Tucked into Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Deez Fish Co has built a reputation as the go-to tropical fish shop in the region — and the loyalty of its customers makes it clear why. This isn't a flashy mega-store; it's a focused, well-run aquarium shop where healthy livestock, clean tanks, and genuine expertise are the draw.
The staff here, particularly Dan, earn outsized praise from fishkeepers across the area. Multiple reviewers point to his ability to explain aquarium concepts clearly and without condescension — a quality that's rarer than it should be in the hobby. When one customer's angelfish fell ill, the team stepped in with practical guidance and helped get things back on track. That kind of hands-on support, paired with reasonable prices, keeps people driving in from surrounding towns.
The store specializes in freshwater varieties and maintains a koi pond on-site, giving visitors a sense of the range they cover. Whether you're setting up a planted tank, exploring nano builds, or just restocking supplies, the shop carries what you need and will custom order what they don't have in stock. Reviewers consistently note the well-managed environment — tanks are clean, fish are healthy, and the selection is curated rather than chaotic.
What makes Deez Fish Co stand out in the Detroit Lakes aquarium scene is its consistency. There are no gimmicks, no pushy sales tactics — just honest advice from people who clearly care about the hobby. The store functions almost like a local resource center for fishkeepers, offering the kind of consultation and product knowledge that big-box pet retailers simply can't match.
For anyone in the Detroit Lakes area looking to build or maintain a freshwater setup, this shop delivers dependable quality and the kind of personalized service that turns first-time visitors into long-term regulars.
Rivershore Aquariums in Minneapolis has earned a devoted following by doing something deceptively simple: keeping things clean, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful. The store's modern, calming atmosphere — complete with a disco ball on the ceiling — sets it apart from the cluttered, dimly-lit fish shops that hobbyists often tolerate. Every tank is meticulously maintained, and the overall vibe feels more like walking through a curated aquascaping gallery than a retail space.
The freshwater selection is the main draw. Healthy sterbai corydoras, harlequin rasboras, bettas, and axolotls share space with an impressive variety of aquatic plants that reviewers consistently single out for both quality and reasonable pricing. Hardscape materials and aquascaping supplies round out the offering, making Rivershore a genuine one-stop destination for planted tank enthusiasts. One customer drove two hours to stock a 75-gallon community tank and called it the best store visit in over 30 years of fishkeeping.
What elevates Rivershore beyond good inventory is the staff. Dan and his team — the owner is a former longtime employee of the legendary A World of Fish — bring encyclopedic knowledge and real passion. One staffer recently returned from a research trip to the Amazon in Brazil. They'll spend close to an hour walking a customer through stocking plans, explain lighting options for a first planted betta tank, or honestly steer someone toward another shop if it better fits their needs. Multiple reviewers note that no question feels too small, whether it's about water wisteria or frog care.
The store also stocks a solid range of equipment, foods, and tank décor, though a few reviewers note the selection isn't exhaustive. What they do carry is well-curated. Customers regularly make 25- to 30-minute drives — or much longer — specifically because the quality, cleanliness, and expertise here outclass anything else they've found in Minnesota. For anyone building a freshwater setup in the Twin Cities, Rivershore is the store people keep coming back to, week after week.
Tucked into an unassuming office strip mall in Plymouth, Minnesota, Joe's Shrimp Shack has built a devoted following among Twin Cities aquarists — and for good reason. This specialty freshwater shop lives up to its name with one of the most impressive shrimp selections in the metro area. Neocaridina, PRL (Pure Red Line), and a rainbow of other colorful varieties fill immaculately maintained tanks, each outfitted with sponge filters that speak to the care behind the operation.
But shrimp aren't the only draw. The store stocks a solid lineup of live aquarium plants — Rotala, tissue cultures, and other species that reviewers report thriving and spreading quickly in their home tanks. Driftwood and spider wood pieces are available in generous variety for aquascaping projects, along with foods, fertilizers, and supplements. Bettas line one wall in individual containers with a drip filtration system, and small schooling fish like Pygmy Corys round out the livestock. Nerite snails and other invertebrates are also on hand.
