About
In the tiny town of Thayer, Iowa — a quiet dot on the map south of Des Moines — Fish Fix has earned a reputation that pulls hobbyists in from across Warren County and well beyond. Owners Al and Lisa pack more than 150 tanks into a meticulously kept space, and the first thing most visitors mention is the cleanliness: spotless glass, crystal-clear water, and none of the fishy odor you'd expect from a freshwater fish store this size. Walk in and a big tank of discus greets you near the door, while the shop's resident puffer — a longtime customer favorite — drifts over to follow you from tank to tank.
The selection is what keeps people coming back. Recent visitors describe bringing home healthy Skunk Corydoras and Columbian Tetras, platinum bichirs, zebra pike cichlids, redtail catfish, and a large pleco. Al stocks everything from African cichlids and angelfish to uncommon, hard-to-find freshwater species hobbyists simply can't track down at the Des Moines chains.
One pond keeper drove in because Fish Fix was the only place within 100 miles with goldfish for sale in Thayer, IA. There's also a deep bench of planted-tank supplies, driftwood and hardscape, aquarium equipment, and parasite-free live blackworms for serious fishkeepers. What earns the devotion, though, is the family feel.
Al treats customers like neighbors, happily spending an hour talking fish, helping plan a tank, or tracking down a special order. People drive two and three hours — from Omaha, from across Iowa — and leave already planning the next trip. The store is clean, well organized, and wheelchair accessible.
If you're hunting for rare, healthy freshwater fish near me, this is a destination worth the scenic drive — a shop run by a family who genuinely love the hobby. Plan to stay a while; reviewers say they'd happily pay admission just to wander the tanks.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fish Fix in Thayer, IA
Fish Fix stocks rare and hard-to-find species, cichlids, African cichlids, tetras, catfish, plecos, discus, pufferfish, aquarium plants and freshwater & pond fish for sale in Thayer, IA. As a fish store serving Thayer, IA, it also carries aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Rare SpeciesCichlidsAfrican CichlidsTetrasCatfishPlecosDiscusPuffersGoldfishAngelfishLive PlantsPlanted TanksInvertebratesAquarium EquipmentFish Food
- Services
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- More than 150 immaculately clean freshwater tanks tended by owners Al and Lisa
- A discus welcome tank and a friendly resident puffer that follows visitors around
- Rare, hard-to-find freshwater fish — platinum bichirs, zebra pike cichlids, redtail catfish — at fair prices
- Goldfish often the only source within 100 miles, plus planted-tank supplies, driftwood, and parasite-free live blackworms
- Family-run shop worth the scenic drive from Des Moines, with knowledgeable, welcoming staff
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I have made 2 soon to be 3 lol orders from here and have NOT been disappointed. I purchased months ago for first order n April for my second I think...both beautiful, healthy fish this is 4-6 months later and everyone is still going strong and having babies 🥰. Easy to text one on one when I realized I didn't order enough of specific specifics,a replacement was offered when something else I'd been looking for wasn't available, actually worked out better. Online orders will always cost shipping but compared to dozens of others I checked n added up before finding Fish Fix this was far more affordable and came with tracking details and someone who cared enough to make sure they arrived in a safe weather window! We had a surprise cold front move through but they were on top of it!”
— Elly May5.02 weeks ago“Needed goldfish for our pond. This was the only place within 100 miles that we could find them.”
— C A (Irishgirl)4.03 weeks ago“Went out to fish fix it was crazy good better fish then any store in Des Moines”
— Babus Conrad5.0a month ago“Awesome fish shop, lots of aquariums, and fish. Bought a platinum bichir, and zebra pike cichlid from there last year. Just bought two redtail catfish, and a large pleco today 5-3-2026. Great place and friendly staff!”
— vang family5.0Edited a month ago“The fish arrived on good condition and look great!”
— Michael Rieman5.02 months ago“Wonderful store, knowledgeable staff, very friendly and helpful”
— jessica Fohs5.02 months ago“The best freshwater aquarium store I've found. Great facilities, clean tanks, healthy fish/inverts with a diverse selection, good prices and super friendly owners. I would pay an admission fee just to take a few hours to look through all of their tanks - it is that good.”
— larry bryant5.03 months ago“Well worth the drive! Be prepared to spend time looking at all their fish! One of the largest selections of fish I’ve seen with clean tanks, clean store and knowledgeable people. You are greeted by a very nice tank of discus, to the left is their mascot a nice big puffer that loves to follow you! Amazing selection of fish and all things fishy! Lots of driftwood too! The owners are sweet and very helpful too.”
— Kathy Clark5.04 months ago“A+ experience. I bought 20 fish online to be shipped to PA. The fish I bought are still relatively rare and sought-after, yet the pricing at Fish Fix was very fair. Al communicated with me every step of the way to figure out the best ship date for them to arrive safely. I got them in today and they are stunners. I have some that I aquired from a different seller and the ones that came from Fish Fix were twice the size and more colored up. I am not a novice in the hobby and can tell they were well fed in the 6 months that Fish Fix had them before I bought them. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase from then again should I decide to add more to the school later on! Thank you Al and the rest of the staff.”
— Amanda Bader5.02 weeks ago“Best in the biz! Fish Fix is the real deal. Amazing selection of freshwater fish, the quality of the fish is excellent. A quick scenic drive from Des Moines makes it worth the trip!”
— Danny5.02 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (641) 347-5005 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fish Fix.