Fishkeeping is a window to a peaceful underwater world right in your home. When I set up my first aquarium, I thought it would be as simple as picking a fish and a tank. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Finding a good fish pet shop in London made all the difference.
The shops I’ve compiled offer healthy fish, various supplies, and staff who explain things clearly without overcomplicating them. They helped me avoid mistakes and made the whole process much more manageable.
If you’re considering starting or upgrading your aquarium, picking the right shop is one of the most critical steps.
How we chose the best fish pet shop in London
- High-quality aquarium supplies: We checked for durable tanks, filters, and plants that suit all setups, ensuring shops stocked reliable and long-lasting products.
- Knowledgeable and friendly staff: We looked for shops with staff who genuinely love aquatic life, offering expert advice and personalised recommendations for fish care and maintenance.
- Extra services and support: We looked for shops offering added perks like water testing, setup help, and personalised care advice for ongoing support.
- Clean and inviting environment: A clean, well-maintained shop with clearly cared-for tanks is non-negotiable—it’s a sign of professionalism and dedication to aquatic health.
- Location and accessibility: Convenience matters, so we chose shops that were easy to access and welcoming for all fish enthusiasts in London.
1. Aquatic Design Centre
Address: 26 Zennor Rd
Phone: +442075806764
Business hours:
- Mon-Sun: 11:00am – 6:00pm
The Aquatic Design Centre is one of my favourite places in London for anything to do with fishkeeping. They have a great selection of fish, all healthy and kept in clean tanks.
They also have a great range of plants and aquarium supplies, including unique decorations to make your setup stand out.
What I liked most was how helpful and knowledgeable the staff were. They didn’t just try to sell me things—they listened to what I needed and advised me on setting up and maintaining my tank.
They offer services like custom aquarium designs and maintenance, which I found helpful if you want something personalised or need help running things smoothly.
Parking nearby can be tricky, but it’s worth the trip if you’re serious about building or improving your aquarium.
Exceptional advice and support
“I stumbled across this place a few months ago and I am so happy I did!! This has to be the best aquatic shop ever!! Not only is there so many variety of fish but the advice, guidance and support I got from Nick was at another level. I grew up with having a fish tank and it was a hobby I took over from my father. However, recently I noticed the fish seemed unhappy and the tank was always dirty even though I cleaned it regularly. I was stuck. I explained this to Nick and he knew exactly what to do and went out of his way to help. He is amazing and I cannot thank him enough for all the help and advice he gave me. My tank now looks incredible it’s really a joy to look at and it is all thanks to Nick and this place. They’re absolutely fantastic – I recommend them wholeheartedly.”
- Saher Usmani, Google Review
Goldfish care made so easy
“I had an amazing experience with Danny when I went to buy my goldfish! Unlike other local shops that just hand you a fish with little to no information, Danny went above and beyond to make sure I was fully prepared. He not only helped me pick out the perfect fish but also took the time to test my water and explain why water quality is so important for goldfish. Danny provided so much helpful information on what to do and what to avoid, giving me confidence that I could care for my new pet properly. His knowledge and customer service truly set him apart from other stores. Highly recommend Danny if you’re looking for expert advice and great customer care!”
- Laiba Imran, Google Review
2. Kingfisheries Aquarium
Address: 308-310 Croydon Rd, Beckenham BR3 4HR
Phone: +442086503716
Business hours:
- Mon-Sat: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Sun: Closed
Kingfisheries Aquarium stands out with its variety of aquarium supplies, from tanks and filters to live and frozen food. They also stock pond accessories, which makes them a one-stop shop for water features.
The staff are knowledgeable and ready to help with advice, whether setting up a tank for the first time or upgrading an existing one.
The availability of pre-mixed saltwater and RO water is an added convenience for marine enthusiasts.
The shop itself is organised and well-stocked, though so stock changes often as rare fishes sell out quickly. Kingfisheries also offer gift vouchers, a nice touch for gifting fishkeeping enthusiasts.
Amazing selection of fish
“Great plants – very green and grow fast
Amazing selection of fish and good for fish bits and bobs. They even have really nice saltwater reef fish , looks cool
Haven’t seen the koi but they have a whole pond section outside
Would reccomend for any fishkeeper in the area.”
- Lara South, Google Review
The owner are hands-on
“The owner was very knowledgeable and helpful. Bought a juvenile flowerhorn and a red tail catfish. Every time i have been there i was not disappointed due to the wide selection of fishes compared to the other fish shops I’ve been to. Definitely recommend.”
