Pet Express Inc.

Pet Express Inc. in Houma, Louisiana is a small, independent pet store that stocks both saltwater and freshwater fish alongside a range of other pets and supplies. It's the kind of place where you'll likely deal directly with one of the owners — for better or worse, as several reviews attest.

The store carries an assortment of unique fish and creatures that you won't typically find at big-box retailers, and they also stock freshwater plants for planted tank enthusiasts. One reviewer recounted starting a saltwater tank with almost no experience and credited the owner with walking them through the entire setup process in detail — explaining equipment, livestock, and maintenance with genuine enthusiasm. That kind of hands-on guidance from someone who clearly knows their animals is a real asset in a region where specialty aquarium shops are few and far between.

Multiple reviewers describe the fish tanks as clean and the fish as healthy-looking, and the store has a lived-in charm: a cat roaming the aisles, a beloved bird, and an atmosphere that feels distinctly mom-and-pop. That said, the experience here can be inconsistent. Some customers have reported abrupt or dismissive phone interactions, particularly when calling about pricing or plant inventory — a frustration for anyone driving 45 minutes or more across Terrebonne Parish.

A few reviews mention cleanliness concerns and one described flooding near the aquarium section. The store clearly has passionate ownership but the customer service can swing between deeply helpful and surprisingly curt. For Houma-area hobbyists looking for saltwater and freshwater livestock, live plants, and personalized advice on tank setup, Pet Express offers something the chain stores simply can't: real expertise and unusual stock.

Just plan to visit in person rather than calling ahead — you'll likely get a much better experience face-to-face with the owners and their menagerie.