Maidenhead Aquatics  Reviews 

Advice on the number of fish suitable for size of tank is completely contrary to everything else I’ve read or been advised on.
Be wary, as our tank would not have coped with a number of fish advised. Maybe staff need better training or the company is happy to sell as much as possible with the welfare of the fish not being a concern.

Really helpful staff, educated on fish

Very polite assistant but did not seem very knowedgeable when answering my questions, (I am a complete novice when it comes to small garden ponds).
Good selection of plants and aquariums etc but I feel it would have been better if I had known exactly what I wanted before my visit. First impressions were also that prices were high but maybe they were par for the course.

Awww went to radyr aquatics by pughs on the weekend had great service by the cheerful Scott so helpful and full of knowledge!! I walked out happy with my new fish for my daughters new pond with Scott’s help I got the right type of fish full of personality thank you thank you xxxx

Popped into Maidenhead Carnon downs after long time (10 years) not keeping fish

Very helpful & approachable staff explained everything thoroughly with fishes best interest in mind. Very passionate and Good selection of tropical fish and shrimp. Left with a 30 liter starter kit and will be back to get fish

Popped into the Crawley store to get some tropical fish but didn’t stay long, I thought my tank was overdue a clean but the sight of the tanks there and the poor fish was shocking. I asked the staff if they were going to remove the dead fish and he jumped up and said yes of course. Surely this would be a priority as a number of tanks had dead fish in but one tank over half the fish were dead see the picture

Returned a pond pump that had stopped working and we thought that it was faulty.
Handed it to Samuel who diagnosed the fault straight away.
Went for lunch and when we returned it was working normally. Next time we'll read the maintenance instructions thoroughly.
The staff there could not have been more helpful and were extremely pleasant. Full marks.

I purchased among other plants a 3 Bulb Water Lilly 3L in May 2024. Only one Lilly grew. Taking advice from the Maidenhead Aquatic store I monitored it. This spring only one has grown. I took it back to be told they would not change refund or credit so I e-mailed head office to be told the same. I am now £32 out of pocket. I would have been quite happy to receive a partial refund as one had grown. I have used Maidenhead Aquatics many times over the years so I am very disappointed.

Brighton Marina.
Went into the shop today and I was greeted by some very friendly staff members.
The young man who helped us with our purchases was Luke, he was very helpful and knowledgable.
We will be returning in the future.

I was looking to buy a few fish for my 29L fish tank today…I was served by Oliver, who gave me some invaluable advice, guidance and came away happily with 2 Gourami’s for my tank…. Thank You Oliver, your excellent knowledge and great customer service ensured that I left a very satisfied customer

I bought my tank and most of my kit from their online store. Everything arrived on time and as ordered. I was kept updated throughout.

Since then, I've visited their Gosforth store in Newcastle upon Tyne three times. Each time, I've received fantastic service. Their staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Bought two koi carp. Sadly the people in the shop had no idea about koi carp and the different types, eg Ogon Koi. They were surprised I wanted a black bin bag to put the bag with the fish in, so they would not get too stressed on the way back to their new home.

Maidenhead need to train their staff on fish types and the basics of looking after fish.

Went to maidenhead today three men hanging around I had to ask for service one said no we don't have what you want because pointing at colleague he was late ordering they all laughed. No way would I recommend this place.

We went to Maidenhead Aquatics in Norwich after a previous shop sold us Hawaiian platties - Not telling us they were breeders!
We showed the videos of the fish to the team and they advised us on what to do
Since then we have used Maidenhead for all of our fish, ointments, testing strips, decorations
Thank you Arun and Barney

Went into re-home a parrot cichlid I purchased from them a few months ago, long story short the cichlid is on a rampage in my tank and attacking every fish.

They stated they can't re-home as their tanks are all connected and the potential for disease. Which tbh I find to be a lie, you are telling me this fish shop doesn't have quarantine tanks so when they get massive shipments of fish they go straight into the show tanks?

Very disappointed with this outcome, I question this behaviour as people in similar positions could just dispose of fish inhumanely.

Very disappointed and won't be returning.

This review is for Worcester. We often visit the store and we have always had brilliant advice from Alex and Anna. They are friendly and helpful, especially Anna who is very patient with our lack of knowledge sometimes. I am at a loss to see how the previous reviewer found her a bully as she is always very pleasant. I would recommend this branch to anyone.

RE: Worcester Maidenhead store. I’ll start by the sheer bullying attitude from Anna who wouldn’t have got a job with me as anything let alone customer service. Barked at me and was so rude. As far for looking after the goldfish and koi blanket weed everywhere disgraceful. Don’t care attitude and poor treatment of fish so avoid and go somewhere who value you and fish

I’ve been visiting your stores since the late 80s. I’m an old school hippy with enormous respect for life and have always been mostly happy with what Ive seen in your stores. Largely because they seemed ethical. I’ve always been able to get what I need cheaper elsewhere, but I’ve been pleased with the health of the fish and their general wellbeing in Maidenhead stores which is of course among the most important things to me.

However.

I had a discussion with a member of staff at one of your stores yesterday. We were discussing koi as i was looking to buy some new stock for my indoor zen garden and the experience left me feeling not very zen at all. Especially as the member of staff was very rude to me when he realised I was not impressed with where these fish had come from, I think the exact wording was “buy them somewhere else then”.

It was revealed to me that a large portion of the koi you stock are sourced from fish farms in Israel.

I don’t think I need to go into why in the current climate this is concerning, but it is, extremely. There have been issues now for long enough that suppliers could have been changed if there was any desire to but greed trumps (ha) all once again.

I haven’t consumed a Coca Cola product since the 80s and nestle no longer exists in my life among many others for varying ethical reasons. Finding good chocolate used to be a nightmare! Thanks fairtrade.

I never thought I’d have to stop using Maidenhead, but here we are.
I can’t justify contributing to a company that values money over ethical sources.
I’ll be going to independent stores from now on and so will my friends. Slightly inconvenient, but less expensive AND I know my money is supporting real people and not another soulless chain.

That response, goodness... “b-b-but I started doing business with the bad guys before WW2!” No, it’s greed.

This place has gone down hill over the last year. Original staff have seemed to jump ship and the new ones don't seem to have a clue. Overheard a disturbing comment from one male member of staff that has finally caused me to boycott this shop. The young lady was very helpful but the guys in the shop let it down. Not keen on the new manager either seems very disingenuous.