Swallow Aquatics Rayleigh

Great selection of BiOrb in stock at the moment, with some great design ideas 👍🏻

Playing about with the camera today and taking a few coral pics 😍

Swallow Aquatics Rayleigh just became even more exciting, on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd Sept we have Karty Party joining us, reptile handling, in store offers and deals and don't forget a visit to our Remedy Tea Rooms.

GO KARTING FUN! Swallow Aquatics Rayleigh just became even more exciting, on the 22nd & 23rd of Sept we have Karty Party here for you all to enjoy, along with reptile and critter handling and lots of in store offers, plus don't forget to visit our Remedy Tea Rooms!

💥DON'T MISS OUR SUPER SALE!💥 Starts this Saturday 8th Sept until stocks last on selected lines, in store and online - Huge discounts!

⭐WELCOME ALEX TO RAYLEIGH!⭐ We'd like to give our new livestock manager Alex a big warm welcome to our team here, some of you will know Alex from our Colchester branch,..he has extensive knowledge after 10 years with the company and specialises in rare species of fish, marine and tropical and will be happy to offer his to help and advice, come and have a chat and introduce yourselves 👍

⭐️NEW THIS WEEK⭐️ Our tropical and cichlid delivery has arrived, get down and see what beauties we have here for you!

We’ll be here again from 10am-4pm tomorrow with animal handling fun and special offers on reptile goods and more, come and visit us!

💚BANK HOLIDAY FUN💚 - MEET OUR REPTILES, INVERTEBRATES & FLUFFIES This weekend 26-27th August 10am-4pm, we will have showings at 15 minute intervals for you all to see, FREE goody bag for the kids. Plus don't miss SPECIAL OFFERS in store this Sunday and Monday only!

🧡HAMSTERS & DEGUS🧡 We have Male hamsters here, 3 months old, friendly, Free with cage £48.99 & £44.99
Female Degus, 5 months old, were £80.00 for 3-Now £50.00 for 3. All very friendly.

⭐LIVE FOOD SPECIAL OFFER⭐ BUY 2 GET 1 FREE on all live foods this Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th August, while stocks lasts!

💦 Looking at setting up a pond? Check our current in store offers on a variety of pond shapes and sizes this weekend! 💦

OUR COLD WATER AREA IS BACK UP AND RUNNING! Finally our Cold Water section is up and running again. As promised, we will have some great deals with discounts of up to 20% off koi and goldfish.

Our brand new toy range has arrived right on time for the summer holidays! A variety of games, novelty toys, garden party accessories and gift ideas 👍🏼☀️

❄️COOL IT!❄️ We could all do with a little cool at the moment and even more so our pets need to keep cool, we provide a wide range of cooling mats, games, toys and much more, ideal for the heatwave, your pets will love you for it!

As it’s ‘World Snake day’ we thought we’d share these two beauties with you - The Banana Mohave Enchi and the Ivory Purple Passion! 🤩👍🏼🐍

⭐️NEW⭐️ Tropical shipment from Singapore, get down and see what we have for you!

The lovely Remedy Tea Rooms here at Swallow Aquatics Rayleigh, come and dine drink tea and relax!

🥦NEW🥦 We’ve had the arrival of our new range Natures Grub. They do treats for mammals, chickens and fish and look tasty and healthy!

We had my daughters 7th birthday party here today. Well what can I say, it was fantastic. Charlotte, our party host, was lovely, so friendly, and brilliant with the girls. The organisation was great, from booking all the way through to the party itself. I barely had to do anything other than send out the invites, gather food choices (we went for the hot food option) and bring the cake and candles. They done everything and they done it well. The cafe was closed off to the public and was decorated for the party, table decorated and laid out, a table for the cake, presents and the party bags. Plus a lovely comfy area for the kids parents to relax, with the cafe to use (cakes were amazing by the way). The kids loved the treasure hunt through the shop, then enjoyed holding the animals. The food looked tasty, and going by the empty plates tasted it too, and was also a good amount for kids. They then played musical statues and we done the cake. The party was then finished off with feeding the koi, the kids loved that, and they all got a go. The party bags were excellent too. Excellent value for money, you pay more for less in other party places. I really can't say enough! Everything was spot on, there is not one thing I can fault. I will most definitely recommend Swallows as the most perfect place for a party, and I can guarantee we will be back in a few years for my youngest to have a party here too. Thank you Swallows and Charlotte for giving my little girl and her friends a fantastic time!

