About
Tucked into downtown St Johnsbury, AquaRealm Aquarium & Pets has become a lifeline for animal enthusiasts in Vermont's rural Northeast Kingdom. Owned and operated by DJ, Melissa, and a tight-knit crew of genuinely passionate staffers, this compact shop punches well above its weight, stocking freshwater and saltwater fish alongside reptiles, birds, small mammals, and their signature draw — axolotls. For aquarium hobbyists in particular, AquaRealm fills a real gap.
Multiple reviewers note the difficulty of finding quality fish and aquarium supplies in such a remote area, and the store consistently delivers a solid freshwater fish selection plus the gear to support new and established tanks. One customer recounted a staff member staying 45 minutes past closing to walk them through a new aquarium setup, answering every question without a hint of impatience. That kind of devotion shows up again and again in reviews — a phone call from Florida about betta care got the same careful, knowledgeable treatment as an in-person visit.
The reptile side is equally robust. Bearded dragon owners rely on AquaRealm for hornworms, crickets, and terrarium supplies, and the staff has earned a reputation for proactive safety advice, like warning customers away from feeding toxic tomato worms to their beardies. The shop also carries supplies for crested geckos and will special-order food they don't have in stock.
Beyond the merchandise, the store has personality. Sweetie, a 17-year-old chinchilla who apparently delights in startling visiting dogs, is a beloved fixture. Isopod collections, degus, tarantulas, and frogs round out a menagerie that makes every visit feel like a discovery.
People drive over an hour to shop here, and the consensus is clear: the staff's genuine care for animals and customers alike makes AquaRealm worth the trip.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- AxolotlsBettas
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterSaltwater
Highlights
What makes them special
- Axolotls regularly in stock — a signature draw for the store
- Staff stayed 45 minutes past closing to help a customer with a new aquarium setup
- Knowledgeable betta and freshwater fish advice available even by phone
- Comprehensive reptile supplies including hornworms and crickets for bearded dragons
- Will special-order food and supplies not currently in stock
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Top-notch service! The owners really care about animals. It’s definitely the best local pet shop in the area.”
— Arafatul Islam Saon5.0a week ago“Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and super helpful!”
— Siarra Towle5.02 weeks ago“Big selection, nice place, I however do not like the return policy”
— sn0wshooter (sn0wshooter)3.04 months ago“It's a cute store, I've gotten a couple of critters from here. Staff are always friendly, and the animals are well taken care of.”
— Rileyyy4.07 months ago“Stopped in here on a rainy day over Memorial Day weekend with my 16 year old son & my dog. The staff was amazing and friendly. The told us about Sweetie, the 17 year old chinchilla (not for sale) who loves to startle dogs. The degus were also very cute and captured our interest. The staff was so friendly that they even showed us the isopods that they had. It was great as my son is very interested in them. We all left with a great experience and my dog ended up with a new toy :)”
— Kristen Rehs5.08 months ago“Was ok I ended buying two rats all 107.45”
— Marie Rivera4.08 months ago“Absolutely love this place. They're incredibly helpful with questions regarding their stock and animals they carry, are always approachable and respectful, and have a wide selection of your typical pet stuff for all sorts of critters. They've helped me multiple times with my fish tank questions, and carry so many supplies for a hobby that can be difficult to find in a rural area like St. J. An excellent place to support!”
— ham sley5.09 months ago“Carry a nice range of pets (fish, snakes, frogs, turtles, bearded dragons, tarantulas, lizards, birds, etc). Really friendly staff. Great little spot.”
— Hannah Heinchon5.09 months ago“DJ, Melissa and all the staff are extremely helpful and knowledgeable! It's always a pleasure to talk with them, and know that all my questions and pet needs will be handled in the best possible way!! I appreciate you all!!”
— Tammy Lavoie5.010 months ago“⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟”
— Justin Flanders5.010 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (802) 748-8858 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting AquaRealm Aquarium & Pets.