About
Tucked into Hastings, MN, Pure Fish Works has become a destination aquarium store for hobbyists across the southeast Twin Cities metro — the kind of independent fish store people happily drive past chain options to reach. Owners Shawn and Rob run it like a conversation between fellow hobbyists: walk in and one of them is usually right there, ready to talk tanks, troubleshoot a problem, or fish out the exact specimen you came for. Freshwater is the heart of the store.
Reviewers describe an unusually deep selection — neon tetras, adult and long-fin plecos (one regular's are now happily eating green beans at home), wild-caught Green Phantom Plecos, African Dwarf frogs, eels, snails, and shrimp — plus a live plant wall with species many say they've never seen at big-box stores. A wall of bettas, healthy aquatic stock, and reef and saltwater setups run on proper sumps, skimmers, and sponge filters round out a shop that clearly takes livestock health seriously. Hunting something specific?
They're known for sourcing hard-to-find fish for sale in Hastings, MN, even when it takes a little time. What keeps customers coming back is the patience. Newcomers — including more than a few who lost their first fish at chain stores — describe Rob and Shawn calmly fielding every question without a hint of judgment.
One first-timer wrote that Rob "got us all the information we needed... " The shop has grown over the years to include live plants, reptiles, and other critters (Shawn even helped one couple track down a baby tortoise), but aquatics remain the beating heart of the place. Prices run a touch above big-box stores, and regulars say the annual membership pays for itself.
For anyone searching for healthy freshwater fish and live plants near me in the south metro, this Hastings, MN aquarium store is worth the trip.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Pure Fish Works in Hastings, MN
Pure Fish Works stocks rare and hard-to-find species, plecos, tetras, shrimp, invertebrates, reef fish, betta fish, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Hastings, MN. As an aquarium store serving Hastings, MN, it also offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owners Shawn and Rob personally guide nearly every visit and are repeatedly praised for patience with beginners
- Deep freshwater selection: neon tetras, adult and long-fin plecos, wild Green Phantom Plecos, African Dwarf frogs, eels, snails, and shrimp
- Standout live plant wall with species many customers say they've never seen at chain stores
- Reef and saltwater systems run on proper sumps, skimmers, and sponge filters; willing to source hard-to-find livestock on request
- Annual membership program that regular customers say pays for itself
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Lots of good fish and awesome customer service.”
— Noah S5.03 weeks ago“Wide selection of fish and knowledgeable staff”
— Scott Foltz5.0a month ago“Me and my husband searched high and low all over the cities to adopt a tortoise. Shawn was able help us to find a baby Herman’s tortoise! His wife even made a hat for our tortoise to stay warm on his journey home. For such a big decision and a long commitment we were glad to have someone who was as committed to helping us as Pure Fish Works was.”
— Maddie Nelson5.0a month ago“Great place! They are skilled at taking care of fish, and know what they're talking about. They have amazing plants and a massive pleco in one of there tanks!!! Super cool place.”
— Ellery Sander5.0a month ago“This place came very highly recommended but ended up being a really depressing visit. There were more than 7 dead fish in 4+ tanks that we saw, 1 of which was being eaten by the other fish in the tank... the dead fish were at varying levels of decay, including a skeleton. There was a whole wall of bettas, which were for sale individually or with the jar they were living in. It's concerning that they sell the jars, as if a jar was a safe long term home for a betta. All of the bettas looked depressed, they were barely moving .. some of them, when I gently rotated the jar to see if they would show signs of life, their only response was an eye shift. Their jars are tiny, with no filter or plants. It was just really sad to see, honestly.”
— Sam Roland2.02 months ago“Love this store! Super helpful, super friendly, super knowledgeable. This was my first time shopping at Fish Works and I will be back!!! Highly recommend!!!!”
— Ken Noisewater5.03 months ago“My Girlfriend and I are new to the hobby. We lost our first 3 fish (went to PetSmart). We decided we needed to go to an actual fish store. Immediately Rob got us all the information we needed. What we need. What to look out for. He was incredibly patient with all our questions. Thank you soso much and we plan to return!”
— Alex Mentzos5.03 months ago“The staff is always very helpful and kind! The aquatic life is healthy as well!”
— Jim5.04 months ago“I visited Pure Fish Works for the first time this week. I was impressed with the variety of fish, plants, and supplies. I also appreciated Shawn's patience with me. He was happy to answer all my questions and then fish out the exact fish I wanted. I was excited to find some long-fin plecos, and they're now happily eating green beans in my tank. :)”
— Laura Youngquist5.04 months ago“Worth the drive! Great quality fish and plants. Staff is very knowledgeable as well.”
— Ashley Malecha5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (651) 318-7376 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Pure Fish Works.