Venturing out for a casual window shopping trip recently, I wasn’t expecting to stumble upon a treasure trove for nano aquarium enthusiasts. Still in the process of setting up my new home and with no tanks currently running, my visit to a local pet store was more of an exploratory mission. Thinking they might have a limited selection, especially considering past experiences with their plant offerings, I was prepared for a quick browse. However, this particular visit turned out to be surprisingly exciting, revealing a shift towards catering to the growing interest in small, captivating aquatic life – a true Tropical World Pets haven in the making.
As I explored their fish selection, despite it being somewhat depleted likely due to Black Friday crowds, intriguing names jumped out. Species like the Celestial Pearl Danio, Chili Rasbora, and Badis Badis – all inhabitants of the vibrant tropical world – were present, alongside other interesting choices such as Checkered Rasboras and Threadfin Rainbowfish. Even the quirky “bomb explitve shrimp” (likely mislabeled, perhaps referring to Bumblebee Shrimp or similar) added to the unique assortment. It was a pleasant surprise to find these species, all of which were already on my personal wishlist for future nano tank projects.
However, the plant selection remained a familiar sight – rock wool pots filled with standard Florida Aquatic Nursery plants. There was a section of discounted plants, marked down by 50% and placed in a deeper tank, presumably older or in need of revival. From this section, I managed to pick up some Marsilea quadrifolia and Monte Carlo, hopeful that I can rejuvenate them in an emersed setup.
Continuing my exploration, I discovered something quite unexpected: the store had discontinued their saltwater section. Initially, this might seem like a step back, but upon further consideration, it signaled an exciting new direction.
Rounding another corner, my eyes caught sight of a Mr. Aqua rimless tank! My immediate thought was that it would be significantly more expensive than online retailers like Amazon. To my astonishment, I was completely wrong. They had the Deep Blue Professional 12x12x12 cube priced at a mere $44. Even factoring in tax, this was considerably cheaper than what I could find on Amazon Prime. The deal was too good to pass up, and I caved, purchasing it to complement a spare 12″ light I already owned.
During the checkout process, I chatted with the staff and learned about their strategic shift. They expressed their intention to focus more on nano aquariums, stocking a wider variety of small yet captivating fish species. The space previously occupied by saltwater setups was being repurposed to accommodate this new direction, effectively expanding their offerings in the freshwater tropical world pets category.
Further adding to the positive developments, I noticed Dragon Stone, also known as Ohko Stone, available in the store. Mentioning my appreciation for them stocking it, the staff member at the counter shared that they were planning to order a substantial quantity of Seiryu Stone in the coming weeks. This commitment to aquascaping materials further solidified their dedication to the freshwater planted tank and nano aquarium hobbyists.
While I am genuinely enthusiastic about the store’s new trajectory and their focus on the tropical world pets niche, I do hope they reconsider their approach to plant selection. There are undoubtedly better methods for presenting and selling aquarium plants. Perhaps implementing CO2 in their plant display tank and sourcing aquacultured brands instead of solely relying on Florida Aquatic Nursery could significantly enhance their plant offerings and appeal to a broader range of aquascapers.
Despite the plant situation, I am definitely looking forward to stocking my new Mr. Aqua cube tank with fish from this local store. Their commitment to expanding their selection of unique nano fish and aquascaping supplies makes them a promising destination for anyone interested in creating their own miniature tropical world at home.
