Pet Cove

Pet Cove in Kingsport, Tennessee has earned its reputation as the go-to locally owned pet store in the Tri-Cities area, with customers driving from as far as Greeneville to shop there. The freshwater fish selection is the real draw — extensive enough that one customer who made an hour-long trip specifically noted how impressive and nicely set up the tanks were. You'll find everything from ranchu goldfish and angelfish to shrimp, dotted plecos, and betta fish, all kept in notably clean tanks that reflect the store's commitment to animal health.

The live plants section gets particular praise from aquarium hobbyists looking to build planted tanks, and the invertebrate selection rounds out a solid freshwater offering. One long-time customer of three to four years reported purchasing both fish and shrimp over the years without a single loss — the kind of track record that speaks volumes about the quality of their livestock. Beyond the aquariums, Pet Cove stocks an impressive range of reptiles, birds, and small mammals, along with supplies for exotic pets that are hard to find elsewhere.

They're one of the few local sources for live and frozen feeder mice and rats, which keeps snake owners coming back weekly. Staff members like Brad have earned personal shout-outs for their willingness to spend real time with customers, walking them through care requirements for bearded dragons, fish tank setups, and everything in between. The store itself is consistently described as clean, organized, and odor-free — a detail that matters when you're housing dozens of species under one roof.

It's worth noting the five-day return policy on animals, which some customers have found too short, particularly on pricier purchases. 5 stars. For freshwater fish enthusiasts in the Kingsport area looking for healthy livestock and genuine expertise, Pet Cove delivers where the chain stores fall short.