complain about, is overcharging. I have a feeling I've been overcharged there a few times, only because I made large purchases of course (< $150). This week I think I was charged 12.99 for an SAE! I felt something wasn't right when I went through the purchase, and narrowed it down to that. Its funny because 2 weeks ago I paid 3.99 a piece for the same fish (same size). I also bought an Albino BN pleco for 13.99...in January I paid 59 for the same one... What is all this guess work? I like the store but I agree they need to get their act together! __________________ 29gal, fluval 204, 75W VHO, DIY co2; RTS, SAE, Ottos, Neons, Cardinals, RNT Chinese Water Dragon: Elizabeth (AKA Lizzy)

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06-18-2007, 05:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
zackish Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 190	I think this is a mainly saltwater store too if I am not mistaken....?

06-29-2007, 02:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
zackish Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 190	Kind of a change from what I posted above but I heard some reviews on this place from some friends and people I met and they said it isn't that good. Supposedly the owner is a dick and no employee has worked there for over 6 months. They also have a main filtration system, not an individual in tank one.

08-09-2007, 02:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
pedzola Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT Posts: 10	I'd like to put in my $0.02 about Aquatic Wildlife. The owner and staff are very friendly, but "knowledgeable" depends on who you're talking to. I overheard one staff member recommending a 10 gallon tank for a STURGEON. I couldn't believe they would sell these fish AT ALL. Secondly, there are ALWAYS dead and dying fish in the tanks. Every time I go there I am sad to see many many unhealthy fish, and from what I can tell there are no quarantine or medicated tanks in the whole place. I think they just let them die. It is always a sad sight. Third they have an abundance of dyed fish and tankbusters that they seem to have no ethical qualms in selling. Fourth all of their equipment is at least double the price you could get the stuff online. The only good thing about the store is that it looks pretty and has a large variety of stuff. You can probably get just about anything there... but be prepared to pay, and be prepared to have your conscience eating you alive when you see all the sick, dying, and unnaturally altered fish in the store.

08-09-2007, 02:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
pedzola Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT Posts: 10	As an alternative, try Wet Pets in vernon. All the fish are healthy. It's the only fish store I've been to that has refused to sell me a fish because they weren't completely healthy. I have always been very impressed with the knowledge of the staff at this store. It is smaller, and admittedly they have very few plants usually, but at this point it's the only place I will buy fish.

04-27-2008, 01:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
AnnieB Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southington, CT Posts: 1	Sounds to me there seems to be a witch hunt going on here with perhaps employees of Wet Pets in Vernon against Aquatic Wildlife. Boys lets play nice. There is enough business for everyone! I happen to be a regular customer of AW and I've NEVER been disapointed witn any part of this shop. The owner is anything but a "dick"! If you have a chance, stop in and see for yourself!