About
HomeGrown Scales is a small, fiercely independent fish and exotic pet store tucked into Barre, VT, where owner Morgan has built a reputation for putting animal welfare ahead of everything else. Woman-owned and deeply rooted in central Vermont, the shop draws aquarium keepers who want healthy stock and honest guidance rather than a big-box checkout line. " For freshwater hobbyists, this is a genuine local source.
Bettas are available in Barre, VT for a few dollars each, and Morgan is known to talk through proper habitat before she'll let one go home — a level of care that has earned her a loyal following. Beyond bettas, customers stock community tanks here with healthy tropical fish, freshwater shrimp, live plants, and substrate, often building an entire setup in a single visit. " If you're searching for freshwater fish near me in the Barre area, the real draw is the hands-on help.
Morgan and her staff will get a tank up to par, recommend quality equipment, and brainstorm fixes when something's off — then remember you and your animals on the next visit. That same care extends to the shop's reptiles, healthy feeder insects, and wide selection of food and supplies, with fast curbside pickup for regulars who know exactly what they need. What makes this Barre fish store special is that the expertise is real and the animals come first.
Tanks are clean, prices are fair, and Morgan will research an answer she doesn't have on hand rather than guess. For central Vermont aquarists who value an ethical, independently owned shop over a chain, HomeGrown Scales is well worth the trip.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at HomeGrown Scales in Barre, VT
HomeGrown Scales stocks betta fish, shrimp, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Barre, VT. As a fish store serving Barre, VT, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations, aquarium setup and fish boarding.
- Livestock & products
- BettasShrimpInvertebratesLive PlantsAquarium Equipment
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Morgan offers hands-on, honest guidance and won't sell an animal until the habitat is right
- Healthy, ethically sourced freshwater fish — one customer added ~15 fish to a rebuilt tank with zero losses
- Full freshwater setups in one stop: bettas, tropical fish, freshwater shrimp, live plants, and substrate
- Helps customers get tanks up to par and recommends quality aquarium equipment
- Woman-owned, independent shop with animal boarding while you travel and fast curbside pickup
From keepers
Customer reviews
“My ball python wasn't eating and I had been back and forth with a vet these guys are very knowledgeable and gave me advice and tricks and my buddy started eating again! I live 2 hours away from this place and its so so worth going again!!”
— Orianna Hooper5.02 months ago“Highly recommend this pet store—beautiful, healthy animals and a wide selection of food and supplies. The shop is clean, well-maintained, and clearly puts animal care first. The owner, Morgan, is incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to help with questions or guidance. You can tell she truly cares about every animal, even hatching some herself. Great place for reptiles, fish, and more. She also boards the animals when you go out of town.”
— Jennifer Dilworth5.03 months ago“Best in the area. Incredibly kind staff and the owner is genuine, knowledgeable and incredibly passionate about the community she serves and the animals she cares for. I would highly recommend this woman owned business for its ethics and selection. We are lucky to have something this special in the area. Clearly a very warm, kind and reputable business. I would highly recommend to all!”
— D C5.03 months ago“Love this joint for anything animal related. Owner is kick ass and the staff are fairly knowledgeable”
— Raymond Spinelli5.03 months ago“Is truly is such a knowledgeable place they take care of it their animals extremely well and they are severely knowledgeable I suggest going to this pet store for your reptile needs and fish needs”
— Brïzze Meow.5.03 months ago“It is a great store to find everything you need for your scale babies”
— Courteney Bresett5.03 months ago“Amazing variety of pet food and supplies. Their curbside pickup is super fast and efficient. Great job!”
— Arafatul Islam Saon5.0a week ago“Homegrown is the only place I trust for my reptiles needs. Morgan is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful to keep my kids in top condition. On top of all the feeding supplies she has in stock she also has the set up and maintenance equipment. She boards when I have to go out of town. All the creatures Ive gotten from the store are healthy and ethically bred. I highly recommend this for any of your exotics needs.”
— Michele Flecchia5.02 months ago“I recommend this store and Morgan a million times over. She’s very knowledgeable and if she doesn’t know how to help she will figure it out!”
— Meg Martin5.02 months ago“Wanted to buy a betta fish they had for 6.99 the seller asked about it's habitat and gave me there advice then said it was up to me on habitat then after a long bit of there advice they changed there mind and would not sell me the fish and so I wanted to buy the fish and the temporary habitat it was in seller said they would need to ask there boss that he said he cant get a hold of,I thought the advice for a half hour was a little extreme for a 6.99 betta fish then get denied after so I'll take my business elsewhere and I bought one and plan to get a 2nd next week I understand the stricked advice if it was a costly animal but over a 6.99 common fish was bizarre”
— Tracy Cowan1.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (802) 622-8040 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting HomeGrown Scales.