About
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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Rare SpeciesLive PlantsBettasGoldfishShrimpPuffersTetrasPlanted TanksInvertebratesDry GoodsAquarium Equipment
- Services
- Quarantine
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Rare and unusual freshwater species arriving weekly, including pufferfish, empire gudgeons, and diamond tetras
- Massive 125-150 gallon planted display tank with mature, stunning fish
- Fantastic selection of live aquatic plants and hardscape materials
- Competitive pricing — often half the cost of other local fish stores
- Fish are quarantined and treated before sale, resulting in consistently healthy livestock
From keepers
Customer reviews
“WOWWW❣️ First time there! Clean store ❣️ Friendly, helpful staff❣️🥰👍👍 Tanks are clean, too! Plus there's a huge dream tank(magical pic # 1, where u don't see fish until u zoom in!!!)❣️❣️❣️ Look for the, I believe, diamond tetra on the bottom left, tho pic doesn't do it justice❣️❣️❣️ Tank is roughly 6'/125-150 gallons with many mature sized, gorgeous fish ...including an Empire Gudgeon(see pic #2)❣️❣️❣️ They sell juveniles of these, too! We bought three! 👍👍 Many gorgeous, healthy plants, too❣️❣️ If you're into tropical fish, ya just GOTTA check this place out! YOU'LL BE BACK❣️❣️❣️❣️ Note: My 1st pic of the big tank is only part of it! I did find an almost full tank pic(#3), tho not so magical ...I only find a couple rasboras! lol Fish hide well in the thick planted area on the right! JUST GO!”
— Yvonne G5.02 days ago“Great Place so much variet, great prices and helpful staff!”
— Carl Geyen4.05 days ago“I love this place! Super friendly knowledgeable staff. Pretty much any fish you could want, sooo many fish. #supportfamilyowned”
— Anon ymous5.0a week ago“We love this place!!”
— Armina Mahmuljin5.02 weeks ago“Love this place awesome staff. And a staggering amount of fish!!”
— Tyler Busse5.02 weeks ago“Best fish”
— ShadowX Xiong5.0a month ago“Friendly service! Great selection and healthy fish. Reasonable pricing, and worth it. Highly recommend!!”
— DB DB5.0a month ago“Very friendly and knowledgeable highly recommend”
— neil lockhart5.0a month ago“Great selection of fish, great price. My little school of fish are happy and healthy. Looking forward to going back now that I’ve been inspired to do a bigger future setup”
— Dreita 275.0a month ago“Great talking to Julie Tran, although I got charged for 25% of refund bcuz of policy. I recommend anyone want to purchase here need to read their policy before final purchasing. Do not make my mistake.”
— Joseph Moua5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (763) 780-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Quality Aquatics Pet Shop.