About
Uncle Ned's Fish Factory in Millis, Massachusetts is a family-owned tropical fish store run by brothers who have clearly poured decades into the freshwater hobby. Walking inside on a cold New England day, the warm, humid air and rows upon rows of clean tanks create an immediate sense of escape. This isn't a sterile retail experience — it's an old-school fish shop where the owners have forgotten more about fishkeeping than most of us will ever learn.
The freshwater selection is genuinely impressive and arguably the best in Massachusetts. Cichlid enthusiasts will find everything from large peacock cichlids to small apistos, while community tank keepers can browse through schools of cardinal tetras, strawberry rasboras, pygmy corydoras, skunk corys, and guppies. Nano fish lovers are well served here too, with enough variety to fully stock a small planted tank in one visit.
The store also carries a solid range of live aquatic plants and the supplies needed to build a proper aquascape. For pond keepers, Uncle Ned's stocks koi, goldfish, and pond plants, though one reviewer documented serious issues with koi health — a cautionary note worth considering if you're shopping for outdoor fish. The indoor tropical fish, by contrast, consistently earn praise for arriving home healthy and thriving.
One of the most valuable perks is free water testing. Bring in a sample and the staff will diagnose your tank issues on the spot, offering practical advice that reviewers credit with saving their fish. This kind of hands-on consultation sets the store apart from big-box pet retailers.
Prices are reasonable, the tanks are well-maintained, and the knowledge base behind the counter is deep. 7-star rating across nearly 500 reviews reflects a store that has earned real loyalty. If freshwater fish are your thing, Uncle Ned's is worth the trip to Millis.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Free water testing with hands-on diagnostic advice
- One of the best freshwater fish selections in Massachusetts
- Strong cichlid inventory including peacocks and apistos
- Wide range of nano fish like pygmy corys and strawberry rasboras
- Family-owned by brothers with decades of fishkeeping knowledge
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place, owner brothers are the best”
— David Sherris5.04 days ago“Amazing selection, a fun place to visit especially on a cold snowy New England day. Inside it's tropical and the many varieties of fish are a great relaxing activity to connect with nature and be inspired to not just have some fish in a tank, but to build an aquascape that looks beautiful and is a great way to escape into the calmness of watching the fish interact with natural plants and rocks. They have everything you need and the knowledge to help you build living art and the ideal home for your aquatic friends.”
— Tasha5.0a week ago“excellent service, very knowledgeable”
— YENILDA MELENDEZ5.02 weeks ago“Drove 50 mins to get 20 cardinals. The process was smooth but when I got home, I only saw 17 in the bag and one was dead. I won’t return.”
— Amir H Souri3.03 weeks ago“Great selection and excellent customer service. Worth the drive from anywhere in eastern MA.”
— N C5.04 weeks ago“Lots of variety. Tons of fish. Everything from large peacocks and other cichlids to small apistos and guppies. Basically any cory or other small cat fish your looking for they will have along with a decent selection of plants. Picked up a few skunk corys on my last visit. Healthy and happy”
— Surdam S5.0a month ago“First time there. Staff very helpful. Large variety of fish and plants.”
— Rick Welch4.0a month ago“Good place for freshwater fish...”
— Christopher Breining4.0a month ago“Huge variety of fish with a very knowledgable and helpfull staff.”
— Mike S5.02 months ago“Definitely old school. I bet Ned has forgotten more about fish keeping than I'll ever know. I'm planning on Ned's for all our aquarium needs.”
— Michael Kaplan5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (508) 533-5969 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Uncle Ned's Fish Factory.