About
Just Fish in Bear, Delaware is a long-running, family-operated tropical fish store that elicits strong opinions from its customers — and for good reason. The shop stocks a genuinely impressive variety of freshwater, saltwater, and pond fish, along with live plants, shrimp (cherry and neocaridina varieties), puffers (including avocado and porcupine puffers), and small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. Several reviewers note the selection is one of the best in the Bear area, and regulars praise the staff — particularly owner Carleen — for being knowledgeable and patient, taking time to help families pick compatible fish for community tanks and educating newer hobbyists on proper care.
The store also serves as a rescue operation, taking in animals whose owners can no longer care for them, which earns it genuine loyalty from a segment of its customer base. Longtime visitors appreciate its small-business character and community involvement, including donations and animal rescues. However, Just Fish is a polarizing destination.
A significant number of reviewers raise serious concerns about store cleanliness and animal welfare. Complaints about algae-coated tanks, visible fish diseases like ich, dead fish in displays, and cramped enclosures for larger specimens like koi appear repeatedly. Some customers have reported outdated supplements on shelves and an overwhelming ammonia smell.
The store's lack of any health guarantee on purchased animals is another sticking point, especially given the higher-than-average pricing — honey gouramis at $15 and single neocaridina shrimp at $10-12 have raised eyebrows. For planted tank enthusiasts, the live plant selection is a draw, and those who've purchased cherry shrimp and plants report good results in their home aquariums. The freshwater selection remains the store's strongest suit.
If you visit, come prepared: many experienced fishkeepers recommend quarantining any purchases. Just Fish has the bones of a great local fish store — deep inventory, passionate ownership, decades of experience — but the inconsistent upkeep makes every visit something of a gamble.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Wide selection spanning freshwater, saltwater, and pond fish
- Family-run store with decades of experience in Bear, Delaware
- Live plants and cherry shrimp available for planted tank hobbyists
- Rescues and rehomes animals from owners who can no longer care for them
- Staff takes time to help customers choose compatible fish for community tanks
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Love this place. Very knowledgeable”
— The “Midatlantica”4.0a week ago“Exelwnte lugar”
— Arnardo Velez5.02 weeks ago“Great staff. Each of my family members wanted to pick their own fish and they helped us ensure that our fish selections could be in the same tank. Great variety of fish. The store has saltwater, freshwater, and even pond fish or supplies.”
— Brittnee Baker5.03 weeks ago“Great selection. The owners are very helpful, friendly and patient.”
— Regina Brown5.0a month ago“Store is very old and run down. Fish are kept in very unhealthy, and unkept tanks. Supplements and additives that I Was looking for were on the shelves out of date, some by more than a year.”
— Big J2.0a month ago“You can tall that it's been there a while the fish tanks had a lot of algae but the fish were healthy and the prices very reasonable.”
— Luis Valenzuela4.02 months ago“I've had really good experiences at this store. The staff is really knowledgeable and helpful. It's family run, small business. You can tell they have been at this for a long time. We are there a couple of times a week for crickets for our tiny frog (which you can only seem to get a chain stores otherwise). It's much better priced, and I learned a TON in my first few visits because they actually asked me questions. That's service I definitely didn't receive at other places. They are very friendly. They help the community in a bunch of ways - donating, taking in rescues, etc. I'm more than happy to support small businesses in our community.”
— Cheryl McClea5.02 months ago“This place needs to be inspected by (DAS) Delaware Animal Services. First walking in your greeted clutter and filth. Almost all of the fish tanks are covered in fish waste and sludge.(not algae, sludge). As a fish tank owner, I bet those systems haven't been cleaned in months! Within these dirty tanks (the ones you can actually see through), have sick fish, fish with ich, and sunken belly disease along with dead fish, and again mounds of fish waste. Just as an example the poor little avocado puffer on the bottom row was covered in ich spots. This is just one example. The porcupine puffer on the saltwater side was gasping for help on his side. Other dead fish scattered the aisles. On the other side of the store, you see filthy bird cages, and even a cage full of Love Birds on the ground? Cages need to be fully cleaned and cages need toys and entertainment. Next to them a poor little bunny, laying in his filthy cage,(which yes I know bunnies and parrots are messy) but still this was different. Bugs were literally flying around the bunny’s tank with him. It Just seems like employees don’t care. I’m not trying to hate on this small business, and I’ve given it many chances, but the store continues to be run poorly. Clearly animals are suffering and are in need of better care which they are not getting. Overall this place has potential, the staff is generally nice and they do have a good selection of animals. It’s simply the care and cleanliness that is lacking. Buying from here only supports this kind of neglect and lack of care. If you’re thinking of buying a fish I STRONGLY recommend quarantining it, as it’s bound to have something. Once again I’m here leaving a honest review because I care about these animals and I wish the management cared as much as the customers like myself do. There are countless similar reviews like mine, and nothings changed. I really think this place needs to be looked and have their operations inspected, or get new ownership. I really think we should all look for a new place to shop. (I wish PetKare 2 was still open).”
— Aiden Kurych2.02 months ago“If I could give this place zero stars, I would. They neglect and abuse their animals, there is a big koi fish who's been there for 6 months or more. In a tank the size of his length. He furiously and constantly turns from side to side because he can't swim if he wanted to, I asked this lady why this big fish was in such a small tank and she said he's in quarantine, we'll im pretty sure quarantine doesn't last that long. The animals conditions are horrible, their is 2 bunnies who have been there forever in a relatively small tank. These people are horrible, dead fish on the floors, the smell of pee when you walk in. horrible place”
— Ruth Thomas1.02 months ago“Had a huge selection of fish! Wish the pricing was more affordable. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff”
— will newman III4.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (302) 836-8250 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Just Fish.