About
" Despite a name that leads with "aquarium," this is a full-service pet shop in the Mid-Ohio Valley, but the freshwater fish room is its heart, and it's the reason hobbyists keep walking back through the door. " If you're hunting for freshwater fish for sale in Parkersburg, WV, this is one of the few independent fish stores in the area still carrying live aquarium stock rather than only dry goods. And the dry-goods selection runs deep.
Longtime customers point out that BV stocks aquarium equipment, substrates, cycling products, foods, and odds-and-ends the big-box chains skip, handy when you're setting up a new tank and want everything in one trip. Staff are happy to talk through tank setup, substrate choices, and freshwater care, and the shop has built its reputation on that kind of hands-on, in-person help. " Beyond the fish room, the store houses birds, reptiles, puppies, and small animals, making it a genuine one-stop animal shop for locals.
Feedback isn't unanimous, and some reviewers raise concerns about livestock care and pricing, but a deep bench of regulars keeps returning for the variety, the fair prices, and clean tanks you can browse in person. For freshwater fish and aquarium supplies near me, Parkersburg keepers have leaned on this Southside shop for decades.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at B V Southside Aquarium in Parkersburg, WV
B V Southside Aquarium stocks invertebrates and freshwater fish for sale in Parkersburg, WV. As a fish store serving Parkersburg, WV, it also carries dry goods, aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium setup and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Dry GoodsAquarium EquipmentFish FoodInvertebrates
- Services
- Tank SetupConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Clean, well-kept freshwater tanks that reviewers repeatedly call 'amazing'
- Community freshwater fish for sale in Parkersburg, WV including gouramis, mystery snails, and fresh stock at fair prices
- One of the area's few independent shops still carrying live aquarium stock alongside deep dry-goods, equipment, and food selection
- Hands-on, in-person help with tank setup, substrate choices, and cycling
- Longtime local fixture since the 1990s, also known for reptile feeders and the 'best crickets around'
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I've shopped at BV since the 1990's. Always excellent service and excellent people.”
— Shane Newland5.06 days ago“BV Aquarium lost their animals for a reason. I was a patron for many years (mainly for crickets/frozen mice, but the occasion lizard as well) before realizing the terrible conditions they keep the animals in. Overcrowding in tanks, bone diseases, skin issues, and visible bones (too skinny) are just a few I can name. If I could give them a zero, I would. I will NEVER recommend this place to someone who actually wants an animal that will thrive/live to their expected lifetime. The conditions they have their animals in are disgusting and will hinder the future of all of their animals. I'm disappointed to see the treatment these people dare put the animals through.”
— Angelina Dotson1.0Edited a week ago“It was a great experience.”
— Elizabeth Mitchem5.02 weeks ago“Lots of fresh fish. Good prices. I didn't need to much butter.”
— John Titor5.0a month ago“Prices are high”
— Teonna Hopkins3.02 months ago“This place is just a money grab they do not care about the wellbeing of their pets or the quality of what is being sold. I purchased two rats from this store at the end of January. They were both very sick. I'm pretty sure these were being sold as feeders but regardless to that they still need to be well taken care of to avoid giving illness to the reptiles they're being fed to. They cram as many animals as they can into one little area and do the bare minimum to keep them fed or cleaned. I went back to the store recently to check out their cage selection and overheard one of the staff members say "i don't care if it fell in wrong, you can starve for all I care." When supposedly caring for an animal. I didn't see what animal but at the end of the day that does not matter what the animal is it is the pet stores job to take care of them. I don't think I could get out of that store fast enough after I heard that. This is the types of people that they let work at a pet store where they're supposed to love and care for ALL pets they sell. They're all pretty rude there too. I haven't interacted with a single one that I would consider even remotely friendly including the owner. You're better off going to a chain petstore. Wish I could give 0”
— Lark Miller1.03 months ago“I love BV! Places like think we’re few and far between. I’ve been shopping here for 13 years now and have never been disappointed. They’ve been a huge part in fostering my love for fish and reptiles.”
— Gabrielle Jones5.03 months ago“Went to buy a ferret. Told me one price and went over to get it and they raised the price 100 dollars. Ended up going to Athens and bought 2 for less than what they wanted. Same supplier supplied both stores, Marshals.”
— James Wolfe1.04 months ago“If I could give them zero stars I absolutely would. The mistreatment of their animals is sickening. The snake posted they received in December (photo from their own Facebook) second photo is from a customer literally last week. Owners clearly aren’t interested in taking in any sort of constructive criticism to even try to provide better care for their animals.”
— Brittany Mckitrick1.04 months ago“Take better care of your reptiles!”
— Resse2.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (304) 485-1293 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting B V Southside Aquarium.