What makes Joe's Shrimp Shack feel different from a typical pet store is the atmosphere. Owner Joe sets the tone — greeting customers with humor ("Welcome to Walmart") and genuinely engaging with visitors, including kids. Staff are consistently praised for being patient with newcomers to shrimp keeping, answering basic questions without a hint of condescension. There's even a couch for family members who need to wait while you agonize over which shrimp colony to bring home.
The store also has a quirky side — Pokémon cards and hot sauce sit alongside aquarium supplies, giving the shop a personality all its own. Pre-made planted display tanks showcase what's possible and serve as inspiration. Joe has even made appearances at events like the Houston aquarium expo, building community well beyond Plymouth.
For freshwater hobbyists in the Twin Cities looking for healthy, vibrant shrimp and quality plants without paying shipping fees, Joe's Shrimp Shack is worth the drive.
Granite City Aquaria in St Cloud, Minnesota is a focused, family-owned tropical fish store that has earned a devoted following by doing one thing exceptionally well: freshwater aquatics. Walk in and you'll find meticulously maintained tanks stocked with healthy fish, a rotating selection of live plants grown on-site, and an impressive variety of invertebrates including colorful shrimp and Mexican dwarf crayfish.
The selection punches well above its weight for a smaller storefront. Reviewers rave about finding harder-to-source freshwater species — one customer left thrilled with an L114 leopard cactus pleco, while others have picked up fancy guppies, axolotls, frogs, snails, and bettas. Plants range from banana plants and alternanthera reineckii to floating frogbit and duckweed, many propagated in-house. The store also carries locally made fish food, natural driftwood and rocks, substrate, filters, and complete package setups for those starting from scratch.
What truly sets Granite City Aquaria apart is the depth of guidance offered by the staff. Employees like Alex and Crowley are mentioned by name across dozens of reviews for their patience and expertise — walking customers through tank cycling, plant-fish compatibility in small tanks, substrate selection, and ongoing care routines. One customer detailed building a thriving 5.5-gallon planted ecosystem entirely with the store's help, stocking it with guppies, dwarf crayfish, shrimp, snails, and multiple plant species. The store also offers water testing support and will buy back or trade in fish and old tanks.
Pricing is consistently described as fair and reasonable, with plants running slightly higher than big-box stores — a trade-off most customers happily accept given they're locally grown and healthy. Fish are transparently labeled if any health concerns arise, a level of honesty that builds real trust. The store focuses exclusively on aquatics, with no distractions from dogs or cat food aisles, and that singular focus shows in every tank. For freshwater enthusiasts in central Minnesota, this is the real deal.
The Animal House in Nisswa, Minnesota, is a beloved local pet supply shop that has earned a near-perfect 4.9 rating from its loyal customers. While this store focuses primarily on pet food, treats, and toys — particularly for dogs — it has carved out a devoted following in the Brainerd Lakes area thanks to owner Carey's genuine warmth and dedication to her four-legged visitors. Multiple reviewers note that their dogs love walking through the door, where they're greeted with treats (sometimes three at a time) and a welcoming atmosphere that puts anxious pups at ease. One visitor discovered the shop while staying at a nearby family cabin and found calming treats and chew toys that helped their stressed dog settle in — a testament to the store's thoughtfully curated inventory. The selection balances unique, hard-to-find products with familiar favorites, covering everything from premium dog food to specialty treats and toys. Reviewers consistently praise the pricing and the breadth of options available in what might seem like a small-town shop. Carey and her staff are described as incredibly kind, knowledgeable about pet care, and always willing to go above and beyond with personalized recommendations. For cabin-goers, lake visitors, and Nisswa locals alike, The Animal House serves as a reliable one-stop destination for pet supplies. While it does not appear to carry fish or aquarium products based on available reviews, its reputation as a community-oriented pet store with character and heart makes it a standout in the area. If you're passing through Nisswa with your dog in tow, this is the kind of place where you'll leave with a full bag and a happy pup.
