Pet Fish: Where to Buy Online and In Store

Pet Fish: Where to Buy Online and In Store

Pet fish are freshwater or saltwater aquatic animals kept in a home aquarium for relaxation, education, and visual enjoyment. Picking the right place to buy them can mean the difference between healthy livestock that thrives for years and stressed arrivals that barely survive a week. This guide covers the best retailers both locally and online, what species work for different experience levels, and the mistakes that cost new fishkeepers the most money.

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What Pet Fish Are and Who Keeps Them

Pet fish are aquatic animals raised in captivity and kept inside a glass or acrylic aquarium at home. The hobby spans every skill level. A college student might keep a single betta on a dorm shelf. A retired hobbyist might maintain a 125-gallon planted tank with 40 species of tropical fish swimming through driftwood and live plants.

Families choose fishkeeping because the daily care commitment is lighter than a dog or cat. Feed once or twice a day, run a filter, and do a partial water change every week or two. That simplicity makes the hobby popular with apartment dwellers, seniors, and anyone who wants a living focal point without the noise or allergens of a furry companion.

Research from multiple university studies has linked watching fish in an aquarium to lower blood pressure and reduced stress. Pediatric waiting rooms and senior care facilities use aquariums for exactly that reason.

5 Features That Separate Good Pet Fish From Bad Picks

The species you pick determines how much work you’ll do and how long your livestock survives. Look for these five qualities before spending a dollar.

Hardy temperament. Beginner species like the guppy, platy, and molly tolerate a wide range of water conditions. They bounce back from minor mistakes in temperature or pH, which gives new keepers room to learn without losing animals.

Peaceful community behavior. Species that coexist without aggression let you build a mixed community tank. Neon tetra, rasbora, and corydoras school together without nipping fins or claiming territory.

Manageable adult size. Silver dollars and certain pleco species outgrow a smaller tank fast. Always ask about the full adult size before purchasing. A specimen that looks tiny in a store cup may need 50 gallons within a year.

Flexible diet. The best choices accept commercial flake food, small pellet food, and the occasional frozen treat like brine shrimp or bloodworm. Species that demand only live prey cost more and create more mess long term.

Bright colors and active movement. GloFish, dwarf gourami, and cardinal tetra display iridescent hues that turn any setup into a conversation piece. Active swimmers like danio and barb add energy, though they need a larger tank to stay comfortable.

Buying Mistakes That Cost New Fishkeepers the Most

The single most expensive mistake is adding new arrivals to an uncycled aquarium. That error kills more pet fish in the first month than any disease.

Skipping the nitrogen cycle. Beneficial bacteria need at least two weeks to colonize a new filter and break down ammonia. Adding livestock before the cycle finishes causes ammonia to spike, burning gills and often killing everything in the tank within days. Test your water before stocking.

Overstocking. Cramming too many specimens into a small space leads to poor water quality, elevated nitrate levels, and disease outbreaks. A rough rule: one inch of adult body length per gallon of actual water volume. Active species need even more room.

Mixing incompatible species. African cichlids will harass peaceful community members. Male betta fish kept together will fight until one or both are dead. Research temperament before mixing, and never rely on a store employee’s guess.

Ignoring temperature needs. Tropical fish need a heater set between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Coldwater species like goldfish should never share a tank with warm-water neighbors. Mismatched temperatures stress both groups.

Buying feeder-grade stock. Feeder-grade stock is bred for volume, not health. They frequently carry parasites and bacterial infections. Spend the extra dollar on tank-raised stock from a reputable source that offers a live arrival guarantee.

Where to Buy Pet Fish In Store

PetSmart

PetSmart, the national pet retail chain, carries around 138 freshwater varieties in most locations, from basic goldfish to betta and cichlid species. Prices start under a dollar for common feeder types and climb to $15 or more for specialty picks. Staff can check store-level stock online before you drive there, which saves a wasted trip.

Petco

Petco stocks over 200 live fish options in store, including tropical and freshwater fish species. The supply selection covers tanks, filters, heaters, and food, so you can grab everything in one trip. Associates will test your water for free if you bring a sample.

Local Independent Shops

Independent aquarium retailers often carry species you won’t find at chain stores: rare loach varieties, ram cichlids, pearl gourami, and unusual catfish. Owners tend to be experienced aquarists who give hands-on advice about compatibility and care. Call ahead because most local shops don’t list live inventory online.

Specialty Aquarium Stores

Dedicated aquarium shops focus on livestock, live plants, shrimp, and snail species. They typically quarantine new arrivals for one to two weeks before selling, which drastically reduces the chance you bring disease home. If you’re building a planted tank or keeping sensitive species like angelfish or honey gourami, a specialty shop is the safest bet.

Where to Buy Pet Fish Online

Buying live fish online sounds risky, but reputable sellers ship with insulated packaging, heat or cold packs, and a live arrival guarantee that covers losses during transit.

