Friendly Fish Aquatics: Your Local Experts in Healthy Fish and Honest Advice

Friendly Fish Aquatics isn’t just a shop—it’s a little slice of fishkeeping heaven  in Essex we’ve built from the ground up, driven by a love of fish and helping people enjoy the hobby.

I’m Barry, and alongside my wife Julie, we run Friendly Fish Aquatics. If you’d told me when I was a kid that I’d be running a fish shop one day, I’d have been over the moon. It all started when I was about 7 years old, staring in awe at a tank full of goldfish at Debden Pet Shop in Loughton. From there, I was hooked—pardon the pun. I got my first fish tank (a second-hand 90-litre one), and I spent most weekends visiting fish shops, ticking species off my “fish bucket list” and taking notes like a proper fish nerd.

Fast forward to now, and Friendly Fish is everything I wanted as a kid: a place where fish are healthy, tanks look inspiring, and customers leave with advice they can trust. Now I am now a big Fish nerd.

Want to know more about how it all started? Check out Our Story.

Want to meet the Team? Click Here

Why We’re Different

Let’s be honest, not every fish shop gets it right. I’ve visited hundreds over the years, and I kept seeing the same things—empty blue tanks, stressed fish, and a lack of real care. That didn’t sit right with me. When we opened our doors in 2017, we made a promise:

Friendly Fish would do better.

• Every fish in our shop is healthy, thanks to our thorough quarantine system. We’ve got 30 dedicated tanks to make sure they’re all fighting fit before they go home with you.
• We don’t do boring, bare tanks. Every tank here is designed to inspire ideas for your own setup and enrich the fish life  that lives in them.
• Honest advice only. Whether you’re brand new to the hobby or have been keeping fish for years, we’ll help you make the right choices without any sales fluff. 

Check our commitment to fish welfare

A Bit About Us

We’ve got years of experience keeping everything from tropical community fish to tricky species, so when you ask us a question, you’re getting advice we’ve actually put into practice.

You’ll often find Julie behind the counter, having a good chat with regulars, while I’m probably fiddling around with the tanks or showing someone how to set up their first fish tank. We’re a small team (just the two of us), but we like it this way and we feel it makes it more personal, something you do not get in big stores.

Your in Safe Hands 

 In December 2024, both Julie and I completed fish nutrition training with SERA, a global expert, so we can help you understand exactly what your fish need to thrive. In November 2024 We were inspected by licencing office and  received the maximum  5 Star pet Licence.

 Ever Wondered What Goes Into Earning a 5-Star Pet Shop License? Click here

The Best Part of What We Do

One of my favourite moments was when a family came in to set up their son’s first fish tank. He was buzzing with excitement picking out Guppies and plants, and a few weeks later, they brought in a hand-drawn picture of his tank to show us. Moments like that remind us why we do this—it’s not just about selling fish, it’s about sharing the joy of fishkeeping.

Come Say Hello

Whether you’re after some new fish, want advice on feeding, or just fancy a chat about your setup, we’d love to see you. Friendly Fish Aquatics is here to help you make fishkeeping simple, enjoyable, and stress-free.

Pop in for a visit, have a look around, and see for yourself why we’re different.

Cheers,