We had a lovely visit last Saturday with our 4 and 2 year old grandchildren. They loved the fish (we always buy our fish here as staff so helpful) and all the other animals. The Christmas decorations were magical and our grandson loved the snow machine and magic elf that was watching him to see if he was being good. The highlight was Santa who knew his name (thank you shop assistant!) and spent as long as we wanted chatting to both children, although 2 year old scared! We took photos and Santa said our grandson could pull his beard! A present and a sweet each and all for a donation to charity (not compulsory). This will be an annual Christmas visit for us. Thanks.

They gave fantastic advice on which marine fish could be kept together and have great knowledge. Showroom was amazing and the cafe was lovely.

Swallows have always been available to give me advice and help me with all my questions (there have been a lot)!!

Very helpful and caring !!xx

Had massive trouble with a second hand tank I bought and needed a part that you just couldn’t get and the kind staff of Andy , Dave and sandy let me take the part off a tank in store they were using for tortoises.

They never had to allow this but were happily enough to do it. Needless to say that they managed to get the part for me and was the most helpful staff I’ve come across as well as Charlotte very helpful.



Thanks guys 5 star �

Good range of live foods for reptiles.

Anything I need for any of our pets I always know swallows will have it.

My children love to come along with me when I do our pet food shop as they love to wander around looking at all the animals and the fish outside.

Such a brilliant selection of everything

Absolutely fantastic service today. Big thanks to Rebecca who helped us surprise Daisy today is a total credit to your company. We have one happy little lady who is in love with her two guinea pigs already. Big thanks to Neil for making her dreams come true

We went all the way through the snow to come and see santa, find the elf on the shelf, and take a trip to the cafe last weekend as the Facebook page showed the grotto looking lovely (which it did)!!

We got there and couldn't find the elf (as he had been put outside in the snow and was snowed under) thankfully the staff moved him for us.

The cafe was shut, but no mention of this online and the santa was disappointing. He barely said anything to our daughter just asked if she was good give her a sweet and a gift and had a photo. There wasn't any queue so there was plenty of time for him just to have a little chat, ask what she wanted or what she was going to leave for him on xmas eve or maybe let her know she was on the nice list.

We did however enjoy looking at the fish and picking some new ones for the new year.

We have been coming here for years, even bought our tank & system from here! Went there today (23rd December) haven’t been for a few weeks for fish went in today & were shocked at the price hike on all the tropical fish there!! £2:25 each Golden Mino?! What’s going on it cost us £33:50 now as had to buy in blocks of eight & not 4?! Was not happy & sorry to say we will no longer be buying fish from this store... Very disappointed in the amount the prices have gone up plus tanks looked very over stocked too �

It’s a real shame that Swallows has totally lost its way. The whole front of the store has become like a toy reject shop, extremely tacky and gross. All display tanks are disgusting in the way they’re set up, the decor inside is horrifically fake. 36 tanks of livebearers, such a boring selection of fish. They are selling numerous house plants as aquatic plants too. Looks like they have got clueless managers.



They should’ve stuck to what they were good at, rather than trying to become a catch them all type hellhole.



If you’re a serious fishkeeper, research where the best shops are.

Hadn’t been for a few years now, went today and it’s gone really downhill. Fish are way too overcrowded in their tanks! Felt sorry for them. Won’t be visiting again.

The cafe used to be really good and reasonable. Prices have gone up and portion sizes shrunk

Over priced poor quantity and make sure your card is signed if going for a refund JOBSWORTH WINNER 2018 Andy and his staff at swallows !!

Stick to local independent aquatic shops for reasonably priced fish and accessories as Swallows will slap your arse!

I purchased a budgie from this shop and since I got it, it has never been right, its beak started to grow deformed its toes started cracking, as a first time bird owner I was not too sure what to do with it.

