Star Fisheries Open Day (very pic heavy!)

[Kate89 1,315]

I have had the most amazing goldfish-filled day

I've been to Star Fisheries open day, which for those of you who haven't heard of it, is one of the main fancy goldfish breeders and suppliers in the UK. There's not many places in the UK where you can find such a wide variety of fancies, so this place is pretty special.

So I walked upstairs and was greeted by a giant goldfish wall, and the biggest oranda tank I have ever seen. I WILL have this tank one day!!!

To give you an idea of the size of the oranda tank, Baz has been volunteered as size comparison , he's 6'2'', so you get the idea...

(Note the price on the tank, those oranda's ranged from £195 to £395!!)

Here are some more pics of the orandas...

Gorgeous big choc oranda but the pic is a bit rubbish...

I loved these panda orandas, I nearly got one but they were a bit bigger than what I wanted, I think I'll always get babies from now on.

I was trying to focus on looking for an oranda, but there were just so many adorable ranchus, I very nearly came home with one. Here's some pics of a few, sorry some of them are a bit blurry, I was very excited. Oh and just a general apology for the quality of the videos and if they make you feel a bit seasick, again, I was very excited.

This little guy ...

There were also some gorgeous top view ranchu, some bred by Andrew James, and the others imported and bred by a japanese breeder.

There were lots of lovely veiltails...

(Some stunning calico ryukins in this vid too)

Some big beautiful ryukins...

Bristol Shubunkins…

Crowned pearlies...

Big fat ping pong balls, stunning ryukins, the cutest white chu, and panda moors...

Veiltails, panda orandas, panda moors, tricolour orandas, and beautiful chus...

This little cutie reminded me of Jenna's Betty...

Hope you all enjoyed the photos and videos, I definitely enjoyed myself! They have an open day every month until Christmas now, so I'm sure I'll find myself there again.

Pics of my coming soon….

[Mikey 6,780]

I wish I lived in the UK!!!!

[GoldenSpoiledRotten 6,786]

Ahhhh this is just amazing. The one that reminded you of Betty is a celestial eye, and a gorgeous one at that!

I am so jealous.

[motherredcap 6,284]

Looks like a busy day! What does Baz think of all this?

[Dalya-and-her-Goldies 175]

So do I!!! This place looks amazing!!! You should have told me earlier so that I would have been able to plan a trip to the UK!!!

[fingers 1,350]

Wow!!!...looks fantastic!!.....I have often wondered about buying from star fisheries on line!!!

[jenzaar 11,605]

omg!!! :thud

I am so that the celestial reminded you of Betty! I have never seen one in person, and always thought they were kinda weird but I could definitely love the one that you posted. It has pompoms too!!!

Wow. I can't watch the videos yet but will soon. I can't imagine how exciting that trip must have been!! :o

[Kate89 1,315]

Ahhhh this is just amazing. The one that reminded you of Betty is a celestial eye, and a gorgeous one at that!

I am so jealous.

Yeh it was actually supposed to be a pom pom celestial, but it had the tiniest pom poms! Cute all the same though

Looks like a busy day! What does Baz think of all this?

He's actually getting into the whole fish thing now, he was looking forward to the open day and he absolutely loved that giant oranda tank! He was holding the new fish in its bag on the tube home very protectively as well

So do I!!! This place looks amazing!!! You should have told me earlier so that I would have been able to plan a trip to the UK!!!

Haha You can go visit anytime, you just have to email them to book an appointment.

Wow!!!...looks fantastic!!.....I have often wondered about buying from star fisheries on line!!!

I'd go choose myself if I'm completely honest, they do have some gorgeous fish but there were a lot that just looked a bit flat and unhappy. Also someone else on here from Scotland recently had a delivery of fish from them and said that the packaging was pretty terrible.

I would definitely recommend a visit if you're ever in the area though

omg!!! :thud

I am so that the celestial reminded you of Betty! I have never seen one in person, and always thought they were kinda weird but I could definitely love the one that you posted. It has pompoms too!!!

Wow. I can't watch the videos yet but will soon. I can't imagine how exciting that trip must have been!! :o

They had quite a few Jenna! You did well to notice the pom poms, I wouldn't have noticed if it wasn't written on the tank, they're more like mini poms!

