About
Emmons Tropical Fish & Ponds has been a Simsbury, CT institution for decades — the kind of densely stocked, hobbyist-run shop that customers describe as the best aquarium store in the area, with several driving 45 minutes to over an hour just to walk the aisles. One recent visitor called it a "local treasure," and another named it the best mom-and-pop aquarium store they'd set foot in over fifty years of fishkeeping. Freshwater is the heart of the place.
The selection runs deep, from pea puffers and corydoras catfish to cichlids, Oscars, monster fish, and the celestial pearl danios (CPDs) one shopper drove in specifically to find. The bettas earn special praise — reviewers call them vibrant, reactive, and a world apart from big-box tanks. If you're hunting freshwater fish for sale in Simsbury, CT, the variety here is hard to beat, and the team will order specific or rarer species on request.
There's a genuine saltwater side too, with corals kept in a well-established reef display alongside salts and supplies. Live plants and shrimp are popular pulls, and staff have helped college students and seasoned aquarists alike plan tanks, choose the right algae eater for a cichlid setup, or diagnose an aquaponics build. Outside, the pond area is a destination of its own.
Big, healthy koi draw steady praise, and you'll find pond plants like water lettuce and water hyacinth available in Simsbury, CT, plus the supplies and hands-on guidance for full backyard koi pond projects. Round it out with live and frozen foods, cultures, Dubia roaches, medications, filtration, décor, and a small, well-kept section of reptiles and small animals in the back. Longtime regulars — some shopping with Jeff, Steve, and the crew for 20-plus years — keep coming back for the same reason newcomers do: knowledgeable, patient help and fish that are visibly well cared for.
For Connecticut aquarists, Emmons is worth the drive.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Emmons Tropical Fish & Ponds in Simsbury, CT
Emmons Tropical Fish & Ponds stocks koi, cichlids, betta fish, pufferfish, corals, shrimp, rare and hard-to-find species, catfish, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Simsbury, CT. As an aquarium store serving Simsbury, CT, it also carries dry goods, aquarium equipment, fish food and fish medications and offers aquarium consultations, pond services and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- KoiCichlidsBettasPuffersCoralsLive PlantsShrimpRare SpeciesCatfishInvertebratesDry GoodsAquarium EquipmentFish FoodMedications
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Deep freshwater selection including pea puffers, corydoras catfish, cichlids, Oscars, monster fish, celestial pearl danios, and vibrant bettas
- Outdoor pond area with big, healthy koi and pond plants like water lettuce and water hyacinth, plus full backyard koi pond guidance
- Well-established saltwater reef display with corals, salts, and supplies
- Live plants, shrimp, live and frozen foods, cultures, and Dubia roaches under one roof
- Knowledgeable hobbyist staff (Jeff, Steve, and crew) who plan tanks, advise on aquaponics, and order specific or rare species on request
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Always amazing service and amazing fish. This is truly the best place around for your aquarium needs.”
— kristoffer hall5.05 hours ago“This was a cool place. Worth the 45 min drive. They had a nice selection, species and size.”
— Damita Santiago5.05 days ago“Knowledgeable and efficient when diagnosing the needs for my aquaponics setup!”
— Jeremy Donnelly5.02 weeks ago“Very knowledgeable and a great selection. Friendly staff”
— Pat Desmond5.0a month ago“The store has a large variety of freshwater fish and a decent assortment of plants, however their prices are about 30-40% higher than elsewhere in the state. The biggest downsides and the reason for 2 stars are they have carpeting on the floor of the store and they sell assorted small rodents. It is difficult to tell if the odor is from the mold/mildew in the carpet or the rodent cages that clearly needed cleaning. Our clothes reeked after visiting for only 15 minutes. Not going back.”
— John Hart2.0a month ago“Amazing place for exotic fish and other pets. Great selection and friendly people. A local treasure.”
— Marc Braun5.0Edited a month ago“Beautiful koi and selection of pond plants.”
— Stacey Munro5.0a month ago“Went on Thursday, employee was super friendly. Told me there wasn’t any water lettuce just yet and to come by Saturday. Went today with my family, and there was two different employees there. I asked about the water lettuce and if my two year old could use the bathroom. No smiles, all he said was “upstairs” , they talked to me like I was an idiot and an inconvenience , no smiles , no friendliness whatsoever , and scoffed at me for not knowing the water hyacinth needed warmer temps. I tried to ask a few questions but it was so obvious that I was inconveniencing them that even when we left, my wife asked why they seemed so standoffish. Was hoping to establish a good relationship with a local pond / fish store but it’s clear they don’t need the extra business or have the time of day to help new customers so I ordered on eBay and won’t be back .”
— S. Youssef1.02 months ago“I love fish and wanted to browse the store because I live in a dorm and can’t have fish, and the staff were so nice! One worker very quickly asked if he could help me find anything, and when I told him I was just looking around because I love fish, he smiled and told me to have fun, which I did! All the fish look very well cared for, they have a great selection, and all the staff seem very knowledgeable! As my boyfriend and I were leaving, the same worker ran out to say thank you and wave goodbye even though we bought nothing! Such a kind man and such a wonderful store! I can’t wait to come back in a couple years and actually buy a fish haha!”
— Brena Hawley5.02 months ago“First time and it was great!”
— Stephen Furman5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (860) 658-5401 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Emmons Tropical Fish & Ponds.