St. Louis Area

[AMcCaleb]

So, I was in the St. Louis area visiting my wife's family and I was in Lake St. Louis at a pet store there called PetLand. I think it's a chain store but I've never seen one anywhere else. Anyways, this was hands down the nicest pet store I've been to for fish. Especially if you're into the planted tanks. Every tank had awesome plants and healthy fish in it. All the tanks were in pristine condition. The guy that was working there was actually the one that grows all of the plants for that store. I got hooked up with some awesome plants for my tank.
They have a saltwater section as well. In fact, when you walk back to the fish section there is a 3 foot shark in a tank in the middle of the aisle.

As far as fish selection goes, they had a lot of smaller schooling fish like tetras and barbs and danios and such and some of your other more ordinary fish. They also had a large selection of cichlids. Don't know much about their saltwater selection as I'm a freshwater person.

I was just really excited about this store when I found it. I'm definitely going back there anytime I'm in the area.

If you're looking for the more exotic fish and larger stuff then I would recommend Malawi aquatics in North County just off 270 on W Florissant but if you're into planted tanks and tetras I would recommend Petland in Lake St. Louis just off of I-64/40 near I-70.

[Greenmagick]

Unforunately that is one that is usually being picketed because they sell puppy mill dogs Regardless of how well they keep their fish, I can't support a store that supports puppy mills in any way, shape, or form. I did hear somewhere that Petland had stopped selling puppies and kittens...so maybe there is hope? Their website is still showing them as being sold, did they have them when you were there?

I have yet to hit Malawi Aquatics but I really do like Aqua World and Tropical World Pets

[AMcCaleb]

They did have puppies for sale there but I don't know anything about the whole puppy mill thing. I don't follow that stuff too closely. Where are those other two places that you mentioned located?

[Freeasabird]

I (unknowingly before now) drive by this place all the time to get to the best mom and pop LFS around. I may have to give it a try.

[Greenmagick]

AquaWorld has two locations - one in the city on Gravois (before you hit Grand coming from the county) and one out in west county on Manchester by Old State.


3910 Gravois Avenue

16063 Manchester Road


Tropical World pets is Sappington/Webster area on Watson.

8444 Watson Road

Darn, I wish they had stopped supporting puppy mills Basically ANY pet store that is selling kittens and puppies is getting them from mills, horrible places that keep them in cages and basically breed them til they die The animals coming from those places often have many physical and temperament issues as well.

[Freeasabird]

I checked the place out yesterday. They had a very impressive selection of everything fish. For example, they didn't just have Prime, they had it in three sizes. Lots of lights, food, you name it. The only thing I could have asked more of would have been the driftwood selection.

As far as fish and plants, just as mentioned earlier - diverse and plentiful. More selection than I've seen in a store ever before, especially so for the live plants. I was really tempted to get some fish but for now I have no room for any more without overstocking.

Regarding the puppy mill issue, here are my personal opinions on the matter. I am very sympathetic to following your own personal convictions regarding these things. I would not disparage someone for choosing not to patronize a business to which they didn't agree with some fundamental aspect of their business model. As to my opinions, I think you really have to look at the culture in Missouri. The puppy mills simply fulfill the public's demand. It is exceptionally rare to find a house that doesn't have multiple cats and dogs. The culture here is quite saturated with dogs and cats and these puppy mills, which happen to be completely legal, fulfill that demand. I've seen dogs sold off the back of pickup trucks in parking lots. So my personal opinion in the matter is that the best thing I or anyone else can do to stop the puppy mill culture is to stop buying puppies. Myself I am not even a dog or cat guy. I had a dog as a boy but am no longer interested in keeping them as pets for a large number of reasons.

[Aquasapien69]

Originally Posted by Freeasabird

I (unknowingly before now) drive by this place all the time to get to the best mom and pop LFS around. I may have to give it a try.

What's the "best mom and pop lfs around"? I'd be very interested in which site you are referring to. Thanks, Brent

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Freeasabird]

Originally Posted by Aquasapien69

What's the "best mom and pop lfs around"? I'd be very interested in which site you are referring to. Thanks, Brent

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

I was referring to Lynn's in Wentzville.

[Aquasapien69]

Originally Posted by Freeasabird

I was referring to Lynn's in Wentzville.

Ahhh, OK. I happen to go there for the very first time a few weeks ago. Liked it a lot actually. Glad to hear someone else gives it kudos. Thanks for letting me know.

[tomfromstlouis]

Originally Posted by Freeasabird

...these puppy mills, which happen to be completely legal, fulfill that demand...

What you say is true. Until recently though, what was legal was the kind of factory methods that when used used to raise companions yielded serious health and behavior issues, so many simply boycotted the part of the system they could. Missouri was a notoriously popular place in the country for this kind of farm because the laws were so lax.

Laws were recently changed and many puppy mills closed down, but there will still be some who do not care for factory methods producing animals.