Tucked down a dirt road in Bucksport, Maine, Vance's Tropical Fish & Exotic feels like stumbling into a Caribbean outpost in rural New England. Owner Vance has built something truly special here — a packed, passionate fish shop where the parking lot fills up minutes after opening on a Sunday morning, and customers drive 45 minutes or more just to browse his latest arrivals.
The store carries both freshwater and saltwater fish in impressive variety. Reviewers mention everything from goldfish to clownfish to exotic species they'd never encountered in a store before, including a fascinating mud skipper tank that Vance keeps as one of his personal display setups. Corals, live rock, clams, and live plants round out the livestock selection, and Vance will place custom orders for anything he doesn't have in stock. One long-time customer proudly shared a giant clam purchase that made their 55-gallon saltwater tank pop.
What sets Vance's apart is the man himself. Customers describe him as endlessly patient, willing to multitask between helping a newcomer set up their first saltwater tank and assembling an order for a returning hobbyist — all while sharing decades of fishkeeping knowledge. He'll send you home with a bag of supplies and an open invitation to call with questions. His fish arrive healthy and stay healthy, a point made repeatedly across reviews spanning years of purchases.
The atmosphere is part of the draw. Vance's Hawaiian shirts match the tropical vibe inside, and vintage pinball machines sit alongside rows of stunning display tanks. Multiple reviewers describe the feeling of being transported somewhere warm and exotic the moment they step through the door. It's a sensory experience that big-box pet stores simply cannot replicate.
If you're anywhere in Maine and keeping an aquarium — freshwater or saltwater — Vance's is worth the drive. Just double-check the hours before you go, as they occasionally shift without notice online.
Fish Tails Pet Emporium in Waterville, Maine has built a devoted following across central Maine — and beyond. Customers routinely drive an hour or more to visit, drawn by word-of-mouth praise for the store's outstanding animal care and deeply knowledgeable staff. Walk in and you'll immediately notice how clean every tank and enclosure is, a detail reviewers mention again and again.
The freshwater fish selection is a major draw. Tropical freshwater species, community fish, cichlids, and tetras fill well-maintained tanks alongside beautiful planted displays. One customer came in with a large cichlid that had outgrown its welcome in a community setup, and staff member Warren — frequently praised by name — helped them rehome it and select suitable replacements. That kind of hands-on, personalized guidance defines the Fish Tails experience.
One detail that earns particular affection from the aquarium community: no betta cups. Bettas here swim in proper tanks alongside other fish, receiving the same level of care as everything else in the store. It's a small thing that speaks volumes about the owners' philosophy. The live plant selection also draws praise, with several reviewers highlighting the planted tanks as a standout feature.
Beyond fish, Fish Tails stocks a surprisingly wide range of reptiles, birds, small mammals, and invertebrates — including tarantulas and uromastyx lizards. The staff provides educational information on every animal, and they won't sell you a pet if they don't believe you're prepared to care for it properly. Multiple reviewers describe this as the first pet store where the animals genuinely look happy.
The supply inventory covers freshwater fishkeeping essentials along with products for reptiles, birds, and small animals. Prices run slightly higher than big-box competitors, but customers consistently say the quality of livestock, the health of the animals, and the expertise of the staff justify the premium. For freshwater fishkeepers in the Augusta-Waterville corridor, this locally owned shop has become the definitive destination.
Despite its name, The Fish & Bone in Portland, Maine is not an aquarium shop — it's a beloved pet supply store focused squarely on dogs and cats, situated in the heart of one of New England's most walkable, pet-friendly cities. The name might conjure images of tanks and fins, but what you'll find inside is a thoughtfully curated selection of high-quality pet foods, unique enrichment toys, raw diet options, and locally sourced treats that keep Portland's dog and cat owners coming back.
The store's signature feature is its doggie snack bar — an impressive spread of premium chews and nibbles available by weight, with pre-bagged options for small-dog owners who don't want to commit to oversized portions. They carry brands like Skout's Honor (their skunk wash is a local favorite) and stock a range of natural and raw foods, including BARF diet products for owners pursuing that nutritional path.
What truly sets The Fish & Bone apart is its staff. Denna, Shannon, Stephanie, Jack, Claire, and V are mentioned by name again and again in reviews, each praised for taking a genuinely consultative approach. When a customer needed help managing a cat's urinary issues post-surgery, Shannon and Stephanie provided informed dietary guidance. When an out-of-town visitor arrived with a terminally ill dog needing a cooling vest, Jack and Claire dropped everything to find the right fit. V impressed retail veterans with her thoughtful questioning and product knowledge.
