Hollywood Fish Farm is a go-to name for aquarists in Auckland and across New Zealand. Whether you’re starting your first 60‑litre community tank or building a reef, it’s a place to see healthy livestock, compare gear, and get straight advice. This guide explains what hollywood fish farm is, how shopping works, what you can buy, the pros and cons, and how to choose gear with confidence.
What is
Hollywood Fish Farm is a specialist aquarium retailer based in Auckland with brick‑and‑mortar stores and an online shop that ships nationwide. Despite the name, it’s not a fish farm—think “aquarium store”: freshwater and marine fish, aquascaping plants and hardscape, corals, tanks, filters, lights, test kits, and pond equipment. Staffed by hobbyists, it’s known for practical help and a wide range tailored to New Zealand conditions.
For Kiwis, the appeal is simple: you can inspect fish in person, match equipment to NZ power standards, and buy water conditioners and foods that are readily available here. Hollywood Fish Farm also caters to ponds—koi, goldfish, pumps, liners, and treatments suited to local weather and outdoor setups.
How it works
In‑store livestock buying
Walk the rows, watch how fish swim and feed, and choose from labelled tanks. Staff bag fish with oxygen for the trip home. You’ll get acclimation guidance and stocking tips that match your tank size and water parameters. For corals and plants, you can compare colour, polyp extension, or leaf condition under display lighting before you commit.
Online orders within NZ
The online store lists tanks, gear, foods, and many livestock options. Delivery times vary by location and season. Urban addresses usually get faster courier service than rural. Live shipments often depend on weather windows and Monday–Thursday dispatch to avoid weekend delays. Always read the current shipping terms and livestock policies on their site before ordering.
Support and services
Expect practical help: selecting compatible species, decoding test results, and choosing filters and heaters sized for your litre capacity. Many NZ aquarium shops, including hollywood fish farm, offer water testing in‑store—bring a clean sample if you want a quick check of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and hardness. Advice is tailored to local tap water and common products available here.
Types / examples
Freshwater community and planted
- Staples: guppies, platies, mollies, neon and cardinal tetras, rasboras, danios.
- Cleanup crew: bristlenose plecos, corydoras, Amano and cherry shrimp (where permitted), snails.
- Plants: Anubias, Java fern, Cryptocoryne, Amazon sword, stem plants, carpeting grasses.
- Hardscape: natural woods (mānuka, spider wood), rocks (seiryu‑style, lava), substrates and ferts.
Cichlids and oddballs
- African cichlids (Lake Malawi and Tanganyika) for hard, alkaline water setups.
- Dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma, rams) for planted soft‑water tanks.
- Other favourites: rainbowfish, gouramis, bettas in heated, filtered single‑species tanks.
Marine and reef
- Marine fish: clownfish, gobies, wrasses, tangs suited to established saltwater systems.
- Corals: softies (zoanthids, mushrooms), LPS (hammers, frogspawn), and, for advanced hobbyists, selected SPS.
- Inverts: cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, snails, and sometimes urchins.
Ponds and outdoor
- Goldfish and koi for backyard ponds.
- Equipment: pond pumps, UV clarifiers, pressure filters, liners, nets, and beneficial bacteria.
Equipment and consumables
- Aquariums and stands in NZ‑friendly sizes (from nano to 300+ litres).
- Filtration: hang‑on‑back, canister, and internal filters sized by litre flow rate.
- Heating and lighting: adjustable heaters; LED lights for plants or reef‑capable spectrums.
- Water care: dechlorinators (chlorine/chloramine), test kits, salts, buffers, and CO₂ gear.
- Foods: pellets, flakes, frozen options suited to tropical, goldfish, and marine diets.
Pros and cons
- Pros
- See livestock quality in person and pick robust individuals.
- Local expertise for NZ water, power, and seasonal temperature swings.
- Gear sized and supported for the New Zealand market.
- After‑sales help: troubleshooting, parts, and replacements.
- Nationwide online ordering for dry goods and many livestock lines.
- Cons
- Import rules limit which species can be sold in NZ, so selection may be narrower than overseas sites.
- Live shipping can be weather‑dependent, with rural delivery taking longer.
- Some premium gear may cost more than overseas due to freight and compliance.
- Popular species and corals can sell out quickly; timing matters.