- Chan-ellie basco, Google Review
3. Lynchford Aquatics
Address: 46 Peabody Rd, North Camp, Farnborough GU14 6EY
Phone: +44 1252 542951
Business hours:
- Mon-Sat: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Sun: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Lynchford Aquatics is a fantastic place for anyone who is into aquariums or ponds. I was amazed by how many fish they had—over 150 tanks filled with tropical, marine, and coldwater fish, all looking healthy and active.
They also have a seasonal pond section with fish, plants, and everything you need to keep your pond in great shape.
The staff gave me helpful advice on equipment and fish care, which made it easier to make decisions. They also offer services to help install or maintain aquariums or ponds, which is great if you’re not confident doing it yourself.
I also noticed they carry trusted brands like AquaEl and aquaOne, so you know you’re getting quality.
The shop is open seven days a week, which is convenient. Custom services, though, might require booking ahead.
Amazing fish and advice
“Fantastic aquatic centre in Farnborough/ north camp, all the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.
Popped up there to get some advice on how I could improve my fish tank and which fish would be suitable in the same community.
They have an amazing selection of well looked after, healthy fish, plants and more.
I happily came away with some black neon tetras and some amazing orange coloured guppies to go with my rummy noses who are settling in perfectly.
Highly recommended, I will definitely be back in the future.”
- Peta Shilston, Google Review
Fantastic selection, worth visiting
“I’ve returned to keeping fish after 20yrs out of the hobby.
All the staff are really helpful and gave me quality direction to assist me as essentially a new comer. I’ve started with a small set up with only 3 fish but it’s coming along fantastically as a result of following guidance from the shop. I will return regularly as the hobby becomes more of an obsession!
The shop is great, fantastic selection of fish and lovely looking batta fish, of which is my aim to have one for a second tank.
Great shop, great knowledge and worth the travel if you are out of the area.”
- Trusted One, Google Review
4. The Fish Bowl
Address: 133 Dawes Rd
Phone: +44 20 7385 6005
Business hours:
- Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Thur, Sun: Closed
The Fish Bowl in Fulham has a great selection of healthy fish, and the staff is always ready to help.
When I visited, Emma, who works there, gave me some really useful advice on choosing the right fish and tank. You can tell she really knows her stuff and cares about what she’s doing.
The shop also has many supplies, like potted plants and different-sized tanks.
They even offer boarding for specialist pets, which is a nice touch. The place feels friendly and like a genuine part of the local community.
It can get busy sometimes, so you might have to wait for help. But the quality of service and care this shop provides makes it worth it.
Friendly staff, great selection
“Absolutely AMAZING shop. I’m disappointed at myself for not discovering this hidden gem of a shop years before. They have a wonderful selection of various fishes. Staff are very friendly, I hope Emma didn’t mind me asking so many questions, but a big thanks to her and her expertise, she was very helpful.
I will say, if your after tropical fishes and your in central London or zone 2, then This is amongst the best.
Reasonable prices and fantastic choices.”
- Lee A., Google Review
Best tropical fish shop
“A wonderful pet shop with very helpful and lovely staff. I couldn’t believe how big it was and the variety of products available. I went to browse the fish section for filter service kit which was very reasonably priced. They have a huge selection of fish products and a big range of fish for sale. Very impressed, will be returning soon!”
- Holli Littlefair, Google Review
5. Fish Planet
Address: 2 Wells Terrace, Finsbury Park
Phone: +44 20 7263 6142
Business hours:
- Mon-Sun: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Fish Planet stands out as London’s #1 most-followed aquatic store on Instagram, and it’s easy to see why.
I was amazed by their variety of fish, including tropical, coldwater, and unique species like axolotls and turtles. They also have a great selection of live plants and materials for aquascaping (like rocks and driftwood), which made it easy to customise my tank.
The staff were passionate about aquariums. They gave me helpful advice on creating a healthy environment for my fish.
Beyond what most shops provide, they even offer services like aquascaping and pet sitting.
The shop is open daily, and their long hours make it super convenient to visit. The shop is small, though, so it can feel crowded during busy times.
Knowledgeable staff assistance
“Highly recommendable: I went to Fish Planet at Finsbury Park the other day. I have a little tank and wanted to get a few new fish. I wasn’t sure which ones would go well together, but Christopher was very helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks to their great selection of fish and products, I have now a few new happy members in my tank!
Thanks a lot again!”
- Sonja Chan, Google Review
Small shop, big service
“The shop is small, but it has a wide variety of fish.
It’s my first time here. When I entered the shop, someone greeted me and encouraged me to look around, assuring me they would be with me shortly.
Although the shop was quite busy, I only had to wait a few minutes before it was my turn. The staff member who assisted me was very helpful and took the time to explain everything.
I would definitely recommend this shop. Everyone there is very friendly, and they have late opening hours.
I will definitely come back.
- M. Held., Google Review