The store also supports local animal shelters and rescue organizations, reinforcing its roots in the Portland community. The atmosphere is dog-friendly — bring your pup along while you browse the clean, attractively displayed aisles. From freeze-dried sweet potatoes that dogs apparently go absolutely wild for, to enrichment toys you won't find anywhere else, The Fish & Bone delivers a shopping experience that feels personal, knowledgeable, and unmistakably Portland.
Easy Aquariums in Westbrook, Maine has built a loyal following over the years, earning its reputation as the go-to independent aquarium and reptile shop in the southern Maine area. The store stocks both freshwater and saltwater fish alongside a selection of live plants, reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard geckos, blue tongue skinks, and snakes, plus a solid inventory of filters, foods, and other supplies.
The freshwater section is where Easy Aquariums shines brightest. Reviewers consistently praise the health and variety of their fish — from double fin bettas to specific breeds available at reasonable prices. Their live plant selection draws planted tank enthusiasts, though some customers have noted they'd love to see more foreground carpeting species like dwarf sagittaria added to the lineup. The store also accepts special orders for hard-to-find fish, which is a significant draw for hobbyists who can't find what they want at chain stores.
Staff member Larissa gets singled out repeatedly as an exceptional resource, earning what one reviewer called "six gold stars" for her knowledge and care. The team in general is frequently praised for being genuinely helpful — the kind of people who will talk you through bearded dragon husbandry over the course of a year or pre-socialize a blue tongue skink before it goes home with a new owner.
The saltwater section features corals and marine fish, with high-end lighting equipment like Kessil and AI fixtures installed on tanks, though some visitors have noted the coral selection and tank maintenance could use more attention. The store has undergone renovations and overhauls in recent times, suggesting the team is actively investing in improvements.
For aquarists in the greater Portland and Westbrook area who want an alternative to big-box pet retailers, Easy Aquariums offers something chain stores simply can't — staff who remember your name, the ability to special order specific species, and the kind of hands-on guidance that keeps fish thriving well past their expected lifespans. The prices are fair, the fish are healthy, and the passion behind the operation is evident.
Tucked into Topsham, Maine, Corals Unlimited has built a reputation that extends well beyond New England — and for good reason. Owner Jeff runs a tight operation where coral health isn't just a selling point, it's immediately visible. Walk into the store and you'll notice acropora frags with fully extended polyps sitting in the frag tanks, a level of care that many hobbyists struggle to achieve in their own display systems. That attention to husbandry speaks volumes about the water quality and dedication behind the scenes.
Saltwater reef keepers are the primary audience here, and the coral selection is frequently cited as the best in Maine. Duncans, acros, and a rotating variety of frags and colonies fill the tanks, all maintained to a standard that makes buying with confidence easy. But Corals Unlimited isn't exclusively a saltwater shop — freshwater hobbyists will find a solid range of supplies, including Aquarium Co-Op products, which gives planted tank and community fish enthusiasts a reason to stop in too.
Jeff's services go well beyond retail. He's handled full tank installations, including assembling a Red Sea 350 setup at a client's office — everything from building the rockscape to dialing in water parameters before introducing livestock. He also provides ongoing weekly maintenance, ensuring tanks stay in showcase condition. For those who want a beautiful reef without the learning curve of managing one solo, this is a genuine turnkey option.
The store's reach has grown significantly through Jeff's podcast, Mad Hatters Reef, which has cultivated a loyal following of reef hobbyists nationwide. Corals Unlimited ships livestock across the country, with reviewers from as far as Indiana reporting corals arriving healthy and opening up within days. Live sale events add another dimension, giving remote customers a chance to pick corals in real time.
With competitive pricing on equipment, deeply healthy livestock, and a willingness to handle everything from a nano setup to a full office installation, Corals Unlimited earns its loyal following one frag at a time.
Tucked away in Fairfield, Maine, AquaCorals Reef Aquariums has built a devoted following among saltwater hobbyists across the country — largely through its online coral store and the tireless dedication of owner Penny. This is primarily an e-commerce operation specializing in soft corals, and reviewers consistently describe receiving specimens that dwarf what other vendors offer at comparable prices. Toadstools, gorgonians, weeping willows, cabbage sinularia, and finger leathers arrive as small colonies rather than tiny frags, already mounted on chunks of live rock instead of standard frag plugs.
