About
The Fish Place has been a North Tonawanda, NY institution for decades, and walking in explains why aquarists drive from across Western New York — and even across the border from Canada — to shop here. Reviewers routinely count more than 300 running tanks packed into the space, so many that regulars like Kathleen, who has shopped here nearly thirty years, still spot something new on every visit. The warmth radiating off all those tanks is part of the experience; one shopper joked you'll want to ditch your coat at the door.
Freshwater is the heart of the store, widely called the largest selection in WNY. You'll find community tropicals, bettas, shrimp, cichlids, and even crayfish alongside the rarer, predatory, and exotic species that make the weekly arrivals worth checking. The live plant selection is a genuine standout, and staff member Tom (also known as Tommy) is the name reviewers mention again and again for helping build fully planted aquascapes from scratch and for honest advice on everything from a five-gallon nano to a backyard koi pond.
The beautifully aquascaped display tanks show exactly what the plants and fish sold on-site can become. This is a true aquarium store, not just a fish shop: alongside freshwater you'll find a smaller saltwater section with marine fish and corals, plus brackish oddities, pond koi, and even a few small reptiles. Tanks, filters, décor, and accessories fill the hard-goods aisles, and the fish-food prices are some of the best around.
Owner Jake runs it as a family operation, and the staff are known for asking real questions about your tank size, filtration, and stocking before bagging a fish — a sign they care about livestock that actually thrives. They'll also take back fish you've outgrown or that have multiplied. If you're searching for healthy freshwater fish, live plants, or koi for sale in North Tonawanda, NY, this longtime local favorite is well worth the trip.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Fish Place in North Tonawanda, NY
The Fish Place stocks corals, betta fish, shrimp, invertebrates, cichlids, koi, rare and hard-to-find species, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater, brackish & pond fish for sale in North Tonawanda, NY. As an aquarium store serving North Tonawanda, NY, it also carries dry goods, aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium consultations and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- Live PlantsPlanted TanksCoralsBettasShrimpInvertebratesCichlidsKoiRare SpeciesDry GoodsAquarium EquipmentFish Food
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Freshwater selection widely called the largest in Western New York, spread across 300+ tanks
- Standout live plant selection and aquascaped display tanks; Tom is the go-to for planted-tank help
- Freshwater, saltwater with corals, brackish, and pond koi all under one roof
- Buys back fish you've outgrown or that have multiplied, plus best-around fish-food prices
- Family-owned by Jake with knowledgeable staff who vet tank setups before selling livestock
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Awesome!! Great retail store for everything fish. Great looking healthy live stock, plants, koi, dry goods galore. It’s a destination store front.”
— Photographer_with_Cats5.0a day ago“It's not about fishing it's about providing the best chicken salad recipe you can learn being stationed overseas”
— Diane DeArmond1.02 weeks ago“They have fish. One fish. Two fish. Red fish and blue fish. Little fish and big fish. Fresh water and marine fish. Little mouth fish and big mouth fish. Striped fish, mottled fish, and solid colored fish. $ fish and $$$ fish. And their staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. You have an aquarium? You need to go there.”
— Patrick Bink5.03 weeks ago“Excellent customer service”
— JEISSON BASTIDAS LINARES5.03 weeks ago“I grew up with the fish store even if your not buying anything just to come in and look around is really amazing the different types of fish and small reptiles they have.”
— Derek taton5.0a month ago“Knowledgeable staff and clean environment Healthy fish”
— Ashley Gruenauer5.0a month ago“Huge selection and wonderful staff. Parking on Saturdays (in the summer) is difficult as the Farmers Market is a short distance away.”
— Deb W5.0a month ago“Large selection. Tanks looked clean enough. Floors in rough shape. Cichlid stand looks like it’s ready to tumble over from uneven floors. No one spoke to me until I went to the counter. Overall dirty. Music loud. Didn’t get a friendly “vibe” from staff. I did purchase some fish that are happy in their new homes.”
— Moorezr22 Moorezr224.0a month ago“I was referred to this fish store. To my surprise I was treated very rudely! I nicely asked a female employee to help me find a particular kind of fish- She looked at me and said- very rudely- “they are scattered through the store. “ She then turned to finish feeding the fish! After looking around for the fish, wasting time, I stood in line to ask the clerk- whom did step away to help me! The place was very nice but definitely lacked in kind customer service!!!!”
— Margaret Hughes2.0a month ago“0ver 300 tanks. Any fish you can imagine”
— Giullmo Deltoro5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (716) 693-4411 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Fish Place.