elmer's aquarium, monroeville.

address: 4005 william penn hwy., monroeville pa 15146.
website: www.elmersaquarium.com
phone: (412)372-6535
hours: m-s: 1000-2130, sun: 1200-1700.

selection, 7/10:
it might be rated higher if i didn't have to drive 5+ hours to get there (i was actually in the area for other reasons anyway), but their selection is good. they have a nice dedicated cichlid selection, and some rarities in stock. it's the only place i'd ever seen peacock bass for sale (though i got mine special-order from finsanity), and one of only two places i've ever seen snooks (that pet place being the other). it's the only place i've ever seen paratilapia bleekeri also.

health, 9/10:
i've only been there once, but had a 90% survival rate with the fish, the only fatality being a livingstoni that was ill-equipped to survive my little dempseys. and that was with a long car ride home. in fact, i likely would have bought more if i'd known they'd have all done so well.

staff, 7/10:
this might be unfair, actually. i didn't ask any questions, so i'm not sure quite how knowledgable they are. the girl who assisted me did know the difference between a male and female convict, so that's something. they were also cognizent enough to package the fish each individually, knowing i had a long ride home, and also courteous enough to help
me load three large boxes into the car.

prices, 7/10:
their prices on grown fish were generally good, but the prices on smaller fish were a bit high. there were a few fish that i would have liked to have brought home but was turned off by the price. the aforementioned snooks, about 4" were $35 and similar sized peacock bass were $40. little red terrors were $15. but i got an adult female convict for $7 and a 20" florida gar for $25.

overall, 30/40:
for months we've been debating the merits of driving all that way to visit a store that would not give a listing of their stock over the phone. ultimately, a job interview in nearby mckeesport got me out to western pennsylvania and i decided to check out elmer's while i was there. it is a great store if you're in the area, but would not have been worth the trip if it were the sole reason for the trip. that said, i'm pleased with my purchases.