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In February '09, four members of Preston and District Aquarist Society (me, my partner Liz, Mike Connor and Alan Vaissiere) took the opportunity to visit the Netherlands for a day, to take in some of the top Dutch Aquarium Shops. The opportunity came courtesy of P+O’s two-for one offer on the Hull-Rotterdam crossing, enabling the four to make the return trip (with car) for approximately £80 each including 2x2 bunk cabins, with quality dinner and breakfast included on both crossings. The ship leaves Hull at approximately 7.00 pm each evening, arriving the following morning in Rotterdam’s Europort at 8.00 am the following morning, giving the full day (until approximately 6.30 pm) to tour the country visiting shops.  Prior planning, taking advice by e-mail communication with Ruinemans, (one of Holland’s leading wholesalers), and a fishkeeping colleague with some experience of ‘the Dutch scene’ helped draw up a hit-list of likely shops to include. These were . . . 1.Aquariumhaus Romberg;-at Delft 2.Heems;-at Heemstede *Verduijn Cichlids;- at Zevenhuizen 3.Rifwachter;- at Hilversum 4.Aqua Ferrytales;- at Amersford 5.T’Guppy;- at Ede (* Unfortunately the visit took place on a Tuesday, which coincided with Verduijn Cichlid’s closing day, so the itinerary was reduced to five shops). Armed with a route drawn up from Google Maps, and a trusty Sat. Nav, (invaluable in achieving 100% directions ‘to the doorstep’) the five shops were successfully visited, with comfortable time to spare for the ferry home. 1. Aquariumhaus Romberg.   First impressions on entering this medium sized shop were that it looked clinically clean, with the tanks all in immaculate condition. After a cursory glance at the central ‘show cube’ tanks by the door, and the first bank of largely ‘bread and butter’ fish, attention soon moved to the good sized section of tanks in front of the shop’s small counter, which held the more specialised and unusual species.  It was here that the "child in a sweetshop" syndrome truly kicked in, with not only the rarity of the species displayed, but the quality, colour and size of many. Deciding which to choose was a real problem given that there were another four shops still to visit. Difficult to highlight particular strengths in terms of fish, as everyone has their own preferences, but a few species of dwarf cichlids (both South American and African) were bought, along with some livebearers, killis, and the documented but previously unseen hyphessobrycon heliacus.  2. Heems. This shop at first glance seemed like one of the large pet store type which often in the UK would command only a cursory glance before heading for the door. Heems was not like that, as it had a large dedicated fish room and a wide selection of well kept quality fish.The photo below is just one of many outstanding examples of superb show tanks seen on our visit.  Particularly noticeable were the large centre aisle of tanks dedicated to a huge selection of immaculate plants and a good sized section devoted to discus. A spectacular group of Nannostomus Unifasciatus were purchased.  3.Rifwachter From the outside you see a building that looks most unlike a fish shop. Two vans bearing the shop’s logo, and several large concrete vats holding koi and other coldwater species do give the game away, but neither prepare you for the gem within. An austere concrete interior with large hoppers between the upper and lower floors give clues to its former life as a salt-loading station.  So what makes it so good?........ Easy:- the fish, an unbelievable selection of hundreds of different species covering every aspect of the hobby.  It would be hard to imagine any fishkeeper, no matter what their ‘taste’ in fish, not finding plenty to make them want to part with their hard earned euros. Superb range, colour, size and condition just about sum it up.  It wasn't just the superb fish that make it well worth a visit, there was also a good selection of plants and I must mention the friendly, helpful staff. 4. Aqua-Ferrytales- or not! The pre-trip research for this one, (looking at the websites), proved a little more problematic than with the others. Although the site was in Dutch it was obvious to understand that Ferrytales had very recently opened a new shop, a little off the planned route. Whether this was an additional shop i.e. an expansion, or a move, was not clear. It was decided to take in the original Amersford shop as it fell nicely on the route anyway. On arrival it was obvious that this was still a fish shop, but with a change of name and ownership. The new name, ‘Utaka’, apparently should have given some clue that this was predominantly a cichlid shop.  The shop was lightly stocked. Perhaps cash flow of an initial set-up may have led to this, but there was obviously plenty of potential to expand stock and one would assume it could be one to watch, particularly for cichlid enthusiasts, in the future. A mental note was made to try to include the new Aqua Ferrytales in any subsequent trip. 5.t’Guppy. After a minor diversion into t’Guppy fishing and sports shop across the road, the correct premises were found. Another large ‘pet shop’ establishment with a fish area to the rear. The quality of some large koi, mouthing at the surface of a good sized internal pond, and a selection of various large parrots, including two immaculate macaws was impressive and helped build an anticipation that the fish department might be another ‘goodie’.  The reality was a little disappointing, as there was little to greatly enthuse about. Perhaps it could have been that ‘great shop fatigue’ had set in, or maybe that the visit took place on a Tuesday, and as one of the young shop assistants explained, "fish delivery day is Wednesday". Who knows? The jury is still out on that one. And home . . . Some 240 'ish miles were covered on Dutch soil and with a quick fill up of cheaper than home ‘euro diesel’ just before boarding for the return crossing, the return leg was made without incident. Fish were left in the car boot, housed in four ‘poly boxes’, (twice as many as originally anticipated), and there were no casualties whatsoever. Slight concern as to the legality of the importation of the fish had conveniently been placed at the back of the mind. Only once back in ‘Blighty’, and out of curiosity, was it decided to check out the legal situation. A brief call to CEFAS, (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science), confirmed that tropical fish are considered "a free-trade item within the E.U." and therefore there was no case to answer. Most certainly the whole excursion was a resounding success, and one certain to be repeated should a similar opportunity arise. Copyright; Text and photos; John Dean. |
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