Amazon

Amazon #ad sells live specimens through third-party sellers who ship direct to your door. Most listings include a live arrival guarantee. You can also grab fish food, pellet mixes, and accessories with fast Prime shipping.

Aqua Huna

Aqua Huna specializes in freshwater tropical varieties shipped throughout the US. They stock tetra, guppy, swordtail, and corydoras at competitive prices, with free shipping on qualifying orders. Selection rotates weekly.

Aquatic Arts

Aquatic Arts is popular for live shrimp, snail, and planted tank selections alongside a wide range of freshwater fish for sale. Careful packaging and healthy livestock are their reputation.

Dan’s Fish

Dan’s Fish breeds many varieties in-house, meaning stock is already adapted to standard tap water conditions. They’re well regarded for quality guppy, endler, and shrimp.

The Wet Spot Tropical Fish

The Wet Spot is a Portland-based retailer with one of the largest online selections of aquarium fish. They carry uncommon species like long-fin varieties, tiger barb, and honey gourami alongside everyday community favorites.

Top Picks for Different Buyers

These five species cover most experience levels and tank sizes. Each one is widely available at the retailers listed above.

Best overall: Neon Tetra. Small, peaceful, and inexpensive at around $1 to $3 each. Neon tetra display a bright iridescent blue and red stripe that pops under aquarium lighting. They do best in schools of six or more in a community tank with other peaceful species. Check price on Amazon #ad

Best for beginners: Betta Fish. Siamese fighting fish thrive solo in a smaller setup, eat standard pellet food, and come in dozens of color and fin varieties. Males are territorial with other male bettas but do fine alone or with peaceful tank mates like corydoras. Around $4 to $15 depending on variety. Check price on Amazon #ad

Best for families: Guppy. Hardy, active swimmers that give birth to live young, which fascinates kids. Guppy come in a variety of colors and get along with most companions in a community tank. Around $2 to $5 each. Check price on Amazon #ad

Best for color: GloFish. These are selectively bred to display electric bright colors under blue or UV lighting. They’re perfect for a desktop setup or a child’s room. GloFish varieties include tetra, barb, and danio types, all hardy enough for beginners. Around $6 to $10 each. Check price on Amazon #ad

Best bottom dweller: Cory Catfish. Corydoras are peaceful, hardy catfish that spend their time sifting through substrate, keeping the bottom clean. Best kept in groups of three or more with driftwood and live plants for cover. Around $3 to $8 each. Check price on Amazon #ad

Start with one or two hardy species and a properly cycled tank. Compare prices at your nearest PetSmart or Petco, then check Aqua Huna or Dan’s Fish online if the local selection is limited. Whichever route you choose, the right pet fish can turn any room into a calming, colorful retreat that lasts for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pet fish for beginners?

Betta, guppy, neon tetra, and platy are the most forgiving beginner species. They tolerate a range of water conditions, eat standard flake or pellet food, and don’t require advanced equipment beyond a basic heater and filter.

Which pet fish species lives the longest?

Goldfish can survive 10 to 15 years in a properly maintained aquarium with adequate space and filtration. Certain loach and pleco species also exceed a decade with consistent care. Koi, a close relative of goldfish, can live 25 years or more in a pond.

How much does a pet fish cost?

Common freshwater species like tetra and guppy run $1 to $5 each. Specialty tropical fish and rare cichlid varieties can cost $30 or more. Initial setup costs, including a tank, filter, and heater, typically add $50 to $200 depending on size.

Do pet fish recognize their owners?

Research suggests many aquatic species learn to recognize the person who feeds them. Goldfish and betta often swim to the front of the tank when their owner approaches, responding to familiar faces and feeding routines.

Can pet fish live in tap water?

Most tap water contains chlorine and chloramine that harm aquatic animals. Treat it with a dechlorinator before adding it to your aquarium. Once treated, tap water works well for most common freshwater species.

Do pet fish need light at night?

No. Fish need a regular day and night cycle to stay healthy. Leaving lights on 24 hours causes stress and promotes algae growth. A timer set to 8 to 12 hours of light daily mimics natural conditions and keeps livestock calm.

What do pet fish eat?

Most eat commercial flake or pellet food as a daily staple. Supplement with frozen brine shrimp or bloodworm once or twice a week for variety. Feed only as much as they consume in about two minutes to prevent overfeeding and water quality problems.

Is keeping pet fish ethical?

Responsible fishkeeping, with a properly sized tank, stable water temperature, and appropriate tank mates, provides a safe environment that many species thrive in. Problems arise from neglect: tiny bowls, uncycled water, and incompatible species. The hobby is ethical when the keeper commits to meeting each species’ basic needs.

Reviewed by the wheretobuyguides.com editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.