R&B Aquatics Shop Tour (Under New Management So Trying To Get The Word Out)

Here’s a quick look around R&B Aquatics in Sunderland, a local fish shop that’s now under new ownership and working hard to move forward from the site’s previous controversial reputation under a different name. From the moment you walk in, you can see that the new team is making changes and building something exciting for the fishkeeping community.

Right at the counter you’re greeted by a Geordini Arowana—an absolute character of a fish who’s been known to splash if you don’t pay him enough attention. Beyond that, the shop already has a wide range of species in stock. Some of the fish might be leftover from the old owner, but the new team has plans for over 300 new fish arriving next week, including lots of smaller community species that are perfect for planted tanks.

I mainly focus on planted aquariums, shrimp colonies, and nano fish, but if cichlids are your passion, they’ve got a great selection already. Personally I avoid them since they’d eat my shrimp, but I can’t deny they look absolutely stunning. They also have several gourami species in stock—an underrated fish and honestly one of my favorites to keep. Livebearers, tetras, and even a tank of female bettas are already available too, and the pricing is fair considering their subtle coloration.

For bottom dwellers, they’ve got Panda Corydoras, plecos, and even baby Amazon puffers (different from pea puffers, as these grow larger). Surprisingly, I spotted healthy Zebra Danios, which are harder to find now in the UK after being added to the controlled species list. I’ll definitely be grabbing some soon. Goldfish fans will be pleased too, as the shop has plans to expand its cold-water section.

The plant section has already sold out after a recent shipment, but more are on the way. It’s great to see planted aquariums gaining traction locally. The dry goods section is mixed, probably old stock, but they carry frozen foods, hardscape, and even the Somerset Shrimp Shack range from a fellow creator—I picked up some shrimp food to test, so expect a review soon.

Overall, the improvements are clear, and it’s exciting to see what the future holds for R&B Aquatics under the new owners. If you’re local to Sunderland or the North East, this shop is definitely worth visiting.

#aquarium #fishtank #fishkeeping