About
Ken's Tropical Fish has been a fixture in Hammond, Louisiana for well over 15 years, operating as a family-owned shop run by Miss Tammy, whose deep knowledge of freshwater and saltwater fishkeeping has earned her a loyal following across the Tangipahoa Parish area. The store specializes in tropical freshwater fish across a range of sizes and species, with a solid cichlid selection and enough saltwater offerings — including corals, live rock, and marine fish — to serve local reef hobbyists. The shop floor is consistently described as clean and well-maintained, with healthy fish in the tanks and prices noticeably lower than the big-box pet chains.
Beyond livestock, Ken's stocks a respectable lineup of dry goods including heaters, aquarium enclosures, fish food, and other essentials. They also sell RODI water, making it a practical stop for reef keepers who need reliable source water. Live plants like hornwort round out their freshwater inventory.
Miss Tammy's hands-on approach is a defining feature of the experience. Multiple customers recount her walking them through full tank setups, offering her phone number for follow-up questions, and sharing care advice tailored to individual situations. She's clearly passionate about fishkeeping and invested in her customers' success — one reviewer noted she helped them choose exactly what they needed for a first aquarium.
That said, a handful of visitors have found the directness of her style off-putting, so personality fit matters here. The saltwater and coral selection can be inconsistent — some visitors have noted limited inventory that doesn't always rotate as quickly as advertised. If you're specifically after rare or high-end reef stock, you may want to call ahead.
But for freshwater tropicals, reliable supplies, and the kind of personalized guidance that only comes from decades in the hobby, Ken's Tropical Fish remains one of Hammond's most dependable aquarium shops. And if you visit in summer, grab a snowball on the way out — it's become a beloved local tradition.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned shop operated by Miss Tammy for over 15 years
- Strong freshwater tropical and cichlid selection at prices below chain stores
- RODI water available for reef hobbyists
- Personalized tank setup guidance and follow-up support
- Clean, well-maintained store with healthy fish
From keepers
Customer reviews
“definitely the best fish store ive been to. wide selection of healthy fresh and saltwater fish, good prices, the place is clean, and ms tammy, the store owner, is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. not only that, but they sell snowballs in spring and summer. i come here every chance i get”
— Colin Courtney5.0a month ago“While the interaction below did occur, a year or so has gone by and they’ve actually been very helpful. I suppose my first experience was a one off. Changing my initial score from a 1 to a 4 due to the relationship built. First experience, “I was excited to visit the local family owner store as I have recently got into the hobby and needed more RODI water. It was my first time visiting and five minutes upon me walking in I asked the older woman for some assistance. I was not expecting the response and rudeness that followed, she immediately questioned if I had been there before and thought she sold me a fish that died recently. I laughed it off awkwardly and said no ma’am I have not ever visited before and it was my first time here. There was a pause and she left it alone from there but the service that followed that interaction was absolutely horrible. I went to meet the people and to seek their help and knowledge as I’m new into reefing. The older lady refused me service and told me if I wanted to buy anything I could go somewhere else. Doing absolutely nothing to deserve or accept the bombardment of harassment and disrespect, I simply advised I only came to buy RODI water if that was okay. She did sell me that at least and I thanked her for it.“”
— Jude4.0Edited 2 months ago“If you looking for anything fish related, this is the place to go. They've been in business for a long long time and the service is friendly. They could assist you with your questions and help you get the things you need. They sell all fish related items and that's their specialty and only thing they do other than snowballs. The live fish are reasonably priced and are cared for. Respectfully. I highly suggest you buy from this place for your fish supplies rather than some of the large name brands”
— Fuq Yoo5.04 months ago“Been going here for years I love Miss Tammy”
— Christopher Ruffin5.06 months ago“Very nice little pet store with extremely nice helpful stuff. The saltwater selection of coral is not very extensive but the fish are nice and healthy. There’s a nice freshwater, tropical and cichlid selection as well as dry goods.”
— Kyle Landry5.06 months ago“Always nice and knowledgeable”
— jgaines2955.0Edited 7 months ago“Very nice and helpful. Stocked with what I needed. Fish are doing well.”
— Robin Whittington5.08 months ago“Wonderful family owned small business that truly care about their customers. Always a pleasure to do business with.”
— Larkin5.0Edited 8 months ago“Fair prices, good selection of unusual fish & supplies, very helpful staff.”
— Paige Blom5.09 months ago“Whoever says the old lady that works there is nice, must have dealt with someone completely different than me or perhaps she has multiple personalities... I tried to overlook her terrible attitude at first, but I just couldn't take it anymore. I don't understand why or how someone can be so mean to customers for absolutely no reason. I can't figure out who would ever go back there or how a place with such a rude person working stays open. It truly baffles me.”
— Christine Jorden1.09 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (985) 345-8001 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Ken's Tropical Fish.