How to use or choose
Choose the right setup for your goals
Match your ambitions—and your free time—to the system. Here’s a quick comparison you can use before you load a trolley at hollywood fish farm.
| Setup | Typical Size | Difficulty | Core Gear | Starter Budget (NZD) | Weekly Care | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater community (planted optional) | 60–200 L | Beginner–Intermediate | Filter, heater, LED, substrate, test kit | $300–$900 | 30–60 min | Colourful fish, low running costs |
| African cichlid (hard water) | 200–300 L | Intermediate | High‑flow filter, buffers, rockwork | $600–$1,200 | 45–75 min | Active fish, rocky aquascape |
| Marine fish‑only | 150–300 L | Intermediate | Protein skimmer, powerheads, salt mix | $900–$1,800 | 60–90 min | Marine colour without coral demands |
| Reef (mixed corals) | 200–400 L | Advanced | RO/DI, skimmer, reef LEDs, dosing | $1,500–$3,500+ | 90–120 min | Coral growth and display |
| Outdoor pond (goldfish/koi) | 1,000+ L | Intermediate | Pond pump, filter/UV, liner | $700–$2,500+ | Seasonal | Garden feature, hardy fish |
Step‑by‑step: Setting up a first freshwater tank from hollywood fish farm
- Pick the biggest tank your space allows (at least 60 L). Larger volumes are more stable.
- Choose a filter rated for at least 4–6 times your tank volume per hour. Add a heater if keeping tropical fish.
- Select substrate and hardscape. Rinse substrate until water runs mostly clear.
- Place the tank on a level stand away from direct sun and power points within drip‑loop reach.
- Fill with tap water and dose a dechlorinator that treats both chlorine and chloramine.
- Install and start the filter and heater. Set 24–26°C for most tropical community fish.
- Cycle the tank: add a source of ammonia (fish food or bottled ammonia) and test daily. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and some nitrate before adding fish.
- Add hardy fish slowly over several weeks. Keep feeding light and test water twice a week.
- Do 25–35% water changes weekly. Vacuum the substrate and clean filter media in old tank water only.
- Expand stocking and plants as your parameters remain stable. Log results so trends are obvious.
Buying tips specific to NZ and hollywood fish farm
- Water treatment: Most NZ tap water is chlorinated; many councils also use chloramine. Choose a conditioner that neutralises both.
- Power and plugs: Buy NZ‑spec heaters and pumps; avoid adapters for high‑wattage equipment.
- Stocking pace: Use test kits, not rules of thumb. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 mg/L; aim for nitrate under 40 mg/L.
- Biosecurity: Never release aquarium fish or plants into NZ waterways. Rehome responsibly.
- Livestock timing: Shop earlier in the week or ask when new shipments land at hollywood fish farm for the best selection.
- Quarantine: A separate small tank helps prevent introducing disease to your display.
FAQ
What is hollywood fish farm?
It’s a New Zealand aquarium retailer with stores in Auckland and an online shop selling freshwater and marine fish, plants, corals, tanks, filters, lights, and pond supplies.
Does hollywood fish farm ship livestock nationwide?
Many items can be shipped across NZ, but live fish and corals depend on location, courier networks, and weather. Check the current live‑shipping policy and delivery areas on their website before ordering.
Is in‑store buying better than online?
For livestock, in‑store is ideal because you can assess health and behaviour. For equipment, online is convenient if you know the exact model. Many Kiwis combine both: research online, then hand‑pick fish in person.
What fish are commonly available in NZ?
You’ll regularly see guppies, tetras, rasboras, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, goldfish, koi, clownfish, gobies, and beginner‑friendly corals like zoanthids and mushrooms. Availability changes with imports and seasons.
How do I cycle a new tank?
Run the filter on a fishless system with an ammonia source until tests read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and measurable nitrate. This builds beneficial bacteria so fish aren’t exposed to toxic spikes.
What size tank should a beginner get?
Start at 60–120 litres. The extra water volume buffers mistakes, and standard gear is easy to find at hollywood fish farm.
How often should I change water?
Most community tanks do well with 25–35% weekly changes. Heavily stocked or planted tanks may need adjustments based on test results.
Do I need RO/DI water in NZ?
For freshwater, conditioned tap water usually works. For reef tanks, RO/DI is recommended to control nutrients and minerals for coral health.
Are there legal restrictions I should know?
Yes. New Zealand has strict biosecurity rules on what can be imported and kept. Never release fish or plants into the wild. When in doubt, ask staff or check MPI and DOC guidance.
Why choose hollywood fish farm over overseas sites?
You get NZ‑compatible gear, local support, easier returns on equipment, and livestock you can inspect. Prices reflect local warranties and compliance, which often saves hassle long‑term.
Bottom line
If you keep fish in Aotearoa, hollywood fish farm is a practical, well‑stocked option: reliable gear, healthy livestock, and advice that matches New Zealand conditions. Choose a setup you can maintain, stock slowly, and use your test kit like a compass. Do that, and your tank—or pond—will thrive.