Tennessee Tails Pet Boutique in downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee, is a locally owned pet supply shop that has earned a devoted following with nearly 450 five-star reviews — and for good reason. This isn't an aquarium or fish store; it's a curated pet boutique focused on premium, natural, and holistic nutrition for dogs and cats, staffed by people who genuinely know their products and love the animals that walk through the door.
What sets Tennessee Tails apart is the depth of knowledge behind the counter. Staff members can tell you where their food is processed, recommend goat milk as a probiotic supplement for a finicky dachshund, or help a cockapoo owner find the right food for a super picky eater — and nail it on the third try. They carry brands like OC Raw alongside a wide selection of flavored yak chews, natural treats, toys, and health products. Customers consistently note that the prices are reasonable and the discounts are generous, especially for a boutique that prioritizes quality over volume.
The store's location in historic downtown Jonesborough makes it an easy stop for locals and visitors alike, and dogs are not only welcome but actively spoiled with treats upon arrival. One customer recounted how the staff helped inflate a recovery collar for their dog Gus after emergency surgery, then suggested products to keep him occupied during bed rest — the kind of thoughtful, personal service that big-box retailers simply can't replicate.
Tennessee Tails is the kind of small business that builds community one wagging tail at a time. The staff is described repeatedly as hospitable, honest, and genuinely invested in helping pet owners make informed choices. If you're in the Jonesborough area shopping for high-quality, USA-made pet food, holistic health products, or just the right chew toy, this boutique delivers a warm, personalized experience that keeps customers coming back.
Tucked away in Old Hickory, Tennessee, Music City Aquatics LLC has built a loyal following among Nashville-area fishkeepers who value healthy livestock and honest, personalized guidance. This compact shop punches well above its size, stocking a solid variety of both freshwater and saltwater fish alongside a well-curated selection of live plants that customers rave about for their longevity and health post-purchase.
The tanks here are notably clean — a detail that comes up again and again in reviews — and the fish reflect that care. Several customers report excellent survival rates with their purchases, a testament to the store's commitment to quality over volume. Freshwater enthusiasts will find plenty to love, from tropical species to bettas displayed in the back section. The plant selection is a particular draw, with keepers crediting Music City Aquatics for helping them build beautiful planted tanks at home.
What sets this store apart in the greater Nashville area is the personal attention. The owners are hands-on and approachable, taking time to share their aquarium knowledge and help customers make informed decisions about stocking, compatibility, and tank care. Repeat visitors describe a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where questions are encouraged rather than rushed. For freshwater hobbyists especially, the staff has helped customers dial in stunning setups with their guidance and livestock recommendations.
Pricing is another consistent bright spot. Multiple reviewers note that Music City Aquatics offers competitive or better prices compared to other local fish stores in the Tennessee market, making quality livestock and plants accessible without breaking the bank. The store may be modest in square footage, but the condition of every tank and every fish speaks to meticulous upkeep by a team that genuinely cares about the hobby. If you're in Old Hickory or anywhere around Nashville and want fish that thrive long after you bring them home, this is the local shop worth driving to.
Tucked away in Cookeville, Tennessee, Tri-Star Koi is a by-appointment koi dealership run by Marlon, a dedicated hobbyist-turned-dealer whose passion for the fish is immediately apparent the moment you step onto his facility. This isn't a walk-in pet shop — it's a curated operation built around sourcing and selling high-quality koi, with Marlon personally traveling to Japan each year to hand-select the fish he imports.
The facility houses a wide variety of koi across multiple price points, and reviewers consistently note that his pricing is competitive despite the caliber of fish on offer. Marlon has done extensive research into koi nutrition and stocks food and supplies he's vetted himself, making Tri-Star a one-stop resource for pond keepers across Tennessee and beyond. Orders are filled and delivered quickly, and Marlon is known for responding promptly to inquiries.
What truly sets Tri-Star Koi apart is Marlon's deep involvement in the koi community. He's active in supporting koi shows, presenting to local and regional clubs, and sharing knowledge on social media. Multiple customers describe him as someone who takes genuine pride in the health and quality of every fish he sells, and his willingness to spend time answering questions — no matter how basic — earns him repeat business from hobbyists at every level of experience.