I took it to get looked at and I was told our bird has the worst case of mites they have seen! I'm not sure how many of the other birds that would have been infected by this.

Also my nan bought a Canary from this same place before we realised how ill mine was and it died on the 3rd day of her owning it! As it had been over 48 hours the pet shop would not help when my nan contacted the shop as her bird was making strange breathing noises and it sadly passed.

Had a beautiful thriving fish tank up until we bought some Barbs from here (the first ones we have ever bought from this shop) now most of our fish have white spot (a problem we have never ever had) and 3 out of the 4 fish we purchased are dead and a lot of our original fish are halfway there. We are currently treating our tank with help and advice from a different shop. I feel some of the staff could also do with customer service training, always receive a very ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude.

Came over to buy some fish and ended up leaving empty handed. I wondered around the shop looking for a staff member to help with a question but there was one girl serving! I gave up after 5 minutes of looking for someone so I stood at the desk to wait but no one came, in this time two female staff members walked past without bothering to help the single girl running around on her own. So I gave up and left

Bought some 'floating' artificial pond plants from them, most of them sank out of sight. Informed them of this via the web,and they didn't even bother to reply.

Been going for years and always loved it there. However on a recent visit I was shocked to find fish had doubled in price. Bought some anyway and 10 days later everything in my aquarium was dead. New and old fish. Hadn't changed what I was doing and have been keeping tropical for 10+ years. Water was tested and everything ok.



Won't be going back again.

Absaultely dreadful, dead fish in at least 75% of the tanks, mouldy food in every single terrapin tank, filters not turned on in terrapin tanks, long waits because of a lack of staff, not the kind of place you would want to buy a pet from, it's the kind of place you would rescue pets from

We had my daughters 7th birthday party here today. Well what can I say, it was fantastic. Charlotte, our party host, was lovely, so friendly, and brilliant with the girls. The organisation was great, from booking all the way through to the party itself. I barely had to do anything other than send out the invites, gather food choices (we went for the hot food option) and bring the cake and candles. They done everything and they done it well. The cafe was closed off to the public and was decorated for the party, table decorated and laid out, a table for the cake, presents and the party bags. Plus a lovely comfy area for the kids parents to relax, with the cafe to use (cakes were amazing by the way). The kids loved the treasure hunt through the shop, then enjoyed holding the animals. The food looked tasty, and going by the empty plates tasted it too, and was also a good amount for kids. They then played musical statues and we done the cake. The party was then finished off with feeding the koi, the kids loved that, and they all got a go. The party bags were excellent too. Excellent value for money, you pay more for less in other party places. I really can't say enough! Everything was spot on, there is not one thing I can fault. I will most definitely recommend Swallows as the most perfect place for a party, and I can guarantee we will be back in a few years for my youngest to have a party here too. Thank you Swallows and Charlotte for giving my little girl and her friends a fantastic time!

We had a lovely visit last Saturday with our 4 and 2 year old grandchildren. They loved the fish (we always buy our fish here as staff so helpful) and all the other animals. The Christmas decorations were magical and our grandson loved the snow machine and magic elf that was watching him to see if he was being good. The highlight was Santa who knew his name (thank you shop assistant!) and spent as long as we wanted chatting to both children, although 2 year old scared! We took photos and Santa said our grandson could pull his beard! A present and a sweet each and all for a donation to charity (not compulsory). This will be an annual Christmas visit for us. Thanks.

They gave fantastic advice on which marine fish could be kept together and have great knowledge. Showroom was amazing and the cafe was lovely.

Swallows have always been available to give me advice and help me with all my questions (there have been a lot)!!

Very helpful and caring !!xx

Had massive trouble with a second hand tank I bought and needed a part that you just couldn’t get and the kind staff of Andy , Dave and sandy let me take the part off a tank in store they were using for tortoises.

They never had to allow this but were happily enough to do it. Needless to say that they managed to get the part for me and was the most helpful staff I’ve come across as well as Charlotte very helpful.



Thanks guys 5 star �

Good range of live foods for reptiles.

Anything I need for any of our pets I always know swallows will have it.

My children love to come along with me when I do our pet food shop as they love to wander around looking at all the animals and the fish outside.

