Aquarium & Imports Inc.

2639 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704, USA

Address:	2639 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704, USA
Phone:	+1 828-654-9938
Rating:	3.1
Working:	9:30AM–7PM 9:30AM–7PM 9:30AM–7PM 9:30AM–7PM 9:30AM–7PM 9:30AM–7PM 12–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

Maddy Battles

I have mixed feelings about this business. I came into it for the first time yesterday, and while some of the reviews on here have truthful aspects many of the claims are false. As far as cleanliness goes, I found that the cages and tanks were reasonably clean and none of the animals appeared to be starving. It didnt smell. In comparison, many major chain fish distributors such as petco, etc. often have dead, diseased, or infected fish floating around spreading their malady to other fish and they are left in their tanks to die. Most customers do not realize this unless they know what to look for. As for the reptiles, they all seemed to have enough room and looked healthy. One review claimed that they had mites...mite outbreaks do happen from time to time and as long as it is taken care of quickly its not something they can be blamed for. One thing I didnt like was their lack of knowledge. I was told to house my snake with one of a different species (which is poor husbandry anyway) who has an entirely different heat and humidity requirement. The associate also seemed to have no knowledge about the snake I was referring to, although it is a fairly common breed of boa. The crocodile in the tank has room to turn around, though he tends to not move much anyway as crocodiles do. The rodents, although clean and cared for, did appear to be gnawing on one of their young. I dont know if this is natural or what can be done to stop this behavior, but it is one thing I witnessed. They no longer keep a monkey in the store.

Julie Barnwell

My friend was looking for a rabbit to buy and my brother had bought a baby bearded dragon from this store so we went there to see if they had any rabbits. We walked in and a worker asked what we were looking for, we told him and he took us to a back corner of the store. The lights were so dim and there in a small cage was a mother rabbit and her babies not even old enought to be sold in a very dirty cage. The worker would not leave us alone to look at the animals and even told us he would love to eat the mothers babies when they were old enough, which appalled my poor friend. He then preceded to open the cage, and grab one of the babies, but then dropped the poor thing. He grabbed anought even though we told him we didnt want them. After he final left us alone, we saw in smaller cages their breeder animals, and their feeder mice, from the smell if it, were overcrowed and never even saw the light of day. There was also a baby bunny that would not move and was not reponsive, saddy the workers did not notice the poor thing. The rest of the store was alright, the reptiles were being taken care of and the fish and turtles looked good but the poor rodents and rabbits were in small, unclean cages-that the worker bragged he cleaned every night-little to say we did not ever go back. Two stars because they know how to take care of reptiles and fish but not the animals of the furry kind

Kyle Grau

DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESSES POOR/INHUMAN PRACTICES! I strongly disapprove of this stores existence because of its lack of professionalism and thus, unsatisfactory animal conditions. When you walk through the front door, youre greeted with two Monitor lizards (housed in the same terrarium) fanatically attempting to escape by stretching for the top of the container. I can confidently presume that its due to their cramped, uncomfortable environment and lack of resources (their water bowl was completely empty and filled with bedding). Once you gain enough courage to explore the rest of the store, you quickly realize that it gets worse; when you see a 5 crocodile lying motionless in a 4x7 glass container. We quickly asked the store employee what the situation was but his response was basically a poor attempt to make my girlfriend and I was feel more comfortable of the crocs housing environment/ status. His answer didnt include any confident information concerning his comfort, lack of mobility, and future. These two instances stood out the most amongst others. I could go on.. about the filthy, feces filled mice containers, inadequately sized fish aquariums, and rank smell that envelopes the store. A place like this needs to be rectified immediately or closed!

A Private User

They have an interesting selection of fish and reptiles. Its really too bad because the animals are not well-cared for. I saw several fish which appeared to have parasitic or fungal diseases, but for the most part they seemed alright. The reptiles, however, were another story. There is an alligator in a large aquarium, but even the largest aquarium is not enough for an alligator. There is also a large cage which houses several different species of snakes, most of which appeared to be piled on top of one another in the corner. It is sketchy enough to keep two snakes in one cage, but to keep multiple species shows utter ignorance about snake husbandry. In most of the cages in their little closed-off reptile section, it looked like reptiles were crowded together. Some of the animals were mislabeled, and many had dirty cages. And it appeared that they were selling caimans, or some other baby crocodilians, which shows not only ignorance but also irresponsibility. I urge you not to give this store your business; if you want fish, there are more reputable stores in Asheville, and if you want reptiles, there are many fine breeders online.

A Private User

Positive Aspects of this store: 1. The Staff is Friendly 2. There is a large selection of animals. Exotic birds, reptiles, and even a monkey. Negative Aspects of the store: Its dirty. Feces piles up in the cages and on the fur of some of the animals, and it stays that way for too long. The first thing you notice when you come into the store is a tank with a crocodile in it. The crocodile barely fits into it, and cannot ever turn around. Even more criminal of a situation is the small birdcage that their monkey is being kept in. Though there are a plethora of unused or, arguably, misused tanks, cages, or aquariums that would offer this monkey more space, it is kept in a spot so small that it cannot ever even fully stand up. Furthermore, the lack of discipline in cleaning this cage or the monkey itself has led to a foul stench in its general area. Is there another place in or around Asheville that sells live mice? (Other than Pet Supermarket, which is a nightmare as well) I am forced to patronize and witness these terrible conditions at WNC because I know of no other alternative.

Queen Serenity

I will continue to let people know what an inhumane pet store this is! Most of the 5 star reviews are from Jim Paintiffs wife. They have animals that are in tiny cages and tanks. I have been going to this pet store for years and have NEVER seen the caiman out of that tiny tank! They say he has a place out back but they are lying! He hasnt been out of that tiny tank in God knows how long. The only thing they have out back or downstairs are illegal and dangerous animals. They have many highly dangerous snakes in a room downstairs. They have an illegal kinkajou that they used money from a GoFundMe that the wife made! Jim didnt even want the GoFundMe, but his wife went behind his back to make! They raised 6k which they used to buy the kinkajou! Im working heavily with law enforcement to get this place shut down for good, and I will continue to let the world see how cruel Aquarium and Imports is! They hide the illegal animals when enforcement comes! They have been in business way too long, I dont know how!