About
Tucked behind a building in Pasco, Washington, Shrimpin Ain't EZ is the kind of store you have to seek out — and reviewers agree it's absolutely worth the effort. Owner Thomas has built a freshwater specialty shop that punches well above its weight, with a focus on vibrant neocaridina shrimp, lush aquatic plants, and an ever-expanding roster of unusual livestock that keeps customers driving an hour or more to visit. The shrimp selection is the obvious draw.
Customers report taking home yellow shrimp that quickly establish thriving breeding colonies, and the coloration on everything in Thomas's tanks is consistently described as exceptional. But the plant inventory is what truly sets the shop apart from bigger competitors in the Tri-Cities area. Reviewers rave about tiger lotuses, exotic aquascaping species, and portions so generous they almost look fake — in a good way.
One customer noted that nothing they've bought from any local chain comes close in variety or quality. Beyond shrimp and plants, the tanks hold a rotating cast of freshwater fish, African dwarf frogs, baby axolotls, kuhli loaches, guppies, snails, and other oddball species that reward a slow browse. Multiple reviewers mention discovering creatures they'd never seen before.
Thomas recently expanded into aquarium and pond setup and maintenance services, giving Pasco hobbyists a full-service resource they previously lacked. What customers talk about most, though, is Thomas himself. He takes time to understand your specific tank, offers genuinely useful advice without any sales pressure, and will source items he doesn't have in stock.
Several reviewers describe conversations that stretched well past an hour — not because they were kept waiting, but because the enthusiasm is contagious. The shop is still growing and recently moved to a larger space, but the foundation — healthy livestock, outstanding plants, fair prices, and a passionate owner — is rock-solid.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Exceptional neocaridina shrimp with vibrant coloration that breed readily in home tanks
- One of the largest and healthiest aquatic plant selections in the Tri-Cities area, including rare aquascaping species
- Baby axolotls, African dwarf frogs, kuhli loaches, and other unusual freshwater livestock
- Owner Thomas provides in-depth, pressure-free consultations tailored to your specific tank
- Recently added aquarium and pond setup and maintenance services
From keepers
Customer reviews
“My kid loved seeing the baby axolotls. Great plant selection too.”
— Space Haze5.03 days ago“I love this store! Everything I get from here thrives in my aquariums, I bought 5 yellow shrimp a couple months ago now I have a whole colony of little yellow shrimp, I also got a handful of plants from there that have been growing like crazy. Good quality stuff and helpful staff.”
— McKenzie Hamilton5.0a week ago“Great selection! With great customer service! I got a beautiful tiger lotus and a stunning albino African dwarf frog. There are some unique varieties of plants, fish, and shrimp. Well worth the stop!”
— Dre’s A Picky Eater5.0Edited a week ago“Beautiful set up a lot of stuff you can’t find in other stores.”
— Rugged Wing Aviation5.02 weeks ago“Best store in town. Very friendly and knowledgeable.”
— Christopher Steen5.02 weeks ago“Great prices”
— Ervin D. Rosales Fuentes5.03 weeks ago“I have visited Shrimpin Ain't EZ twice now and have seen a lot of growth and improvements in an already beautiful display of aquariums and related products. From the diversity of aquatic plants to accent your tanks to the plethora of livestock available they seem to have almost anything the aspiring aquarium hobbyist could desire. I will definitely be returning, not only for the available products but for the pleasant and extremely knowledgeable owner that runs the establishment. 5/5 stars for sure”
— Aiden Meyers5.0a month ago“Thomas is amazing. He is very knowledgeable and definitely has a great selection of shrimp, plants and fish. Highly recommend 👌”
— Ana R5.0a month ago“The best plants, healthy and reasonably priced”
— Christine Coffey5.0a month ago“I was surprised by the large selection here! I was able to get all of the fish/invertebrates I came looking for (all generally common), and I saw many species I hadn’t previously known. I particularly love the giant kuhli loach I brought home. I also bought a couple of plants that are so healthy, they almost look fake! The shrimp I got are all extremely vibrant. The fish all look great. Everyone made it home and through the night, and I’m not seeing any signs of stress. I live about an hour away, but I’ll absolutely be coming back when I’m ready to add more to my tank (or gods forbid I end up setting up another one!)”
— Kenna Rhodes5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (509) 795-2525 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Shrimpin Ain't EZ.