B V Southside Aquarium

B V Southside Aquarium in Parkersburg, West Virginia is a full-service pet store that lives up to the 'aquarium' in its name while casting a much wider net. The shop stocks a broad selection of freshwater fish — gouramis, mystery snails, and more — alongside clean, well-maintained tanks that reviewers consistently praise. But fish are just the beginning: birds (lovebirds, conures), reptiles, puppies, bunnies, and ball pythons all share floor space, making this a genuine one-stop destination for animal lovers in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

The aquarium side of the business is where the store's roots show. Staff regularly help customers set up new tanks, recommend substrates and cycling products, and walk through care requirements for various freshwater species. The supply selection runs deep enough that longtime hobbyists note finding items here that the big-box chains simply don't carry, often at better prices.

Feeders, crickets, and specialty foods round out the inventory for reptile and amphibian keepers. Nail trims for dogs are another draw, bringing in a steady stream of repeat visitors who appreciate the convenience and friendly handling. Multiple reviewers highlight the store's cleanliness — always a telling sign in a shop housing this many species under one roof — and the staff's willingness to field questions on everything from python feeding schedules to bird behavior.

The experience isn't flawless. A few customers have reported frustrations with the store's 24-hour livestock guarantee and occasional communication lapses, particularly around sick animals. These complaints are worth noting, though they're outnumbered by positive accounts of helpful, patient interactions.

What keeps Parkersburg locals coming back is the combination of variety, fair pricing, and a staff that genuinely engages with customers' questions. It's a community pet shop in the truest sense — the kind of place where you walk in for crickets and leave with a lovebird that, as one buyer put it, makes you wonder how you ever got through life without it.