About
Pet World & Aqua Shoppe has spent years building its reputation as one of Rochester's most serious aquarium stores, and walking through the doors makes the appeal obvious: rows of freshwater and saltwater tanks, a standout live plant section, and a floor staff that locals seek out by name. Regulars describe driving past closer pet shops specifically to come here, and many stop in weekly — sometimes with their dog in tow — for fish, plants, or just to say hello to the resident rescue goldfish and the giant pleco. The fish room is the heart of the place.
The owners insist on quarantining livestock in-house before it goes up for sale, which is why so many reviewers single out the health of the stock. You can pick up honey gourami and brilliant rasboras, browse shrimp, snails, crayfish, and eels, or ask the team to special-order a particular species you're chasing. The planted-tank crowd comes for vibrant, snail-free live plants, driftwood, and what one shopper called endless substrate options for aquascaping.
Bettas, tropical community fish, and a genuine saltwater section round out one of the deeper aquarium inventories available for sale in Rochester, NY. What customers rave about most is the help. Staff like Corey, Adam, Margie, and Aly get name-dropped constantly; Corey has spent a half hour testing water and diagnosing a struggling tank, and the crew happily walks newcomers through a first setup, stand, and equipment.
When one family discovered a koi pond at their new house, the staff helped them learn to care for their koi. Beyond aquatics, Pet World stocks small animals, birds, reptile supplies, a strong tarantula selection, and one of the area's best ranges of live feeder insects. It's a full-service pet store with a genuine aquarium shop's soul — the kind of independent, locally owned spot Rochester fishkeepers treat as their weekly go-to.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Pet World & Aqua Shoppe in Rochester, NY
Pet World & Aqua Shoppe stocks betta fish, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Rochester, NY. As an aquarium store serving Rochester, NY, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers water testing, fish quarantine, aquarium consultations, aquarium setup and pond services.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owners quarantine livestock in-house before it goes up for sale, so reviewers consistently praise the health of the fish
- Staff like Corey, Adam, Margie, and Aly give extended one-on-one help, including on-the-spot water testing and tank diagnosis
- Deep aquatic selection: honey gourami, brilliant rasboras, shrimp, snails, crayfish, eels, bettas, and a saltwater section
- Vibrant, snail-free live plants with driftwood and endless substrate options for aquascaping and planted tanks
- Full-service local pet store beyond fish: small animals, birds, reptile supplies, tarantulas, and live feeder insects, plus koi pond guidance
From keepers
Customer reviews
“06-27-2026: update Thanks Aly for your assistance today. 01/21/2026 update Picked up some beautiful honey gourami and brilliant rasboras today. All healthy and doing well so far. 11-07-2025 Met Margie and purchased an aquariumin and stand today. Thank you for all your help.”
— Ron Tronnes Jr5.0Edited a day ago“Staff were VERY welcoming and friendly. Prices were on the higher side but the experience was nice.”
— Amanda Phillips4.04 days ago“Very knowledgeable and helpful staff”
— JAHMEEK4.06 days ago“They have nearly anything for any type of animal.”
— Courtney Burley5.0a week ago“After the snow melted we discovered our new to us house had a koi pond! Ali and all the staff (so many! rare to find these days) helped us so much and we look forward to working with this shop to help us take care of our new little koi friends.”
— Melissa Sieling5.02 weeks ago“This used to be my favorite place to visit. It had resononable prices and fish care seemed top priority. The price for aquatic items has skyrocketed. Live plants and driftwood are double price. They have started keeping bettas in sororities the back plant tanks. It is inhumane to keep female bettas together PERIOD! There are times I dropped by and there are female bettas actively fighting, showing signs of stress and fin damage from fighting. I had a conversation with the the cashier about bettas. He stated that when people ACTUALLY research proper humane betta care. Of them needing ample room and enrichment. That he talks them of it. Bettas don't need room and people need to stop listening to peta! I can deal with price increases but not blatant neglect and abuse when it comes to animals for sale in the store. Not to mention ignorant employees spreading misinformation when it comes to proper care. The Greece location is awful.”
— Kimberlee Williams1.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Great place and great selection of fish and other related things amd staff was very helpful”
— Robert5.04 weeks ago“Thank you guys for being there. My favorite most trusted pet store. I always love when a pet store takes good care of everyone, customers and animals. They have an excellent selection of tarantulas. They often have slings so you know it's well sourced. If you like that sorta fluffy friend. I also know they will special order for you, if you want something you aren't seeing. I make a trip a week at least to this store, and I've never been disappointed, never. There's always a few things to say hello to when you arrive, rescue goldfish, giant plecko, rats guinea piggies and the birds will say hello even if you don't. Ps to the store, get a male Brazilian jewel and I'm happy to be a part of a breeding project. I wanted mine to have babies so they get to keep being a part of the spider world here since no imports, I need someone to team up with and make them more available in the area. If you ever do want to you can find me at the store once a week easily.”
— tanya faulkner5.0Edited 4 weeks ago“They always have such a bug selection of animals and fish as well as merchandise. Great selection of aquatic plants as well. Give it a visit!”
— Dana Williams5.0a month ago“I took my 2 small kids with me to get a new hear bulb and we walked around to look at the fish and animals while we were there, the animals are always in such good condition every time we go. An incredibly helpful and kind gentleman showed my 2 yr old a bunch of really cool fish and eels, he even brought over a stool so he could see the crayfish. Amazing customer service, we will continue to get all our fish and reptile supplies here”
— Tyler LeRoy5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (585) 225-8700 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Pet World & Aqua Shoppe.