About
" Owner Bruce and his crew have spent more than 30 years turning a modest storefront into a genuine Four Corners destination, where enclosures framed in steampunk-style wood and gears sit beside a riparian saltwater tank planted with tiny mangroves. Plenty of regulars come just to walk the aisles; one recent visitor drives all the way from Pagosa simply for the supplies. Freshwater is the heart of the shop, with a deep, healthy selection of tropical fish, fancy goldfish, bettas, and live aquatic plants for sale in Durango, CO.
The saltwater side is smaller but punches well above its weight — shoppers single out the "reef game," with beautiful corals and anemones on display and a resident betta reported to be more than seven years old. Because the store keeps marine livestock and reef inverts, it reads as a true aquarium store rather than a simple fish counter, and the display tanks alone are worth the drive. Fish Connection doubles as an exotic-animal stop, too, with snakes, lizards, geckos, amphibians, and arachnids housed in carefully monitored bioactive terrariums, alongside terrarium plants, feeder insects, and snake food.
The staff are the most-praised part of every visit. Recent customers describe being greeted with smiling faces and walking out "set up for success" — one family says the weekend crew helped them build a proper habitat for their Razorback Musk turtles, and longtime regulars name Summer for her patient, knowledgeable guidance. Pricing on some dry goods and feeders runs higher than the big-box options, a fair trade-off in a mountain town with no real competition.
For aquarium and reptile keepers hunting for healthy livestock and honest expertise near me in Durango, CO, this is the shop locals plan their week around.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fish Connection in Durango, CO
Fish Connection stocks goldfish, betta fish, corals, reef fish, anemones, African cichlids, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Durango, CO. As an aquarium store serving Durango, CO, it also carries dry goods and offers aquarium consultations, aquarium setup and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned for over 30 years and a true Four Corners destination — customers drive in from as far as Pagosa
- Steampunk-style display tanks plus a riparian saltwater tank planted with live mangroves
- Deep freshwater selection (tropical fish, fancy goldfish, bettas, live plants) alongside a small but striking reef section with corals and anemones
- Exotic livestock too: snakes, lizards, geckos, amphibians, and arachnids in bioactive terrariums, with feeder insects and snake food
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff (Summer often named) who help build setups — from planted tanks to a Razorback Musk turtle habitat
From keepers
Customer reviews
“This place is amazing! The staff is so knowledgeable, and they have an incredible selection on fish. The reptiles are healthy and well kept. I highly recommend Fish Connection. I’ve been using them for years now, and travel all the way from Pagosa just for their supplies.”
— Denise Meyer5.0a week ago“The minute you walked in, you were greeted with smiley. Faces, people were very knowledgeable, very friendly. I would go back”
— Penni Vongedda5.0a month ago“The ladies that were working over the weekend were wonderful! They helped us build our Razorback Musk Turtles a new habitat! They help us set us up for success and now the turtles are living their best life!”
— Kylie Rivera5.0a month ago“The condition they keep their betas in is absolutely horrible. While the water may be clean, there in 8oz (at most) glasses literally drinking glasses . It’s really terrible to see another pet store that doesn’t care about the animals well-being…”
— ryn poole2.02 months ago“I love it here!”
— Parker5.02 months ago“The Fish Connection is a great little store! Much more is going on in there than you would think by looking at the storefront. They have tons of freshwater creatures, and their reef game is pretty amazing. It's like a Marine and reptile zoo, a pleasure to simply go in there and observe. Beautiful corals and anemones, and they even have one Betta that's more than seven years old. It's not very active! They have various snakes, lizards, and Geckos. Cute store, friendly and helpful staff. I highly recommend that place.”
— shane medlin5.04 months ago“Good selection of fish of all kinds, nice and helpful employees, most of them. Awesome display tanks/setups.. Their African Cichlid selection is lacking. Fun place to visit.”
— Preston StPierre4.0a week ago“Great little aquarium shop packed to the gills with critters and supplies!”
— Jenner Johnson5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Having been a staple for over 30 years, they truly know their stuff and have an incredible selection. It's rare to find a shop that houses healthy looking animals across the board, (reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, fish, etc.) Their environments are all carefully monitored and maintained. It's locally owned and far more knowledgeable than any big-box pet store. Easily the best in the region.”
— Destany Gaudet5.0a month ago“Great place to buy fish if you can get anyone to help you. Customer service is awful.”
— Amiee Kibel3.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (970) 259-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fish Connection.