this may be a long shot...

i am trying to find good looking, quality ranchus or lionheads somewhat locally. petco carries them occasionally but they look like crap and almost always have an obvious infection/disease. fish world off of capital used to carry nice goldfish but every time i've been in there in the past 2 years they've had none or very few, but not what i'm looking for.

i don't really want to order them online. i'd like to see in person what i'm purchasing first.

i live in rocky mount now and can't run around to check all the fish stores in raleigh/garner/cary/durham/etc anymore. if you have seen some recently, let me know. or if one particular store consistently has nice goldfish of any kind in stock, let me know.

[Edited on August 25, 2008 at 2:23 PM. Reason : *crosses fingers*]

8/25/2008 2:23:32 PM

there's a guy in greensboro that import show-quality goldfish from Thailand. I don't know if you are willing to drive that far, but it's worth the trip.

8/25/2008 7:11:44 PM

what's the guy's name? does he have a store?

8/25/2008 10:12:31 PM

he doesn't have a store. He's primarily a wholesaler. I just went to his house, and he has tanks/vats in his garage that he holds the fish in. If anybody decided to go, I might ask you to buy some for me.

8/25/2008 11:58:15 PM

yeah i think i've got that guy's name. i was really hoping for somebody with a store. rolling up at somebody's house is a little strange for me. i emailed him a couple of times to ask about what he had in stock, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer. i told him specifically what i was looking for as far as breed and color and stuff but he just kept telling me to come by and see them. never would tell me a price either.

maybe he was busy or something but that just felt sketchy.

greensboro would be a long drive for me (a little over 2 hours) for a fish, but i've considered it several times. if i was already going that direction for another reason i would possibly go by.

[Edited on August 26, 2008 at 8:29 AM. Reason : ]

8/26/2008 8:27:29 AM

I have a friend who deals exclusively in exotic fish sales. He is located in Hillsborough and has been dealing for about 3 years now, with a big selection. If you want his contact information I could provide it. I feel pretty confident that if he doesn't have what you are looking for he could either acquire it or find someone who does.

8/26/2008 9:06:22 AM

His goldfish are top-notch though. I don't think you'll ever find them like that around here. I think as far as the price goes, the cheapest ones he got was $25 for a 3 inch. He got fish that goes upward to $1000.

8/26/2008 10:58:54 PM

I'll see what we can get in, I am in DC for the week though but I will call work tommorow and see if I can get some sizes/prices for ya.

8/26/2008 11:07:47 PM

awesome! thank you

8/26/2008 11:54:39 PM

I guess I should ask first though, any specific colors you looking for? Also, afaik, ranchu and lionheads are two seperate types (physical differences), with the ranchu's being a little more sought after (more pure I guess?) and prolly higher priced.

8/27/2008 12:03:45 AM

if you can get some oranda, I would be interested too. Red caps in particular.

8/27/2008 12:09:30 AM

Quote :

"there's a guy in greensboro that import show-quality goldfish from Thailand. I don't know if you are willing to drive that far, but it's worth the trip."

have you ever checked out Aquamain in Greensboro to see if they have them? I only get Saltwater fish from there so I couldn't tell you, but I can swing by there at lunch today and check if you want

8/27/2008 8:45:40 AM

Quote :

"ranchu and lionheads are two seperate types"

yes i am aware of this, although they are very similar. i would kinda prefer ranchu but it will depend on price. ranchus have a better body shape but i like the bigger wen of the lionhead.

as far as colors, solid black, solid red, & calico are my preferences, in that order. i know black ones cost more, so again it'll all come down to price.

8/27/2008 9:46:11 AM

Quote :

"I'll see what we can get in, I am in DC for the week though but I will call work tommorow and see if I can get some sizes/prices for ya."

so did you ever find out anything?

9/4/2008 8:36:34 AM

Still looking....

9/4/2008 7:32:07 PM

I'd be interested too. Let me know the prices whenever you get them.

9/5/2008 12:10:10 AM

say i never find any with the right colors/price...would it be feasible to keep a few (3ish) small koi in my 55 gallon tank temporarily? i plan on moving in the next 2 years, the sooner the better but i understand the housing market situation right now, and i will build a big pond where ever it is i move.

is this a dumb idea?

9/5/2008 8:26:33 AM

you can keep them in there, but koi grow really fast, and I guess they won't get to their potential size if you keep them in a 55 gal. If you couldn't find the ones you like, just go to petsmart and get some fancy goldfish and put in there.

9/5/2008 5:16:06 PM