The packaging is a recurring point of praise: corals triple- or quadruple-bagged, sealed in well-insulated boxes with heat packs that stay warm even during Maine winters. Multiple buyers report opening their shipments to find crystal-clear water and corals that open up within an hour of being placed in the tank. One long-time customer shared photos of seven leather corals purchased from AquaCorals, all thriving and growing rapidly despite admittedly inconsistent husbandry — a testament to the health of the livestock leaving Penny's facility.
What truly sets AquaCorals apart is Penny's hands-on approach to customer care. She coordinates shipping around buyers' schedules, delays orders when weather conditions threaten livestock safety, follows up after delivery to confirm acclimation went smoothly, and even includes handwritten notes with orders. Several reviewers who have purchased from numerous online reef vendors describe this as the best experience they've had in the hobby. Her willingness to offer acclimation advice and coral care guidance makes first-time online coral buyers feel supported.
The selection leans heavily toward soft corals, including hard-to-find varieties, making AquaCorals a destination for reef keepers building soft coral displays. A couple of in-person visitors reported less favorable experiences, but the overwhelming consensus from online buyers is that the coral quality, generous sizing, pest-free livestock, and personal service make this a standout saltwater coral vendor worth ordering from repeatedly.
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Maine Pet & Aquarium in Ellsworth has been a staple of the Downeast Maine pet community for over fifteen years, earning loyal customers through genuine expertise and personal attention. This family-run store operates as a full-service pet shop covering dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, and fish — but it's the aquarium section that sets it apart from your typical pet supply outlet.
The owner's passion for fishkeeping is evident the moment you walk in. One family came in looking for a simple fish for their daughter and left with a fully functional aquarium setup — complete with water treatments, quality filters, and pumps — after the owner walked them through proper tank care from scratch. Those fish became a focal point of their living room, which says something about the guidance they received. A visiting customer from Richmond, Virginia spotted healthy black Cory catfish at prices good enough to justify buying thirteen of them, and staff helped package the fish for a seventeen-hour car ride home — all thirteen survived the trip.
The freshwater fish selection is modest but well-maintained, and there are saltwater display tanks on site, though those appear to be the owner's personal collection rather than retail stock. The real draw is the knowledgeable staff who can steer you toward the right equipment and care regimen. They'll also special order items on request, which matters in a smaller market like Ellsworth where inventory can occasionally rotate.
Beyond aquatics, the store carries a solid range of reptile supplies — bearded dragon owners are particularly loyal customers — plus bird accessories, frozen feeders for snakes, and a competitive dog supply section with specialty products and treats. There's even a fenced outdoor area where dogs can run around. Weekly deals and buyer programs keep regular customers coming back, and the staff has a reputation for honest, pressure-free advice that prioritizes animal welfare over the sale.
Tucked inside a fading mall in Bangor, Maine, Pet Pro is a family-owned pet store that has quietly built a devoted following among fishkeepers across the state — some driving two or three hours just to stock their tanks. Owner Alex runs a tight operation with a team that includes the much-praised employee Ros, and together they've cultivated a reputation for genuinely caring about the animals that leave their doors.
The freshwater and saltwater fish selection draws the most attention. Reviewers consistently describe healthy, vibrant stock, and the store carries species that challenge even experienced hobbyists — one customer noted success with "very hard to raise fish" thanks to the staff's careful packaging with extra water and air for long transport home. That kind of attention to detail extends to their quarantine and treatment practices; the store treats incoming animals before they hit the sales floor, a practice that separates serious fish shops from the rest.
Beyond livestock, Pet Pro stocks spider wood, driftwood, and a solid range of aquarium supplies and fish food. They also carry Fromm dog and cat food, and the store features small mammals, birds, and reptiles. The supply selection, while constrained by the store's modest footprint, is curated — multiple reviewers get the impression Alex has personally tested every product on his shelves before offering it to customers.
What truly sets Pet Pro apart is the consultation. A new tank owner called in a panic about ich and spiking nitrites and walked away with advice that saved nearly every fish. The owner has been known to recommend buying less if that's genuinely what's best for the customer. That kind of honesty builds the trust that keeps people coming back for over a decade.
The store isn't without its critics — some find the space cluttered and wish for cleaner tanks — but for Maine fishkeepers seeking real expertise and healthy livestock, Pet Pro in Bangor delivers something the big-box stores simply cannot.