Tucked into the small town of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Aqualand Aquarium Center has earned a devoted following that stretches well beyond its zip code. Customers drive from Rochester and even the Twin Cities to browse tanks that reviewers consistently describe as some of the cleanest they've ever encountered in any fish store, anywhere. This isn't hyperbole — the care is visible the moment you walk in. Female bettas swim in community tanks rather than languishing in cups, planted show tanks are beautifully aquascaped, and the livestock looks vibrant and healthy across the board.
What sets Aqualand apart is its freshwater selection, which punches far above what you'd expect from a small-town shop. Customers report finding scarlet badis, dwarf rasboras, sparkling gouramis, and species they'd searched for across dozens of Minnesota stores without success. The rare fish offerings draw serious hobbyists, while common community species are equally well-cared-for and fairly priced. Live aquatic plants are a particular strength — water lettuce, ADFs (African dwarf frogs), and a rotating variety of aquarium plants consistently get praised for their health and quality.
The staff, including the frequently mentioned Cindy and the deeply knowledgeable owner, are patient and genuinely passionate. Multiple reviewers describe extended, helpful conversations about tank setup, fish compatibility, and care. One customer needed a special-sized aquarium that wasn't in stock at Cannon Falls, so staff arranged to have it brought from the Minneapolis location — that kind of personal service defines the experience here.
Aqualand also stocks their own in-house fish food, which regulars call a great deal, along with a solid selection of decorations, aquariums, and dry goods. The store operates as a family-run business with a second location in Minneapolis, giving them buying power and variety that independent shops this size rarely achieve. For anyone in southeastern Minnesota tired of corporate pet store fish departments, the drive to Cannon Falls is absolutely worth it.
Tucked away in East Bethel, Minnesota, MN Aquatics is a dedicated saltwater shop that has quickly built a loyal following among reef keepers across the region. The husband-and-wife team running the store has created something special: a spotlessly clean, brightly lit space where every tank gleams and the livestock looks genuinely healthy. Multiple reviewers note the drive is worth it — and that says a lot in a Minnesota winter.
The focus here is exclusively saltwater, and that specialization shows. The coral selection draws particular praise, with hammer corals, macro algae, and a rotating variety of frags and colonies at prices customers consistently call fair. The fish side is equally strong — blue eye bristletooth tangs, starfish, snails, and a broad range of reef-safe species fill well-maintained display tanks. Live rock rounds out the inventory for anyone building or restocking a reef setup.
What sets MN Aquatics apart is the care taken before anything reaches a customer's tank. All fish go through quarantine before sale, a detail that earns real trust. One reviewer noted they've never received a sick fish, and the overall health of the livestock is the single most repeated compliment across dozens of reviews. For those not local, the store ships fish with fast turnaround and careful packing — dry goods arrive in excellent condition too.
The owners are deeply engaged with their community, even fielding questions on Discord and happily ordering in products or species they don't currently stock. First-time reef builders get walked through setup with genuine patience, while experienced hobbyists appreciate the depth of knowledge on hand. The store still has room to grow — a few reviewers noticed empty spots on the shelves — but that's the mark of a young business expanding thoughtfully rather than cutting corners. For saltwater enthusiasts in the Twin Cities metro and beyond, MN Aquatics has quickly become a destination worth the drive.
Sea Level in Minnetonka, Minnesota has quietly built a devoted following over the years — the kind of store where hobbyists keep coming back for five-plus years and still feel the same enthusiasm as their first visit. The shop maximizes every inch of its space with clean, well-maintained tanks housing a rotating selection of healthy freshwater fish, from panda corys to colorful shrimp varieties including blue, red, and black specimens priced affordably at under $8 each.
What sets Sea Level apart is how naturally the staff — led by owner John — connects with customers. Multiple reviewers describe interactions where employees steered them toward the right solution rather than the most expensive one. One customer recounted being corrected on their water filtration approach after getting bad advice from a chain pet store, while another praised the team for handling a tank emergency with calm expertise and the right medications. This isn't a store that rushes you through a transaction; it's one where the owner treats you like a fellow hobbyist.
