About
Fins 'n Things is the kind of independent, owner-run fish store that small Iowa towns are lucky to keep — a one-person operation packed wall-to-wall with tropical fish, aquarium supplies, and a resident store cat named Zombie that customers genuinely line up to greet. Tucked into an older downtown building in Oskaloosa, it trades big-box polish for the personal touch of a single owner who greets you the moment you walk in and clearly knows his livestock. The freshwater selection is the heart of the shop.
Longtime hobbyists say the tanks look healthy and lived-in — clearly marked, with the kind of natural algae that signals an established system rather than the sterile, stressful setups they fault chain stores for. Reviewers repeatedly note that fish bought here acclimate fast and arrive home thriving, where the ones from an hour-away PetSmart or Petco too often don't survive the trip. You'll find community fish like gouramis, plus snails and other invertebrates, and a real strength in pond stock: goldfish for sale in Oskaloosa, IA in a nice variety of colors at prices customers call unbeatable, making this a go-to for patio-pond setups every spring.
What keeps people coming back for years is the service. The owner is described as friendly, thoughtful, and deeply knowledgeable — he checks his fish daily, stands behind what he sells, and will special-order a fish you don't see in the tanks, usually ready within about a week. Informational signs hung throughout the store explain the animals on display, a thoughtful touch that reflects genuine care.
Beyond aquariums, the shop carries supplies for other pets too, from snakes to rabbits. It's a small, enclosed space doing a lot with one set of hands, and it wears its age honestly. But for Oskaloosa keepers tired of driving to a chain, this local fish store offers healthy livestock, fair prices, and real conversation — and you shouldn't leave without saying hello to Zombie.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fins 'n Things in Oskaloosa, IA
Fins 'n Things stocks goldfish, invertebrates and freshwater & pond fish for sale in Oskaloosa, IA. As a fish store serving Oskaloosa, IA, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Resident store cat named Zombie that customers adore
- Healthy freshwater fish that acclimate well compared to chain-store stock
- Goldfish in a variety of colors for patio ponds at prices customers call unbeatable
- Owner will special-order fish not in the tanks, usually ready within about a week
- Owner-run with friendly, knowledgeable service and informational signage throughout
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place...good prices, the owner is friendly and the cat Zombie, may be the greatest cat on the earth..”
— Allen Baker5.0a week ago“Good place for pond fish.”
— kenneth smith4.0a month ago“(Edit): Owner and I have been messaging and is very thoughtful. He gave me credit for my fish who have passed. The gourami’s infection hit quick, the owner checks on his fish daily and was acting normal then. When I initially walked in, I was pleased. However things took a fast turn when I bought a 8 fish from here. I’ve had two fish die within 48 hours from sickness. I thought it may have been an issue with my set up, when I tested my tank parameters, everything was perfect. I currently have a hospital tank for a gourami fighting an infection.”
— Natalie Burton4.02 months ago“Very pleasant employee”
— Naintara Kay5.02 months ago“Been going for years for aquatic fish. Very friendly and very knowledgeable. You're not limited to what they have in stock at the store because he can order any fish and it'll be there within a week.”
— David Nguyen5.03 months ago“Everything you need and then some”
— Mark Straube4.03 months ago“I don't frequent pet shops but this was a nice experience.”
— Dan Fynaardt4.07 months ago“Great Selection of supplies! Tanks Clearly marked and clean. Purchased some fish a couple of months ago and all are thriving!!”
— Laura and Shawn Richmond5.09 months ago“We came here recently for a fish. While the store is small, they had so much in there. As a long-time aquarium keeper, I thought the tanks looked healthy. There should be some algae in healthy tanks. What you see at the big box pet stores is not healthy, which is why you frequently see dead fish! All of the animals looked cared for. It smelled like a typical pet store. I appreciated the many informationals hanging around the store about the fish and other animals. My fish and snail acclimated very quickly to my tank and didn't seem as traumatized as the ones I get from places like petsmart/petco, which die frequently in the transition and I continually have to drive an hour to have replaced. The employee was friendly and helpful. We will be back! Thanks!”
— savants085.010 months ago“Just checked out this place for the first time, was greeted by my new best friend. Such a friendly cat 😺 I may say. The owner greeted me as soon as I walked in the door. I seen a lot of reviews on here talking about the way it looked and smelled but to be honest it's an old building and the tanks aren't brand new. For the smell what do you expect when you visit a small enclosed building with animals and lots of tanks. The store had plenty to offer, lots to look at. I would definitely come back here for my bunny needs and just to look at all the animals. Let's all please be adults and support small businesses trying there hardest as one person doing it all. Your only one person don't let anyone bring you down, you can only try your best and I see all the hard work put into keeping this place open and we'll cared for to the best of your ability.”
— Mikayla Cooper5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (641) 672-2964 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fins 'n Things.