Such a brilliant selection of everything

Absolutely fantastic service today. Big thanks to Rebecca who helped us surprise Daisy today is a total credit to your company. We have one happy little lady who is in love with her two guinea pigs already. Big thanks to Neil for making her dreams come true

We went all the way through the snow to come and see santa, find the elf on the shelf, and take a trip to the cafe last weekend as the Facebook page showed the grotto looking lovely (which it did)!!

We got there and couldn't find the elf (as he had been put outside in the snow and was snowed under) thankfully the staff moved him for us.

The cafe was shut, but no mention of this online and the santa was disappointing. He barely said anything to our daughter just asked if she was good give her a sweet and a gift and had a photo. There wasn't any queue so there was plenty of time for him just to have a little chat, ask what she wanted or what she was going to leave for him on xmas eve or maybe let her know she was on the nice list.

We did however enjoy looking at the fish and picking some new ones for the new year.

We have been coming here for years, even bought our tank & system from here! Went there today (23rd December) haven’t been for a few weeks for fish went in today & were shocked at the price hike on all the tropical fish there!! £2:25 each Golden Mino?! What’s going on it cost us £33:50 now as had to buy in blocks of eight & not 4?! Was not happy & sorry to say we will no longer be buying fish from this store... Very disappointed in the amount the prices have gone up plus tanks looked very over stocked too �

It’s a real shame that Swallows has totally lost its way. The whole front of the store has become like a toy reject shop, extremely tacky and gross. All display tanks are disgusting in the way they’re set up, the decor inside is horrifically fake. 36 tanks of livebearers, such a boring selection of fish. They are selling numerous house plants as aquatic plants too. Looks like they have got clueless managers.



They should’ve stuck to what they were good at, rather than trying to become a catch them all type hellhole.



If you’re a serious fishkeeper, research where the best shops are.

Hadn’t been for a few years now, went today and it’s gone really downhill. Fish are way too overcrowded in their tanks! Felt sorry for them. Won’t be visiting again.

The cafe used to be really good and reasonable. Prices have gone up and portion sizes shrunk

Over priced poor quantity and make sure your card is signed if going for a refund JOBSWORTH WINNER 2018 Andy and his staff at swallows !!

Stick to local independent aquatic shops for reasonably priced fish and accessories as Swallows will slap your arse!

I purchased a budgie from this shop and since I got it, it has never been right, its beak started to grow deformed its toes started cracking, as a first time bird owner I was not too sure what to do with it.

I took it to get looked at and I was told our bird has the worst case of mites they have seen! I'm not sure how many of the other birds that would have been infected by this.

Also my nan bought a Canary from this same place before we realised how ill mine was and it died on the 3rd day of her owning it! As it had been over 48 hours the pet shop would not help when my nan contacted the shop as her bird was making strange breathing noises and it sadly passed.

Had a beautiful thriving fish tank up until we bought some Barbs from here (the first ones we have ever bought from this shop) now most of our fish have white spot (a problem we have never ever had) and 3 out of the 4 fish we purchased are dead and a lot of our original fish are halfway there. We are currently treating our tank with help and advice from a different shop. I feel some of the staff could also do with customer service training, always receive a very ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude.

Came over to buy some fish and ended up leaving empty handed. I wondered around the shop looking for a staff member to help with a question but there was one girl serving! I gave up after 5 minutes of looking for someone so I stood at the desk to wait but no one came, in this time two female staff members walked past without bothering to help the single girl running around on her own. So I gave up and left

Bought some 'floating' artificial pond plants from them, most of them sank out of sight. Informed them of this via the web,and they didn't even bother to reply.

Been going for years and always loved it there. However on a recent visit I was shocked to find fish had doubled in price. Bought some anyway and 10 days later everything in my aquarium was dead. New and old fish. Hadn't changed what I was doing and have been keeping tropical for 10+ years. Water was tested and everything ok.



Won't be going back again.

Absaultely dreadful, dead fish in at least 75% of the tanks, mouldy food in every single terrapin tank, filters not turned on in terrapin tanks, long waits because of a lack of staff, not the kind of place you would want to buy a pet from, it's the kind of place you would rescue pets from