Fins & Filters -Pet Suppliers

Tucked along M-59 in Highland Township, Michigan, Fins & Filters is a family-owned aquarium shop that punches well above its weight. The storefront may be compact, but step inside and you'll find an almost overwhelming density of freshwater and saltwater livestock — cichlids, boesemani rainbowfish, angelfish, plecos, corydora catfish, clownfish, and even monster fish sharing wall space with shubunkins and bettas. Owner Gage, his wife, and their two rescued shop dogs Aspin and Gracie create an atmosphere that feels more like visiting a friend's fish room than a retail store.

The live plant selection stands out as one of the best-priced and highest-quality options in the surrounding Waterford and Highland area. Driftwood, rocks, and aquarium decorations fill the shelves alongside the greenery, and they even stock assassin snails for hobbyists battling invasive hitchhiker snails in their planted tanks. Shrimp enthusiasts can pick up livestock along with ready-to-go shrimp tank setups.

For those struggling with local water hardness, the shop sells prepared aquarium water — a practical touch that speaks to how well they understand their customers' day-to-day needs. What sets Fins & Filters apart from competitors is the genuine care behind the counter. Multiple reviewers describe staff who ask about your existing tanks and species before making recommendations, and who will walk an eight-year-old through feeding routines with the same patience they give a seasoned hobbyist.

One customer brought in a sick fish that the shop kept and nursed back to health over several weeks. Their livestock goes through a quarantine process before sale, which accounts for slightly higher price points but means you're far less likely to introduce disease to your home aquarium. The shop also carries reptiles — bearded dragons, turtles, snakes, and lizards — with the same hands-on, knowledgeable approach.

But the heart of Fins & Filters is clearly aquatics, and the Highland Township community has embraced it as the go-to destination for fish keepers who value honest advice and healthy animals over big-box convenience.