About
Something Fishy is a family-owned fish store along Highway 52 just outside Dubuque, Iowa, and a regular stop for eastern Iowa hobbyists looking for freshwater tropical fish for sale in Dubuque, IA. The shop bills itself as the area's only non-chain fish store, and its stock leans freshwater. Reviewers describe a wide variety of healthy fish in clean tanks, with tetras, green tiger barbs and Siamese flying fox among the fish shoppers have bought or spotted.
Koi are also available, and the store carries pond supplies and accessories alongside its aquarium stock. Beyond livestock, Something Fishy sells aquarium equipment, lighting, fish food and general supplies, and recent shoppers praise its selection of dry goods. When a fish or product isn't in the tanks or on the shelves, the store says it can usually bring in specialty items and fish, and a recent reviewer notes it can track down fish that are hard to find at other shops.
One longtime customer credits the store's own tropical fish food with a clear improvement in their fish's health and behavior. The staff is the main reason people make the drive. Reviewers consistently describe knowledgeable, patient and personable help, from acclimation and tank setup tips to advice on which fish suit an existing tank.
Several reviewers name Madison for her patience with long lists of questions, and one family booked a consultation before setting up their first tank. The store will also decline to sell certain fish when a customer's setup isn't right for them, and one hobbyist who switched from a big-box store reports far fewer losses since. Shoppers mention good fish prices, and some say they have bought fish and accessories here for about five years.
A few practical notes for planning a visit: the aquarium shop sits a little off the beaten path, and visitors say to keep driving past the winery to find it on the left. The driveway is steep, so one recent reviewer suggests skipping the trip on snowy or icy days. For anyone in the Dubuque area building or restocking a freshwater aquarium, Something Fishy is well worth the visit.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Something Fishy in Dubuque, IA
Something Fishy stocks tetras, koi and freshwater & pond fish for sale in Dubuque, IA. As a fish store serving Dubuque, IA, it also carries aquarium equipment, fish food and dry goods and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Wide variety of healthy freshwater tropical fish, including tetras
- Can usually bring in specialty fish and items on request
- Aquarium equipment, lighting, fish food and supplies
- Patient, knowledgeable staff who match fish to your setup
- Koi plus pond supplies and accessories
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Not a bad spot to buy fish can't waite to see once they get it moved into a bigger location or at least more room plus they do or can find some fish that you can't find in other places so fingers crossed I'll be getting mine in soon.”
— Richard Storms4.02 months ago“Worth checking out, the staff was very friendly, super personable. Good selection of fish and try goods. I wouldn't recommend visiting on a snowy/icy day. The driveway is very steep.”
— jake doudney5.03 months ago“I have been purchasing fish and accessories for anout 5 years from them, always good service and great selection. Support small businesses owners and give them a try.”
— NowThats Cooking5.04 months ago“Super knowledgeable and great fish prices. Will definitely be back again!”
— Dustin Scott5.04 months ago“Big waste of time. Called asked if they had saltwater fish for sale. They said yes. Drove 80 miles found the fish i wanted asked for price she gave it to me. I said ok ill take it. She then said oh I cant catch any of the saltwater fish. Why say you have them for sale and waste people's time hell even give them a price if you are just going to say oh we cant catch any of them. Didn't even try”
— Scott Hanson1.0a week ago“It's a treat going here. The staff are well educated if you have questions. Healthy fish with a wide variety”
— Tonya Bartels5.0a week ago“Best fish store in the area and you really cant beat the customer service. Im so thankful to have them in town”
— Ty Bailey5.02 months ago“Knowledgeable staff.”
— Jane5.05 months ago“Horrible business ethics, terrible customer service and communication. Your understanding of your own products is lacking. Marimo moss balls can live up to a WEEK outside water, but alas im out of town about a month. If anyone needs reference, contact me. I have proof I ordered on the 20th (page says ships within one day, mind you.) Owner claims to have shipped by 24th and was late because of heat (zero communication though they said they attempted to email, I monitor spam closely when waiting for online products.) Shipping records and manifest show label wasn't created until the 26th and ups didn't receive item until 26th. I attempted a cancelation on the 24th to get my money back. Cancelation request was denied and item was shipped 2 days after cancelation request. I presented proof of the actions and reiterated numerous times the same point with the same pictures, but owner is too dense to comprehend what they were looking at. I ordered on June 20th. It was a Friday. This is how competent they are. Just for reference, I made another order from a different seller, they stated it would ship the 21st and the shipping label was created today (the 21st). Shipping labels are created the day of shipping, not AFTER like you claim yours was. And no, you did not contact me in any way, shape, or form. No emails, no messages in the ebay messages area. Nothing. Keep trying to look good, its hilarious to someone like me who KNOWS you're lying. Rip off artist. Keep editing your responses, I can do this all day.”
— Chris Martin1.0Edited 6 months ago“Staff is nice. Would have talked longer but I did need to go.”
— David “Dert” Weydert4.06 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call +1 563-552-7206 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Something Fishy.