Your Pet Fish

Your Pet Fish in Carrollton, Texas has built a devoted following among DFW-area freshwater enthusiasts for one compelling reason: they stock fish you simply cannot find anywhere else in the metroplex. This is a store where a 50-year veteran of the hobby walks in and sees species he's never encountered, where a family with a 3,700-gallon tank sources most of their livestock, and where L-number plecos, bichirs, predatory fish, and sturgeon catfish share space with display-quality bettas and vampire crabs. The shop is run by Thar, whose name comes up repeatedly in reviews for his willingness to spend real time with customers — explaining species compatibility, walking people through tank preparation, and showing off individual fish in detail.

This isn't a transactional retail experience; it's a hobbyist-to-hobbyist conversation. Staff members are fishkeepers themselves, and it shows in the condition of their livestock. Tanks are consistently described as crystal clear, with no dead fish in sight.

The store quarantines fish before selling them, a practice that speaks to their commitment to healthy animals. Beyond the exotic freshwater fish, Your Pet Fish carries a varied selection of aquatic plants, some saltwater livestock, and useful staples like Hikari frozen bloodworms and blackworms — one of only two local sources for the latter. Prices tend to undercut other area stores, particularly on plecos and clearance tank supplies.

The plant section gets regular praise for quality and variety, and several reviewers note great deals on bulk plant purchases. The store's aesthetic is utilitarian — bare tanks, dim lighting — which some visitors find off-putting. But experienced keepers recognize this as a deliberate choice that reduces fish stress and keeps livestock healthier.

Don't let the no-frills setup fool you; the quality of the animals inside those tanks is the real draw. For anyone building a freshwater collection in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, this Carrollton shop delivers rare, healthy fish at fair prices backed by genuinely passionate staff.