About
9-star average across 281 reviews the loyalty is easy to understand. Walk in and the first thing regulars mention is the lack of any fishy smell; the tanks are spotless, the fish are active, and customers report stock thriving for years, surviving cross-state moves without a hitch. The livestock runs deep for a shop this size.
Recent visitors praise a beautiful "wall of bettas," plus neocaridina and amano shrimp, mystery and assassin snails, guppies, mollies, platies, plecos, and African dwarf frogs. The team is known for rare, hard-to-find freshwater varieties you won't see at the box stores, so there's almost always unique fish for sale in Monona, WI worth the trip. Planted-tank keepers single out the live plant inventory, which reviewers call larger and better-priced than most shops, alongside rocks and driftwood for aquascaping anything from a low-tech shrimp bowl to a 90-gallon showcase.
What truly sets the place apart is the staff. Katie, Will, Cody, and Tristan each earn repeat shoutouts for patience and real knowledge, talking customers out of overstocking, recommending a wait before adding fish, and offering free water testing and compatibility advice rather than just ringing up a sale. The Golden Guppy also stocks Aquarium Co-Op products, runs a tank-cleaning service that revives neglected setups, and buys back home-bred shrimp and African dwarf frogs for store credit, a nice touch for small hobbyists.
For healthy freshwater fish, shrimp, and live plants available in Monona, WI, backed by a team that genuinely wants your tank to succeed, this is the local shop the community keeps recommending.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Golden Guppy in Monona, WI
The Golden Guppy stocks shrimp, betta fish, livebearers, plecos, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Monona, WI. As a fish store serving Monona, WI, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers water testing, tank maintenance, aquarium setup, tank cleaning and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Spotless, odor-free tanks with healthy, long-lasting freshwater fish
- Standout "wall of bettas" plus rare, hard-to-find freshwater species
- Live plant selection larger and better-priced than most shops
- Free water testing, stocking advice, and a tank-cleaning service
- Buy-back store credit for home-bred shrimp and African dwarf frogs; carries Aquarium Co-Op products
From keepers
Customer reviews
“thought this was a sushi restaurant but instead i left with really hard working plecostomuses... which reminds me they have super clean bathrooms...”
— Chance Boudreaux5.0a week ago“Highly recommended!! Will is amazing 👏”
— Megan J Whalen5.0a week ago“Good, healthy fish and Inverts here with a more diverse selection than other local fish stores. Staff are always helpful as well”
— Liam Leuwerke5.0a month ago“Absolutely love this store! Katie and Will are truly exceptional, and the level of customer service here is unmatched. Even when the store is busy, the staff takes the time to work with every individual and family to make sure everyone leaves happy and well taken care of. Their freshwater fish selection is incredible — they consistently carry rare, unique, and hard-to-find varieties you won’t see elsewhere. The tanks are always spotless, and the fish are healthy, active, and clearly well cared for. This is hands-down my go-to shop for all of my freshwater aquarium needs.”
— Kelley Stout5.0a month ago“Cool little fish store worth checking out. The fish are healthy, the variety of decent and the staff are helpful. Will return if I'm ever in the area again.”
— NewtHub5.0a month ago“Great customer service”
— Alvin Christianson5.02 months ago“Everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable. It’s my favorite place to go in town and I’m always happy to find a reason to stop in. Almost all of my fish, shrimp, snails, rocks and driftwood and plants are from them. Katie has gone out of her way to help us out on multiple occasions. We just love this little place!”
— Emily Neumeier Arkens5.02 months ago“This is my primary local fish shop. I have only gotten healthy fish and shrimps from them. Including otos, which are notoriously in poor health by the time they arrive at fish store. I have also given them my extra neocardina shrimps for store credit. Which is fantastic as a small hobbiest.”
— Charlie Hilpert (Faith)5.02 months ago“I just built a new home and wanted some new Unique fish and hearty aquatic plants. Golden Guppy once again delivered both requirements big time. Katie was great as usual in selection of both. Thank you sooo much! Dane County should be proud of such a great local business and staff!”
— Pete Macho5.02 months ago“Great fish store, great advice on tank health!”
— Dominica Raven Greenlee5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (608) 405-5548 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Golden Guppy.