Visiting Tri-Star feels more like consulting with a trusted expert than shopping at a store. Marlon walks customers through their options, discusses pond readiness, and ensures buyers leave with the information they need to keep their koi thriving. Several reviewers mention purchasing from him repeatedly, a testament to the trust he's built.
For pond enthusiasts in the Cookeville area or anywhere in Tennessee looking for Japanese-imported koi, quality koi food, and genuinely knowledgeable guidance, Tri-Star Koi is worth the appointment.
FINS Freshwater Aquariums in Bartlett, Tennessee is one of those locally owned shops that makes you forget big-box pet stores exist. Reviewers consistently describe walking in and feeling like they've entered a mini aquarium — tanks are pristine, fish are vibrant and healthy, and the atmosphere is calm and inviting. The owner has built something genuinely special here, and it shows in every detail, from the modern informational displays to the spotless facility.
The store's name says freshwater, and that's clearly its heart. Live aquatic plants are a standout, with customers calling them a highlight alongside a strong selection of healthy freshwater fish. Bettas, small sharks, and algae-eating tank companions are among the species reviewers have taken home. There's also mention of saltwater stock, giving the shop broader appeal than its name might suggest. For aquascaping enthusiasts, FINS carries the supplies and knowledge to help design planted tanks that rival anything you'd see online.
What truly sets FINS apart is the owner's approach. He's described over and over as kind, patient, knowledgeable, and never pushy — the kind of person who will spend time teaching a first-time fishkeeper without pressuring them to buy a thing. One family with a two-year-old described their visits like trips to an aquarium, complete with "ohhhs" and "ahhhs" at the fish. Another reviewer noted the owner never pushes unnecessary products, a refreshing departure from the upsell culture elsewhere.
There's also a community dimension worth noting: the store's t-shirts are made by the local high school special education department, tying FINS into the fabric of Bartlett in a meaningful way.
Whether you're setting up your first tank or sourcing quality plants for an established aquascape, FINS delivers an experience that's equal parts shop, education center, and visual treat. The owner's genuine passion for fishkeeping is the engine behind everything here, and customers clearly feel it.
Tucked into a strip on Chilhowee School Road in Seymour, Tennessee, Fresh Aquatics is the passion project of owner Chris, a freshwater specialist whose dedication to healthy fish and natural aquariums has earned him a fiercely loyal following—including customers willing to drive from Knoxville and even Kentucky to shop here.
What makes Fresh Aquatics stand apart is its quarantine protocol. Every fish Chris brings in spends at least a week in quarantine before hitting the sales floor; if anything looks off, that window extends to a full month. The result is immediately visible: tanks are immaculately maintained, and the livestock looks vibrant and stress-free. One customer drove home with a bristlenose pleco that acclimated effortlessly after a long trip, and another brought a dozen guppies and endlers back to Kentucky only to find 43 fry two weeks later—a testament to the health of the stock.
Aquatic plants are a particular strength. Chris specializes in educating customers about what live plants can do for an aquarium, and the store sells everything from water lettuce to pothos and peace lilies in 3D-printed planters that customers rave about months later. His focus on all-natural freshwater setups means he'll walk you through water parameters, tank cycling, and plant propagation with genuine enthusiasm rather than a sales pitch.
The betta section deserves a mention—Chris provides each betta with a proper, healthy environment, a sharp contrast to the cups you'll find at big-box retailers. He also carries snails and can special-order specific species if they're not currently in stock, following up with a notification when your fish arrive.
Beyond sales, Chris offers water testing and hands-on guidance for tank setup. Multiple reviewers credit him with saving struggling tanks by breaking down not just the fix, but the science behind it. He even accepted a pleco that had outgrown a customer's tank. For freshwater and pond enthusiasts anywhere near East Tennessee, Fresh Aquatics delivers an experience rooted in education, animal welfare, and genuine community connection.
