OTHER STORIES Hacienda Guadalupe specializes in Paso Fino horses Emerald Acres owner loves the green of Horse Country Bradwell calls Neighborhood Fish Farm 'Like nowhere else on earth'

When most people see Neighborhood Fish Farm at 12150 SW 45th Street for the first time, "they are amazed because they have never seen anything quite like it", says Richard Bradwell its owner and operator.

"In fact many people become so enamored looking at the fish that they loose all sense of time," he says.

Here, sprawled over approximately one and a quarter beautifully landscaped acres in the heart of South West Miami Dade's "Horse County" are 137 strategically placed fresh water, concrete "ponds" containing over 200 species of tropical fish.

"Neighborhood Fish Farm maintains a living environment in which tropical fish thrive," says Bradwell. "We try to keep things as simple as possible and as natural as possible."

For over thirty years tropical fish enthusiasts have made the farm one of their favorite places to buy not only their fish, but also the aquariums, supplies and equipment they need to enjoy their hobby.

Here they can find just about any kind of fresh -water tropical fish they could want, except piranhas. At any given time, there are 30 to 40 different kinds of gold fish plus angel fish, African cichilds, show guppies, koi, sharks, and an excellent selection of orandas. Pond lilies, palm trees, accessories, books and supplies are also available.

Although some of the fish are bred and raised on the farm, from time-to-time Bradwell needs to replenish his inventory. When that occurs he brings in fish from as close as Tampa, Florida or as far away as Africa, Southwest Asia, Indonesia, South America, plus China, Japan and other locations in the Far East.

Tropical fish keeping is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States. According to industry sources approximately 12.2 million households in the US maintain tropical fish as a hobby and 90 percent of the supply comes from Florida.

"Most people don't realize it, but tropical fish are one of Florida's leading agricultural exports," says Bradwell. "Many years ago Miami-Dade County was a major producer of tropical fish. Now the industry is centered primarily in the Tampa/Hillsborough County area."

"Neighborhood Fish Farm has and will continue to be a small retail operation," he said. "We have served some of our customers for two or three generations and get our business, in large part, because tropical fish lovers often refer us to people who are serious about their hobby.

"We also send e-mail to about 500 preferred customers on a regular basis and are in the process of expanding our website, www.tropicalfish miami.com. Most of our customers live in South Florida, but many are in other parts of the US, Haiti, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. We ship the fish by air freight," he said.

Although it is one of Florida's smallest fish farms, Neighborhood Fish Farm has won many awards through the years including first place in Live Bearing Category from the Florida Tropical Fish Farm Association, a major trade organization representing Florida's 180 commercial fish farms.

Bradwell has owned and operated the Neighborhood Fish Farm for many years. He came here in 1971 after graduating from Bloomsburg State University of Pennsylvania. His brother, who owned the farm at the time, convinced him to move to Miami and work here because the job market was tough, the war in Vietnam made the times turbulent, and the weather in Miami was beautiful.

Bradwell has never been sorry he took his brother's guidance.

"When people say, 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence'... they're looking into my yard," he says.

"This is the only place on earth where I could live in such a marvelous climate, work in my back yard, enjoy life with my wonderful wife Nancy of almost 30 years, raise three sons, have two dogs and meet people from all over the world."

In addition to serving several terms as a member of the board of the Bird-Kendall Homeowners Association, Bradwell has been active in other civic organizations.

Many people know him as "The Soccer Guy" because he organized 15-20 soccer clubs during a 20 year tenure as a volunteer with the American Youth Soccer Organization. He served at its state director for eight years, and is now president of the Southern Soccer Coalition, the most successful club for boys and girls in the county today.

"I feel especially fortunate to live in this part of Miami- Dade," he said. "This area, known as 'Horse Country', because of its numerous horse farms, wide open spaces, and residential/rural atmosphere is a respite from the rest of the county. It's a green belt where you can see people riding horses up and down the street, take the time to get to know their neighbors and feel good about life."

Neighborhood Horse Farm is open from 10 am to 6 p.m. seven days a week, except on major holidays. It is located at 12150 SW 45th Street, west of the Florida Turnpike, near Bird Road and SW 122nd Avenue. For information and directions, go to www.tropicalfishmiami.com  on the Internet or call 305-221-8013.