Planted tank enthusiasts will find a solid selection of aquatic plants alongside knowledgeable guidance on setup and care. The shop also stocks a full range of tank supplies, dry goods, and fish food. One of Sea Level's more distinctive offerings is their inventory of used aquariums and equipment at competitive prices — a real draw for hobbyists looking to expand without breaking the bank. They also accept surrendered fish, no questions asked, which speaks to their community-minded approach.
The display tanks themselves are worth the visit — thriving ecosystems that showcase what's possible with the right care and knowledge. Beyond the livestock, you'll find decorative elements like petrified wood (one customer bought a piece for their bearded dragon at a generous discount). With 724 reviews and a 4.8 rating, Sea Level has earned its reputation as Minnetonka's go-to freshwater fish store through consistency, passion, and genuine expertise.
Quality Aquatics Pet Shop in Circle Pines, Minnesota has earned a devoted following across the Twin Cities metro — and for good reason. This family-owned freshwater fish store consistently stocks one of the most diverse and unusual selections of livestock in the state, with new and rare species arriving weekly. Reviewers rave about finding pufferfish, empire gudgeons, diamond tetras, fancy goldfish, shrimp varieties typically only available online, and an impressive range of bettas ideal for newcomers to the hobby.
The showpiece of the store is a massive 125-150 gallon planted display tank, densely aquascaped and stocked with mature, gorgeous fish that practically disappear among the foliage until you look closely. It's the kind of setup that stops you in your tracks and makes you want to upgrade your own tank immediately. Beyond the display, the sales tanks are filled with healthy livestock — multiple reviewers credit the store's quarantine and treatment practices for the consistently strong health of their purchases.
The plant selection is a standout as well, with a fantastic variety of freshwater aquatic plant species that draws planted-tank enthusiasts from across the region. Hardscape materials, live food, decor, and equipment round out the inventory, making it a genuine one-stop shop for freshwater aquarists.
Pricing is a recurring theme in the reviews: Quality Aquatics frequently undercuts other local fish stores by significant margins, with some customers reporting prices at half what competitors charge. Staff are consistently described as friendly, patient, and deeply knowledgeable — the owner in particular is praised for taking time to share his expertise. One reviewer noted how an employee worked patiently with an 11-year-old picking out his birthday fish.
The store is currently open only on weekends, so plan accordingly. It can get busy, but parking is easy and wait times are manageable. People regularly drive from St. Paul and beyond, calling it the best freshwater store in Minnesota. The passionate, hands-on ownership shows in every clean tank and thriving fish.
Walking into New Wave Aquaria in Plymouth, Minnesota, you immediately understand why saltwater hobbyists across the Twin Cities consider it their home base. The store is built around reef keeping with an intensity and focus that's hard to find anywhere in the region. Rows of pristine frag tanks display corals spanning every price point — from $20 OG Green Stylos to $1,000 Ultra Acanthophyllia — alongside xenia, zoanthids, green polyps, and more. The livestock selection extends to an impressive range of saltwater fish, including exotic clownfish varieties and what reviewers call the largest selection of tangs they've seen, plus a solid inventory of invertebrates.
The retail floor stocks serious equipment from brands like EcoTech, Tunze, and Apex, along with Waterbox aquariums, protein skimmers, RODI units, and dry rock. Multiple customers note that the supply selection is thorough enough to avoid ordering online for most needs, which says a lot for a specialty saltwater shop. New Wave also runs an online store and ships corals and fish — reviewers who've ordered frags online report receiving notably generous, healthy pieces that outsize what other vendors send.
Staff members Dean, Dan, and owner Jen come up repeatedly in reviews for their depth of knowledge. One customer brought in a clownfish with what appeared to be ich, and a staff member correctly diagnosed constipation, saving them unnecessary medication costs. Another customer praised Jen for personally helping coordinate an EcoTech light warranty return. That level of hands-on involvement in customers' tanks — including maintenance services — sets the store apart.
The physical space itself draws compliments: clean, well-organized display tanks with visibly healthy animals, a comfortable atmosphere that invites browsing. Prices run slightly above average, but the consensus is that livestock quality and care justify it. For reef keepers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, New Wave Aquaria delivers a shopping experience that most markets simply don't have.
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