Tucked across the street from Camino in Winchester, Tennessee, Aquaholics Tropical Fish Store is a locally owned shop run by a husband-and-wife team whose passion for fishkeeping is evident in every meticulously maintained tank. Since opening, the store has quickly built a devoted following — customers regularly drive hours for their stock, with one reviewer making a three-hour round trip to pick up hard-to-find freshwater fish.
The freshwater selection is the heart of the operation. Reviewers rave about vibrant neon tetras, angelfish, loaches, female guppies, mollies, and blue shrimp, all in excellent health and quick to acclimate to home tanks. Live plants and decorative rocks round out the inventory, giving planted-tank enthusiasts solid options alongside the livestock. Snails and shrimp share shelf space with tanks and accessories, and the owners maintain a special-order policy — if they don't carry something, they'll track it down for you.
What sets Aquaholics apart from the big-box pet stores is the consultative approach. The owners take real time with every customer, whether it's helping a family pick out compatible tankmates for inherited angelfish or walking a complete beginner through their first setup. Multiple reviewers mention spending extended conversations learning about care, compatibility, and tank maintenance, describing the experience as educational rather than transactional. One customer who'd dealt with repeated issues from chain stores declared Aquaholics their only future source for fish.
The store runs regular promotions — an Easter egg hunt with mystery prizes being a recent favorite — and maintains an active Facebook presence for deal announcements. A loyalty rewards program adds another reason to keep coming back. The space itself is compact but spotless, with healthy, colorful fish on display throughout.
Notably, Aquaholics is freshwater-only for now — one reviewer flagged the lack of saltwater livestock — but the owners are clearly growing. For freshwater fishkeepers in southern Tennessee and northern Alabama, this is the local fish store the area has been waiting for.
Tucked away in Hixson, Tennessee, Aquatic Aesthetics is the kind of local fish shop that earns its reputation one tank at a time. Run by Rob, who customers consistently describe as the area's go-to authority on home aquatics, this small mom-and-pop store punches well above its weight in both selection and service.
The freshwater focus here is clear. Guppies are a standout — one first-time customer came in looking for a few and walked out with far more than planned, pleasantly surprised by the variety and pricing. But the selection stretches well beyond livebearers. Panda garras, dojo loaches, cherry shrimp, and a dedicated "craw wall" stocked with invertebrates give the shop real character. One customer drives an hour each way just for Rob's stocking recommendations. The live plants earn special mention too — multiple reviewers highlight the plant selection, and at least one visitor admits they come specifically for the moss.
What sets Aquatic Aesthetics apart is the genuine care behind the counter. When a beginner showed up in a panic after adding cherry shrimp to an uncycled tank, Rob sold them an established sponge filter from one of the shop's own tanks and walked them through the recovery process — even fielding a follow-up phone call about pump setup. Two weeks later, every shrimp was still alive. That's not just customer service; that's someone who cares about the animals leaving his store.
Water testing is available on-site — bring in a sample and Rob will give you a straight read on your parameters along with specific guidance on water changes and corrections. He's opinionated (he's not a fan of Walstad tanks, and he'll tell you so), but that candor is part of what makes the advice trustworthy.
Pricing is consistently described as reasonable, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. People who discover this shop tend not to go back to the big-box alternatives. If you're keeping freshwater tanks in the greater Chattanooga area, Aquatic Aesthetics in Hixson deserves a visit.
Tucked in the basement of a residential home in Blountville, Tennessee, Tignor Aquatics is the kind of place you'd drive right past if you didn't know where to look — and that would be a real shame. Owned and operated by Ken and Beverly, this family-run fish store has earned a fiercely loyal following across the Blountville and Kingsport area, with a near-perfect rating built on genuine passion and impeccably healthy livestock.
The setup is unconventional — a home garage and basement converted into rows of clean, well-maintained tanks — but the selection rivals stores many times its size. Reviewers consistently rave about the variety of freshwater fish, including cichlids and species that simply can't be found elsewhere in the region. The shrimp selection draws dedicated hobbyists, and the live plants are described as second to none. You'll also find impressively large snails, driftwood, koi, and more unusual offerings like albino African clawed frogs.
