About
Critter Pet Shop has anchored Allen Park's Downriver pet scene since the 1980s, a family-owned, floor-to-ceiling warren of tanks and cages that longtime customers still call their go-to local fish store. Reviewer Brian Anstandig captures the loyalty plenty of regulars share: "This is my go to local fish store... they are always willing to answer any questions and even test your water for you.
" Owner Mike has been behind the counter for decades and is repeatedly described as a knowledgeable, approachable guy who will happily talk a customer through a build from scratch. The freshwater fish department is the heart of the store for aquarium hobbyists. You will find South American cichlids like blue acaras and severums for sale in Allen Park, MI, alongside puffer fish, schools of assorted platies and other livebearers, and the occasional standout oddball, one recent visitor walked out raving about the largest clown pleco he had ever seen.
Invertebrate keepers come for hard-to-find vampire crabs and hermit crabs, and the store stocks the racks of dry goods, tanks, filters, food, and equipment needed to keep a tank running. Free in-store water testing and patient, one-on-one setup help make it an easy first stop for anyone building their first aquarium near Allen Park. Beyond fish, Critter is packed with reptiles, amphibians (a recent buyer praised a healthy albino clawed frog), birds, rabbits, ferrets, turtles, and the famous resident shop cat named Keyboard, who is happy to be petted right alongside the kittens.
The aisles are narrow and crammed in true old-school pet-shop fashion, and quality can vary from the well-kept front tanks to the busier back section, so it pays to inspect livestock closely before you buy. For Downriver hobbyists who value hands-on advice and a genuinely deep, eclectic selection, Critter Pet Shop remains a fixture worth the trip.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Critter Pet Shop in Allen Park, MI
Critter Pet Shop stocks cichlids, pufferfish, plecos, livebearers, invertebrates, betta fish and freshwater fish for sale in Allen Park, MI. As a fish store serving Allen Park, MI, it also carries dry goods, aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium consultations, aquarium setup and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned Downriver fixture run by owner Mike since the 1980s
- Freshwater selection spans cichlids like blue acaras and severums, puffers, platies, and standout clown plecos
- Free in-store water testing and hands-on help building a tank from scratch
- Hard-to-find invertebrates like vampire crabs plus deep exotic-pet supplies
- Resident shop cat 'Keyboard' and a huge variety of animals beyond fish
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I have been coming here since 1980s always the owners willing to answer any questions I have.l support family owned businesses keep up the good work guys”
— Michael Munroe5.05 days ago“Love this place always great service and fun to look around. Got to see the turtle today and kitty.”
— Poison Berry5.06 days ago“I got a reticulated Albino Clawed Frog from these guys, he's the greatest. Super healthy, active, good eater, ckear eyes, perfect webs and hands. They had both albino and wild types, and they are all juveniles in various life stages. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable, the gentleman that helped me was very kind. The shop is about a half an hour from me, but was worth the trip. Thank you Critter Pet Shop!”
— M R5.0a week ago“Absolutely appalled by the conditions in which these animals are kept. Walked in hoping to find a reputable local pet store and found anything but. Tiny, improper enclosures, overcrowding in said enclosures. Betas in cups, tanks on the floor under shelves, pushed back as if forgotten. The whole place is dark and dingy, would not give this place a cent.”
— Hannah S1.0a week ago“This is my go to local fish store been going here for a few years. They are always willing to answer any questions and even test your water for you. I've gotten all my prize fish from these guys”
— Brian Anstandig5.02 weeks ago“I dislike how they handle animals here, they pick the rats up by their tails which can severely disable them, picking a rat by its tail can cause the skin to rub off and can even cause it to fall off all together I think that even though they are feeders that they should be respected.They keep their rats in tanks UNDER the bird display barely visible to anyone. They keep their pets in small cages and do not take care of them at all. DO NOT come here. chances are the animal is sick they do genuinely abuse these animals. Also they tend to get their animal's genders wrong ALOT”
— Saffron Martin1.0Edited 2 weeks ago“Hello I recently purchased a boa from you guys and she’s been showing signs of a infection, constant clicking and mucus around her nose and refusing food, I’ve only had her about 2-3 weeks and have been monitoring her closely, but I’m almost certain I was sold a sick snake. I know it happens but I would like to see what can be done about this, I’ve tried calling the store several times within business hours but don’t get any answer and by the time I’m off work you guys are closed, please get back to me asap, please contact me or answer if possible, I will retract said rating”
— Julian Legalley1.04 weeks ago“Great place.”
— Ali Sofyan5.0a month ago“Always very helpfull”
— mike camp5.0a month ago“Very knowledgeable owner”
— james thomas5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (313) 383-9460 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Critter Pet Shop.