The saga of the Dubai office aquarium
I admit it -- I like aquariums. If I'm feeling particularly stressed out, watching colourful fish swim back and forth while listening to the bubbling of the pump, airstones and the rest can really help. That may be why I have one tank at home, and three at the office.
Anyway, we've had an office (shared space, but nice shared space) for more than a year. And still no tank. Part of this is due to the staff, part of it due to me, and most of it due to the fact that it's impossible to find anything in the UAE unless you either already know where it is, or already know someone who knows where it is.
Anyway, here are the five places we've managed to find over time, just in case you or someone you know is in the same boat:
Animal World, Jumeriah Beach Road (Dubai), +97143444422, animalworlddxb@hotmail.com
Not much in the way of livestock or supplies. Like many stores in the UAE, this is an old-school pet store, and they have rodents, birds, and the occasional cat and dog. Many of the rodents are kept poorly, and the cute German Shepard puppy was probably dying of heat stroke in the front window. I refuse to buy anything here, and won't let my staff, either. Prices are also high.
Creatures World, Sharjah, +97165660601, creaturesworldsharjah@hotmail.com
Excellent selection of livestock and supplies, including rare fish. This is a fish and turtles affair, and the people who run it seem to know what they're doing. This is the only place I've seen African Cichlids in the UAE. Decent prices, and one of the two contenders for our business. Staff is slightly hostile in the typical aquarium store manner.
Jassina Fish Aquarium, Deira (Dubai), +97142691665, jassina@emirates.net.ae
Decent store with good livestock and supplies. Closer to the office than Sharjah, and quite possibly less expensive. Friendly staff.
Marina Treasures, Close to Mall of the Emirates (Dubai), +97143474666
A sad little pet store with absolutely nothing to recommend it.
Petzone, Sheik Zayed Road (Dubai), +97143211424, petzone@emirates.net.ae, www.petzoneonline.com
This is probably the most professional shop we've been in. Prices are astronomical, and livestock selection isn't great. While this is a traditional pet shop, it's clear that they treat their animals well, and every time I end up here, I take a visit to dog jail (or gaol if you prefer) to play with the puppies. Except for emergency supplies (it is very close to the office), I can't see shopping here.
Here's the Etisalat Yellowpages listing for Aquarium suppliers -- http://www.yellowpages.ae/BrowseCategory.aspx?CtgID=1490 -- anyone have any experience with these places?
Anyway, we've had an office (shared space, but nice shared space) for more than a year. And still no tank. Part of this is due to the staff, part of it due to me, and most of it due to the fact that it's impossible to find anything in the UAE unless you either already know where it is, or already know someone who knows where it is.
Anyway, here are the five places we've managed to find over time, just in case you or someone you know is in the same boat:
Animal World, Jumeriah Beach Road (Dubai), +97143444422, animalworlddxb@hotmail.com
Not much in the way of livestock or supplies. Like many stores in the UAE, this is an old-school pet store, and they have rodents, birds, and the occasional cat and dog. Many of the rodents are kept poorly, and the cute German Shepard puppy was probably dying of heat stroke in the front window. I refuse to buy anything here, and won't let my staff, either. Prices are also high.
Creatures World, Sharjah, +97165660601, creaturesworldsharjah@hotmail.com
Excellent selection of livestock and supplies, including rare fish. This is a fish and turtles affair, and the people who run it seem to know what they're doing. This is the only place I've seen African Cichlids in the UAE. Decent prices, and one of the two contenders for our business. Staff is slightly hostile in the typical aquarium store manner.
Jassina Fish Aquarium, Deira (Dubai), +97142691665, jassina@emirates.net.ae
Decent store with good livestock and supplies. Closer to the office than Sharjah, and quite possibly less expensive. Friendly staff.
Marina Treasures, Close to Mall of the Emirates (Dubai), +97143474666
A sad little pet store with absolutely nothing to recommend it.
Petzone, Sheik Zayed Road (Dubai), +97143211424, petzone@emirates.net.ae, www.petzoneonline.com
This is probably the most professional shop we've been in. Prices are astronomical, and livestock selection isn't great. While this is a traditional pet shop, it's clear that they treat their animals well, and every time I end up here, I take a visit to dog jail (or gaol if you prefer) to play with the puppies. Except for emergency supplies (it is very close to the office), I can't see shopping here.
Here's the Etisalat Yellowpages listing for Aquarium suppliers -- http://www.yellowpages.ae/BrowseCategory.aspx?CtgID=1490 -- anyone have any experience with these places?