What makes Tignor Aquatics special goes beyond inventory. Ken and Beverly have spent their lives in the aquatics hobby, and it shows in every interaction. They take the time to answer questions about tank ecosystems, recommend the right cleaning crew for your daughter's aquarium, and genuinely care about the long-term success of every fish that leaves their shop. Multiple customers mention being referred here by chain pet stores — a telling endorsement from competitors who know their limits.
The tanks themselves are remarkably clean, with visitors noting they could barely spot a single dead fish in the entire operation. That level of care translates directly to the health of the animals customers take home, with reports of frogs and fish thriving weeks after purchase.
Fair warning: signage is minimal and the residential location can be tricky to find. But once you step inside, the warm welcome, stunning livestock, and deep expertise make the search entirely worthwhile. One visit, as many customers attest, is all it takes to never shop anywhere else.
Tucked away in Franklin, Tennessee, Grassland Aquatics is a dedicated pond and water garden shop that has earned a near-perfect 4.9 rating from over a hundred customers — and the reviews make it clear why. This isn't a sprawling big-box pet store; it's a focused, expertise-driven destination for anyone building, maintaining, or restocking a backyard pond or water feature.
Koi are a major draw here. Customers rave about the quality and health of the fish, with one first-time buyer walking out with five koi and declaring immediate plans to return. Goldfish round out the live fish offerings, and the staff clearly understands the nuances of pond stocking. But fish are only part of the picture — Grassland Aquatics has built a strong reputation for its selection of aquatic plants, the kind of hard-to-find varieties that serious water gardeners struggle to source elsewhere, all at competitive prices.
On the equipment side, the shop carries pumps, fountains, liners, and the full range of products needed for pond construction and repair. Multiple reviewers describe bringing specific problems — a broken pump, a pond in need of restoration — and walking out not just with the right product but with practical advice on how to tackle the project. The consultation-style service is a recurring theme across reviews, with staff taking genuine time to answer questions, offer suggestions, and guide customers through both small water features and full-scale pond repairs.
What stands out most about Grassland Aquatics is the atmosphere. This is a place where the team remembers your face, makes your kids feel welcome, and offers encouragement alongside expertise. Several customers mention returning repeatedly during multi-visit projects, each time receiving the same patient, knowledgeable support. For pond keepers in the greater Franklin area, it's the kind of local shop that turns a weekend errand into a relationship with people who genuinely care about your water garden's success.
Tucked away in Bartlett, Tennessee, Aquariums Memphis has built a devoted following around one thing: Richard's deep, genuine expertise in saltwater fish and corals. Owner-operated and laser-focused, this shop has earned a near-perfect 4.9 rating from customers across the Memphis metro area and beyond — with hobbyists traveling from as far as Arkansas to seek Richard's guidance.
The store's strength is its saltwater livestock. Reviewers consistently praise the health and vibrancy of the fish and corals on display, noting that every visit brings something new to discover. Richard personally curates his inventory and works closely with customers on special orders, ensuring they get exactly what they need. One customer described how Richard created their entire saltwater setup from scratch — tank, equipment, and livestock — and continues to be a resource for any issue that arises.
Beyond selling fish, Richard offers hands-on services that go well above expectations. One reviewer recounted how he broke down their entire tank, moved it to a new house, and reassembled it at a reasonable price. That kind of personal investment in his customers' success sets Aquariums Memphis apart from the big-box competition in Shelby County.
While saltwater is the clear specialty, the store also stocks freshwater items — one customer picked up purple jade stones for a new freshwater aquarium. But make no mistake: this is a saltwater destination first. Richard's willingness to spend time with each customer, offering personalized advice on tank setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting, creates the kind of relationship-driven experience that chain stores simply cannot replicate.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with multiple reviewers describing the shop as feeling like family. For saltwater hobbyists in the greater Memphis area, Aquariums Memphis delivers the rare combination of exceptional livestock quality, fair pricing, and an owner who genuinely cares about every tank he touches.
