Fish City Pets

Fish City Pets in Barberton, Ohio is one of those family-owned pet shops that has earned its loyal following over decades, surviving ownership changes while keeping its neighborhood charm intact. Owner Crystal runs the show with genuine passion, and reviewers consistently single her out for her approachable, knowledgeable style — she's the kind of person who will patiently walk you through your first tank setup or help a group of buddies pick out their fish on a whim. The store specializes in freshwater fish, and that focus shows.

Tanks are clean and well-maintained, and the selection rotates frequently enough that regulars describe popping in weekly just to see what's new. Several reviewers mention locally bred fish, which speaks to the shop's connections with area breeders and its commitment to healthy stock. They also carry a solid inventory of used tanks — a real draw for hobbyists looking to expand setups without breaking the bank.

Prices across the board are described as fair and reasonable, a consistent theme in the reviews. Beyond fish, Fish City Pets stocks a broader range of animals including reptiles, birds, snakes, rats, and bunnies, making it more of a true neighborhood pet shop than a pure aquatics store. They carry feeder fish and frozen/thawed feeder mice, serving the reptile-keeping community as well.

The staff has a reputation for being able to source specialty creatures on request, so if you're looking for something specific, it's worth asking. The shop draws customers from well beyond Barberton — one reviewer drove three hours from Dayton, another traveled an hour for a pet rat — and both left satisfied. That kind of pull from a small mom-and-pop store says something.

Fish City Pets thrives on personal relationships, consistent stock quality, and the kind of hands-on help that chain stores simply can't replicate. If you're in the Akron-Barberton area and keeping freshwater fish, this is a store worth knowing about.