About
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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Bettas kept in proper tanks — no betta cups
- Impressive planted tank displays and live plant selection
- Staff won't sell animals unless buyer is prepared to care for them
- Customers drive 90+ minutes based on reputation alone
- Exceptionally clean tanks and enclosures noted by nearly every reviewer
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place ! Reptile section has a great variety.”
— John Moch5.0a day ago“All tanks clean very knowledgeable about all pets in the store and even gave good advice on keeping fish”
— phillip haberle5.06 days ago“Great experience buying our fish here! Healthy fish and lots of local freshwater options. Knowledgeable and friendly staff!”
— Patrick Ames5.06 days ago“I came in with a beautiful chiclid I got when I bought an aquarium on line. I wanted a community tank but he was large and king of his domain. They happily took him for me and helped me find community fish. The staff where very friendly. I drove an hour and half because of the reviews I read. It was wroth it. I will return when Mt tank it ready for a couple more fish.”
— Luna Ford5.03 weeks ago“Most clean and caring pet store I’ve been to, definitely worth a stop!”
— Emerson Lindsay5.03 weeks ago“Best pet store in the Augusta / Waterville area. Do not get your fish or fish supplies anywhere else!”
— Travis Jorge5.0a month ago“Great service lots of little pets from fish to birds to reptiles”
— Jason Culpovich5.0a month ago“Such a good pet store. The owners are the nicest people and their employees follow suit. The store is always neat and clean. They care very much about every animal and won’t sell you one if you’re not ready to care for it. Definitely the place to shop for your pets.”
— Domanic Golder5.02 months ago“I absolutely love this place wish it was a little lower in price however still love it”
— Kayla Boivin5.02 months ago“I was overcharged by $1 for all 8 tetras I bought, which isn't a huge deal, that's something I would normally shrug off, but they all got ich almost immediately and died, and spread it to all but one other fish in my tank. They also don't sell any good aquarium vacuums. Just those cheap pump ones... Which they were charging $35 dollars more for than at Petco.”
— T L1.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (207) 859-3000 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fish Tails Pet Emporium.