ABOUT US

  

Owner and hobbyist Jerry Draper got started in this hobby accidently some 36 years ago when he was just 10 years old. He was out shopping one day with his aunt and spied some baby Alligators in a local pet store front window. While his aunt wouldn't let Jerry get an Alligator she did say it was okay to get a fish. She bought Jerry a goldfish in a jar. This is where his passion for the hobby started. 

Jerry joined a local fish club some 36 years ago when he was only 10 years old. He is now a lifetime member of the Brantford Aquarium Society. He is also an accredited judge for CAOAC (The Canadian Association of Aquarium Clubs). He has shown a lot of fish over the years and has accumulated literally hundreds and hundreds of Trophies, Plaques and Awards. Many of which are on display at his store. The Tropical fishroom opened in 1995 and moved to its current location on Grand Avenue in 2005. When Jerry moved into the new store 5 years ago, he also decided to sell Reptiles and associated goods.

          

Since his store has been in business he's seen many stores come and go. He used to have about 60 tanks at home, but due to his busy schedule at the store he is down to 1 tank right now, a 280 gallon African Cichlid show tank which houses some unique wild caught fish that Jerry actually caught himself while on a diving expedition in Lake Malawi.

There are currently 8 employees who are all hobbyists and have been with him quite some time. A few are even local fish club members. All his employees are genuinely sincere about Tropical Fish. Some of the unique challenges Jerry faces are, dealing with some of the new fish and reptiles that come in. Dealing with any new diseases and keeping new and popular fish in stock. All fish that come in from importers are treated once they have been placed in new tanks. Along with the typical common fish, if Jerry see's something new on the import list and he hasn't had at the store it he will often order some in just so he can see for himself.

  

For Jerry some of the more rewarding parts of the business are looking forward to seeing what's new on the import lists. He deals with about 10 different wholesalers and many breeders. This allows The Tropical Fishroom access to a good assortment of fish. On the hobby side he enjoys meeting and talking with new people. Hearing what they are doing that may be new to him is always interesting.

He's been on expeditions to Africa, and Costa Rica that have been very enjoyable. Many of his customers really research a specific species that they are keeping. Learning from them is also very beneficial to Jerry. You can learn a lot from listening to your customers. Jerry also graciously gives 10 percent off to all fish clubs. 

He feels they provide good support for each other. Jerry will also will try and accommodate clubs with special group buys. It's been especially rewarding to see young teens visit his store time and time again, only to go away for some years, then suddenly they show up as an adult still in the hobby now with their own children. Jerry really wants his customers to be successful. This means he is doing a good job and it also has an added benefit in making the business more successful.