Danbury Aquarium and supplies

Danbury Aquarium and Supplies is a small, owner-operated fish shop in Danbury, Connecticut, run by Enio Albuquerque, who has built a loyal local following around his deep knowledge of cichlids. The store's strongest suit is its cichlid selection — peacock cichlids, saulosi, Red Devils, Jaguars, convicts, salvinis, jewel cichlids, and blood parrots are all mentioned by customers, spanning both South American and African species. Reviewers consistently praise the vibrancy and coloring of the fish, with one buyer noting a school of 10 saulosi arrived with vivid colors and a perfect survival rate.

Beyond cichlids, the shop stocks plecos (including Blue Phantom and Golden Nugget varieties), plants for planted aquariums setups, and general aquarium supplies. Enio is clearly the heart of the operation. Repeat customers speak warmly about his willingness to troubleshoot tank issues, offer care instructions, and provide hands-on guidance for planted tank setups.

His pricing draws favorable comparisons to other shops, and several reviewers mention receiving bonus fish with their orders — a small touch that builds goodwill. The store does ship fish, and when shipping goes well, customers report careful packaging with heat warmers and detailed acclimation instructions. However, the shipping and online ordering experience is where Danbury Aquarium draws its sharpest criticism.

Multiple reviewers describe extended delays on pre-orders, difficulty reaching the store by phone, text, or email, and frustrating communication gaps when orders go sideways. One customer waited three months for a pre-order that never arrived; another waited six weeks for a pleco with minimal updates. Refund processes have also been problematic for some buyers.

For local customers who can visit in person, the experience tends to be much more positive — Enio's expertise, fair pricing, and personal attention shine through in face-to-face interactions. The in-store selection of freshwater species, particularly cichlids, is genuinely impressive for a shop of this size. Just be cautious with online or shipped orders, and clarify the store's fish guarantee policy (currently a two-hour window) before purchasing.