Tropical fish store opens in Guilford
GUILFORD — A dream to have his own freshwater fish business has come true for Jeff Zimmerman. He owns and operates “The Tropical Porch” out of the front of his home at 79 Water St. in Guilford, carrying about 40 species of fish and many supplies to care for the aquatic pets.
“I wanted to do this for like 25 years,” Zimmerman said, standing in the enclosed porch with shelves of tanks going from the floor to near the ceiling on the front wall and with several other tanks positioned against side walls and in an adjacent room. “Something simple, something easy, not complicated is the way I want it.”
Zimmerman worked in emergency medical services for nearly three decades and wanted a change.
THE TROPICAL PORCH — Jeff Zimmerman recently opened The Tropical Porch out of his Water Street home in Guilford. He carries about 40 species of freshwater fish along with food and supplies.
“I just want to do what I want to do now and relax,” he said. “I have kept fish since I was about 20. It finally got into the right time where I could do it.”
The Tropical Porch opened its doors on March 19
“Word’s getting out, people are starting to show up,’ Zimmerman said. “It’s a little slow, but no worse than I expected. Hopefully this will take off, people seem to be liking it.”
The business carries freshwater fish only, with Zimmerman saying startup costs are more expensive for freshwater species.
DISCUS FISH — A pair of discus fish swim in a tank at The Tropical Porch in Guilford.
“I do plants, I do fish, I do most anything you need to go with it,” he said. “I try to keep a good selection going, pretty much anything we’re allowed to have in Maine I try to bring in. I am not here to oversell anybody or push anything on anybody, I just want to help out and give people a good place to come get fish.”
Among the approximate 40 species are different types of tetras and bettas, African cichlids, angel fish and gold fish.
“I’m really here to help people out with their fishkeeping journey,” Zimmerman said about sharing his knowledge.
The closest stores with fish to the region are located in either Bangor, Skowhegan or Waterville, and Zimmerman said each of these cities has very nice businesses.
AQUARIUM PLANTS — The Tropical Fish in Guilford has aquarium plants for sale in addition to freshwater fish and supplies.
“I am hoping to be mentioned in the same category as some of these other places,” he said.
“I have some supplies, I have more coming in,” Zimmerman said, mentioning food, water conditioners, plant fertilizer and filters.
Live food is set to arrive in the near future. “It’s small animals like daphnia and photo plankton stuff I put in to feed the fish,” he said. “It’s like having a really good meal.”
The Tropical Porch stocks frozen fish food such as blood worms, brine shrimp, Arctic copepods and clams on the half shell.
Zimmerman does not carry tanks other than having a direct contact for 20-gallon models. He recommends Petco for anything larger.
“It’s really fun meeting new people that are into this almost as much as I am and seeing their excitement when they get new fish — it’s been quite fun,” he said.
So far The Tropical Porch customers are people who formerly kept fish or are looking to add to their collections.
“I have repeat customers already which is really nice,” Zimmerman said. “I am hoping to see a lot more people here.”
“I can help people from the brand new beginner to the advanced hobbyist,” he said. “I don’t know everything but I like to learn, I had a guy teach me the other day some stuff. That exchange of ideas is really cool.”
The Tropical Porch is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. For more information, please see the business Facebook page.