[Nite Vizhun]

I live in Beverly. Aside from Petco and the dump in the local Mall, the only pet store with a viable aquarium department (that I'm aware of) is PJ's Pet Center.

I actually worked at PJ's back in the early 90's and loved it there. I always had first bids on new shipments, and managed to find some real gems while I was there. However, it seems to have gone downhill a bit, and I'd really like to find something else on the North Shore worth visiting.

We used to have a store here in Beverly called Curious Creatures. It was in an old Fire House, and it was tiny but excellent. Nice selection of interesting fish in an excellent layout. They then moved to another location in Beverly, and finally they moved on to Salem.

I never found out their Salem location (this was a few years ago, now), and now I can't find any listing for them in Salem. The only listing for Curious Creatures is in Groveland, and I believe that is just a place that does reptile shows at kids' parties.



So, to get back on point - where do you suggest to buy fish on the North Shore of Boston?

 

[Nite Vizhun]

Now that PJ's is closed, the only place worth visiting is Uncle Ned's in Millis.

How's Tropic Isle in Framingham compared to Ned's? Is it better/as good/worse? Worth a 45 minute drive?

Pickin's are getting slim around here.

 

[Drewsplantednutz]

Bump

 

[bags]

I'm not sure, but thinking about it reminded me about two places that used to be in Marblehead.

#1. There was a pretty advanced shop there in the 80's, and they used to pay me well for my bred black lace angels. I looked around the local listings and they must be long gone....

#2. (pardon the off topic muse) The other place was the basement of a house right on the water that they nuked in old town after the 80-something year old owner died. This guy had about 30 tanks, and bred all his own stuff. He was a wizard - Discus, neons, swordtails, angels, loaches... I must have been in there 80 times from '65-'69. You don't see anybody doing that anymore, in particular with the near useless supplies they had back then. Pardon me for the off topic post. I had forgotten the whole thing for years. It was like a cathedral for me, and I got bit pretty hard.

 

[SBPyro]

I work in Beverly, I usually stop by Boston Pets in Peabody for stuff.
And if they don't have it I'll go to Unique Aquaria (formerly known as Skiptons).
And when I'm getting an oil change I'll swing by Lovely Pets in Quincy.

 

[rednerite]

I may be late to the party on this one, but I am also in Beverly! Trying to find a new fish shop myself.

Boston Pets on Rte 114 closed (they had an offer to rent their space they couldn't refuse) and Curious Creatures is in Groveland and only does the reptile shows/parties. I think Dean (the owner/founder) got out of the pet shop business many years ago to pursue exotic rehab work and education.

The pet shop in Framingham near the Dedham Mall is pretty good, but it is quite a drive from Beverly.

Do share if you find a place that's closer and you like it!

 

[Adrand]

Still a bit of a drive but Jays in salem NH has a decent freshwater section. They were even trying to get in a better selection of plants. Although what they got in seemed to go down hill quickly. Unfortunately, unique aquaria closed their freshwater section. I always enjoyed going there. I work in Salem MA close to Beverly but cant think of anything closer. The Petco in woburn is one of the better Petcos around if you want to go corporate. Traveling farther out there is also tropical isle and uncle neds. If you are looking for plants dont forget about native species. Ive been finding some decent plants lately.