About
Monfort Aquarium & Pet is a family-run aquarium store on the east side of Cincinnati that has spent decades earning a loyal regional following — regulars happily drive 30 to 40 minutes each way just to walk its aisles. It is the kind of independent shop people mean when they say "shop local": one recent visitor put it plainly, calling it "local, kind, cheap, great quality, huge selection," while another praised the small-town store feel that keeps Cincinnati fish keepers coming back instead of heading to the big chains. The freshwater side runs deep.
You will find cichlids, lyretail mollies, swordtails, and guppies for sale in Cincinnati, OH, alongside mystery snails, assassin snails, cherry shrimp, and ornate longfin bristlenose plecos. The live plant section draws the most repeat praise — shoppers describe a huge variety of hardy aquarium plants, java moss among them, at genuinely good prices, which makes this a natural first stop for anyone building a planted tank. " Several reefers credit the crew here for guiding them through their very first reef tank.
Beyond livestock, Monfort stocks tanks, hoods, filters, décor, and a hard-to-find range of frozen and live feeder mice for multi-pet households. Owner Tom and long-tenured staff like Tyler and Dave are the reason names show up again and again in reviews — patient, knowledgeable, and quick to talk a newcomer through a setup. They have even been known to point a customer to a competitor when they don't have the right tank in stock.
The shop stays notably clean and well-kept, with healthy, bright-scaled fish available in Cincinnati, OH at reasonable prices that beat the big-box options. For anyone starting or maintaining a tank in the greater Cincinnati area, this east-side fish store remains a fish-first institution.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Monfort Aquarium & Pet in Cincinnati, OH
Monfort Aquarium & Pet stocks corals, reef fish, cichlids, livebearers, plecos, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Cincinnati, OH. As an aquarium store serving Cincinnati, OH, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Deep freshwater selection — cichlids, lyretail mollies, swordtails, guppies, cherry shrimp, mystery and assassin snails, and longfin bristlenose plecos
- Standout live plant section with a huge variety of hardy aquarium plants at low prices
- Full saltwater department with marine fish and corals; staff guide first-time reef builders
- Family-owned and operated by owner Tom, with long-tenured staff Tyler and Dave
- Carries tanks, hoods, filters, and hard-to-find frozen and live feeder mice; draws customers from 30-40 minutes away
From keepers
Customer reviews
“A wonderful neighborhood pet store that's been there since the beginning with a fresh knowledgeable staff and a great selection of fish and plants it's a must for everyone to see. Necrophantom”
— Jason harris4.0Edited a week ago“local, kind, cheap, great quality, huge selection Those are literally the required values to describe any wonderful store and they hit all five and then some. If you dont shop here before any other large chain, I would consider you a masochist. I'd give them 6 stars if I could.”
— Abigail Blanco5.02 weeks ago“Huge variety of plants with a super good price! Also have a huge variety of fish!”
— Aleena Cain5.03 weeks ago“Amazing experience the sharks were so cool”
— Silas Garcia5.0Edited a month ago“This is my favorite store for aquarium supplies, fish and especially plants. Always a very nice selection of hardy plants. Nice and helpful staff makes it a fun experience everytime I go there!!!”
— Bridget Hoskins5.02 months ago“We have always purchased our aquarium set ups from there and family has done the same. Tom the owner is the best.!”
— Mr MJL5.02 months ago“Best place aquarium store to shop at love the fish so many different types love them all 😇😇😇♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️”
— Micheal5.03 months ago“Great selection of fish and supplies.. shop local love small town store feel”
— Jamie (US)5.04 months ago“I have gotten 2 cherry shrimp from there.I also bought java moss and an assassin snail from there as well.super chill and knowledgeable. Will be going again probably tomorrow.”
— Stephen Pasley5.04 months ago“I have been going to this store for years and I got 4 plecos at different times and all of them died within 24 hours and they don’t do refunds worst customer service ever very nasty I wouldn’t recommend you to anyone”
— Ronnie Hunter1.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (513) 923-3369 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Monfort Aquarium & Pet.