[goldfishfanforever 913]

Omg I need to visit there someday

[SweetMamaKaty 2,788]

Goldfish. Coma. That place is incredible!

[Lis. 4,167]

I wish I could've gone kind of glad I didn't go though, I know I would have bought something thanks for the pictures Kate, looks so good!

[Flipper 13,057]

Holy Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so overwelmed I can't express myself and I can't even see all the pics cuz I'm at work. I'll check things out better when I get home!

I know where I want to go if I visit the UK

[Millie. 60]

I'm so glad you posted! I am in the process of setting up my first fancy tank so I should be looking at getting a couple of fish around Christmas time...perhaps a little after, and I was really considering star fisheries. At the moment I am thinking of getting a couple of pearl scale/a pearlie and a ranchu.

What gorgeous fishes. Love the little celestial and the tri-colour orandas.

The prices really surprised me. I'm guessing that those fish were show quality?

While you were there did you see any cheaper specimens of pearlies and ranchu? And if so, were they still decent quality fish?

Sorry about the questions, I just partly need to feel like I'm doing something productive to reach my fishy dreams . I'm just so excited about the day I can finally welcome some fish into my home and so frustrated that it's taking me so long to get everything together

I have been on their website and know you can get small fancy varieties for under a tenner...but it's difficult when I don't really know what I would receive.

[molbert73 2,080]

Wow! What a cool place. I wouldn't have been able to walk out of there with only one!

[Daniel 5,668]

That's so awesome! I love that little orange and white ranchu just before the tvr.

[Ruby 26]

Thank you thank you thank you!! Fantastic pictures and video. All those cute little fishies . I'm looking forward to your picture of the fish you took home.

I'm so glad you posted! I am in the process of setting up my first fancy tank so I should be looking at getting a couple of fish around Christmas time...perhaps a little after, and I was really considering star fisheries. At the moment I am thinking of getting a couple of pearl scale/a pearlie and a ranchu.

What gorgeous fishes. Love the little celestial and the tri-colour orandas.

The prices really surprised me. I'm guessing that those fish were show quality?

While you were there did you see any cheaper specimens of pearlies and ranchu? And if so, were they still decent quality fish?

Sorry about the questions, I just partly need to feel like I'm doing something productive to reach my fishy dreams . I'm just so excited about the day I can finally welcome some fish into my home and so frustrated that it's taking me so long to get everything together

I have been on their website and know you can get small fancy varieties for under a tenner...but it's difficult when I don't really know what I would receive.

I got my new fish from Star Fisheries and as Kate89 said the packaging was terrible. I went for the 'budget' fish and must say that although they are not show quality (Oranda and Pearlie are a bit long bodied for the breed ideal etc etc) they are still lovely quality fish and I doubt I'd be able to find similar in a regular fish or pet shop. If you went for more expensive fish they'll probably bother to package them properly. I spent £25 on overnight shipping and only £16 on the actual fish. It is a bit of a downside not picking the exact fish but you do get to pick breed and colour. I would say that if possible better to go and collect them yourself but if not then the 'budget' fishies are still worth the cost of shipping. I also have to add that they did get my order wrong and I got a crowned calico pearlscale instead of a regular red and white. Still, they are gorgeous fish and so far very healthy.

[fantailfan1 26,742]

Gimme all da baby chus.

[*Amanda* 556]

Wow, that is just amazing. I would LOVE to have a place like this in my area. We have some great auction sites here in the U.S., but nowhere around me that you can go and look at high-quality GF in person.

I am familiar with Star Fisheries and they have many beautiful fish. I actually emailed them once because their website said they shipped to the U.S., but they told me it would cost about $500 to do so!!!

[Georgia 3,820]

OMG! It's like a candy store in there!

I'm surprised you didn't get one of everything!

Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed it!

[OrandaPanda 58]

Soooo jealous, what an amazing store!

[Isa17 299]

Ohh my........

[gouverneurcc 6]

How large is the big tank? Did they say how many gallons?

[Flipper 13,057]

I keep going back to look at your photos and videos! I can't get enough!

[Hinfin 308]

Very nice quality fish! Wish they would ship to Holland.....

[number20121 2,663]

I wonder how much rent they would charge, because I definitely want to move in and live there.

Thanks for sharing!