Greg Hiller
BRS Moderator
Okay, here's the results from the 2008 BRS survey for the best local area fish/reef shops.
Total responses to the survey that could be confirmed to be members of the BRS, and not working for, or owning a shop - 33. Not a great turn out for the survey this year. We had 88 the last time.
The survey consisted of a list of questions (see below) with the option to list any of 74 local shops that carry marine fish/invertebrates within a 2 hour driving distance of Boston as measured by Mapquest. No exceptions were allowed for shops alllllmost that close.
I want to thank everyone again who took the survey. I think the results are very interesting, and will go a long way to steer folks toward quality shops in the Boston area, depending upon what they are looking for, and what they consider valuable in a shop (customer service, selection, health of critters, etc.)
The qustions and responses are below. Remember that each 1st place ranking by a participant earned the shop 5 points, each 2nd place ranking earned 3 points, and each 3rd place ranking earned 1 point. The rank order for each question is listed, as is the total points received. Obviously, a shop earning a very high ranking compared to other shops should be considered truely outstanding for whatever category is being considered. The shops are listed in order 1-3 for each category, and the shop in 4th place gets H.M. (Honorable Mention).
For the listings by geographical location the following number of people listed themselves from each region:
WITHIN 10 MILES OF CENTER OF BOSTON - 1
NORTH OF BOSTON - 11
WEST OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 7
SOUTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 14
FIRST THE OVERALL DATA - FROM 33 RESPONDERS:
Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 74
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 64
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 37
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 32
Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 52
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 46
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 37
H.M. Tropic Isle - Framingham, MA - 35
Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best
Tie for first place on this one:
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 61
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 61
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 41
3. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 30
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 78
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 40
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 26
H.M. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 24
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best
Another tie for this category:
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 60
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 60
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 40
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 30
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 71
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 38
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 17
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 15
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 60
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 50
3. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 38
H.M. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 25
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 69
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 53
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 29
H.M. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 21
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 72
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 58
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 34
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 24
EDIT performed on 06Aug2008, during the compilation of the scores from the selected individual localities it was discovered that there was one minor error in the calculations. Fortunately, the error was ONLY in the calculation for the last question, though this question was of course the most important. The error was that one section of the responders (mostly those from south of town) for this question were left out of the calculation. The rank order of shops was significantly affected, though the same 4 shops are listed as the best shops. My very sincere appologies to Coral Reef Aquarium for the error. Below I have the original scores that were reported, now shown in gray, and the correct scores and ranking in red.
Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best
Remember, this question is asked independently of all previous questions and therefore does not rely upon the responses to the other questions.
This data in error is in gray
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 63
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 38
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 31
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester,MA - 18
The Correct data is here in RED.
Incredibly close for the top two shops!!!
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 67
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH -66
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester,MA - 32
H.M. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 31
Because of the low turnout on the survey I'm debating whether to compile all the data in a regional format as I did the last time. If I do, I'll post that information in a few days.
Also, since the information from this poll is going to be stuck here on the VE forum for a long time, I'm going to ask that any discussion of the poll take place in the reef talk forum on this thread:
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=599026#post599026
Congrats to Coral Reef Aquarium....voted Best LFS of the Boston Area.
Total responses to the survey that could be confirmed to be members of the BRS, and not working for, or owning a shop - 33. Not a great turn out for the survey this year. We had 88 the last time.
The survey consisted of a list of questions (see below) with the option to list any of 74 local shops that carry marine fish/invertebrates within a 2 hour driving distance of Boston as measured by Mapquest. No exceptions were allowed for shops alllllmost that close.
I want to thank everyone again who took the survey. I think the results are very interesting, and will go a long way to steer folks toward quality shops in the Boston area, depending upon what they are looking for, and what they consider valuable in a shop (customer service, selection, health of critters, etc.)
The qustions and responses are below. Remember that each 1st place ranking by a participant earned the shop 5 points, each 2nd place ranking earned 3 points, and each 3rd place ranking earned 1 point. The rank order for each question is listed, as is the total points received. Obviously, a shop earning a very high ranking compared to other shops should be considered truely outstanding for whatever category is being considered. The shops are listed in order 1-3 for each category, and the shop in 4th place gets H.M. (Honorable Mention).
For the listings by geographical location the following number of people listed themselves from each region:
WITHIN 10 MILES OF CENTER OF BOSTON - 1
NORTH OF BOSTON - 11
WEST OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 7
SOUTH OF BOSTON RESPONSES - 14
FIRST THE OVERALL DATA - FROM 33 RESPONDERS:
Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST FISH? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 74
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 64
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 37
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 32
Which local area pet store/supplier has the WIDEST VARIETY/BEST SELECTION OF FISH? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 52
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 46
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 37
H.M. Tropic Isle - Framingham, MA - 35
Which local area pet store/supplier has the HEALTHIEST CORALS AND INVERTEBRATES? Rank 1 = Best
Tie for first place on this one:
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 61
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 61
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 41
3. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 30
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SPS (small-polyped stony) CORALS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 78
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 40
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 26
H.M. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 24
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF SOFT CORALS AND LPS (large-polyped stony) corals? Rank 1 = Best
Another tie for this category:
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 60
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 60
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 40
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 30
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST SELECTION OF TANK RAISED/AQUACULTURED CORALS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 71
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 38
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 17
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 15
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST PRICES ON DRY GOODS? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 60
2. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 50
3. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 38
H.M. Sea Creature - North Providence, RI - 25
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST VALUE ON LIVESTOCK (considering both price AND health)? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 69
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 53
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 29
H.M. Aquarium Gallary - Hudson, NH - 21
Which local area pet store/supplier has the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE? Rank 1 = Best
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 72
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 58
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 34
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester, MA - 24
EDIT performed on 06Aug2008, during the compilation of the scores from the selected individual localities it was discovered that there was one minor error in the calculations. Fortunately, the error was ONLY in the calculation for the last question, though this question was of course the most important. The error was that one section of the responders (mostly those from south of town) for this question were left out of the calculation. The rank order of shops was significantly affected, though the same 4 shops are listed as the best shops. My very sincere appologies to Coral Reef Aquarium for the error. Below I have the original scores that were reported, now shown in gray, and the correct scores and ranking in red.
Which local area pet store/supplier would you rank as the BEST OVERALL SHOP in the greater Boston area (within a two hour drive)? Rank 1 = Best
Remember, this question is asked independently of all previous questions and therefore does not rely upon the responses to the other questions.
This data in error is in gray
1. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH - 63
2. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 38
3. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 31
H.M. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester,MA - 18
The Correct data is here in RED.
Incredibly close for the top two shops!!!
1. Coral Reef Aquarium - Seekonk, MA - 67
2. Jay's Aquatics - Salem, NH -66
3. Skiptons Pet Shop - Dorchester,MA - 32
H.M. Aqua Addicts - Salem, NH - 31
Because of the low turnout on the survey I'm debating whether to compile all the data in a regional format as I did the last time. If I do, I'll post that information in a few days.
Also, since the information from this poll is going to be stuck here on the VE forum for a long time, I'm going to ask that any discussion of the poll take place in the reef talk forum on this thread:
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?p=599026#post599026
Congrats to Coral Reef Aquarium....voted Best LFS of the Boston Area.
Last edited:
