Petco and LFS in Auburn MA

Was out in an area I don't frequent today...decided to stop at the two stores, Petco and Krystal Klear Aquatics in Auburn, MA.

Krystal Klear was awesome! Pricey but the tanks looked GREAT, wow the stock was gorgeous, they even had some larger marine stock (like 6" angels and tangs). They even had a stars and stripes puffer and an Emperor angel that were both pushing maybe 10", they were just gorgeous. The owners looked busy so I didn't speak with them, but maybe next time, as I will probably buy some live rock from them (relatively cheap at $5.65/lb) when I get the 10 gallon going. The only drawback was the limited freshwater selection, they only had some pretty common species. They did have a large open space and a lot of tank construction going on, so maybe they are expanding the FW. Here is the website:

Then I went to Petco as I needed some hay for the bunny...wow, what a difference, I was actually pretty disgusted by the fish department. I am probably less judgmental than the average fish hobbyist, as I work in a fish store, and I understand how it is...but the conditions were pretty appalling. One of their systems had a few oscars, two were dead and one had SEVERE popeye, it's eyes were totally white and swollen out of it's head. There was a tank of neons in the same system and there were probably 10 dead neons floating around. Their Saltwater stock looked pretty pitiful...lethargic, stressed looking, lacking color. There was dead fish everywhere, and the tanks were grossly overstocked, maybe 25 gouramis in a 10 gallon sized compartment..of course there is a huge filter system but that many fish in that small space just isn't right. There was red algae all on the inside of the tanks and the outside of the tanks were streaked with water. I went to the rabbit section...picked up a bag of hay...and put it down and walked out. I just couldn't bring myself to give money to this store. :-\

Edited to add...in Petco as well, the bettas were in HORRIBLE shape. There was green...mildew? algae? growing on the bottom of the cups (inside). For whatever reason they had cut larger holes on the lids for some of the bettas...and some of them had bailed, you could see dried bodies under the display. So sad!

 

Thanks for sharing this. Krystal clear aquatics sounds like something worth visiting and is sort of on my way back from Wachusett. I think the store is just a little too far for me to try and get livestock back though, unfortunately.

Maybe one day I'll stop by just to check it out though.
PS: I think their website is down?

 

Yes Krystal Clear is definitely a nice shop, worth going to and oggling their stock, haha! They had quite a bit of variety, different kinds of tangs/triggers/angels/butterflies, damsels, grammas, and the gobies/wrasses and such too. They had solid orange ocellaris, lots of coral/anemones...the list goes on. Definitely one of the more extensive saltwater shops I've been in.

I've wanted to take a trip to Uncle Ned's in Millis MA for a while now too, ever been there?

 

Nope I've never been there either. The place looks somewhat interesting since I've always wanted a seahorse tank, but I've already decided to go with a clownfish tank. Mostly, I've only been to RI LFSs. I've gone to Rumford's, Seacreatures (Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence), The Fish Bowl, and Something Fishy.

What's your favorite shop in the area? (Kind of curious).
Also, sorry for kind of threadjacking

 

It seems like the local pet store is a great store.

 

Forgive me, but what / where is Klem's? Is it like a pet store or like a walmart?

As for all these stores, it's funn yhow we're not too far apart yet I've never heard of any of these stores. Any of these stores have cheap / healthy marine livestock? And by any chance, would you remember the prices of their LR

 

Wow that is horible. I have noticed how all the mom and pop fish stores are so much better. I hate petco. Mine in Fenton,MO has he same problem with there bettas. Also almost have of there 30 tanks were under "observation" also known as ick. I think some of my danios I got from there have it to. I only buy fish from my LFS and Petsmart with much better tanks and fish.

 

That's a loaded question...haha, Klem's is like a Tractor Supply meets Walmart meets Petsmart. Tractors, hardware, service department for equipment, clothing/shoes, lawn and garden, and a decent sized pet department (supplies, pocket pets, birds, fish...). PM me if you want more info or if you are ever looking for something.

I know when I've visited most of the LFS in the area I wasn't really "into" the marine side of things, so as far as prices go I'm not really sure. I do plan on calling around when I get the stuff for my 10g, for prices on live rock, so I will let you know what I find. The live rock at Klem's is $9.99/lb, even with my discount it's too expensive for me.