We are proud to reveal the aquarium stores that you voted as the best in the UK for the 2025 PFK Readers' Poll.
Most people at this time of year will be getting exciting for the upcoming festive period. Whether that is thanks to getting a break from work, having an excuse to eat plenty of food or just more time with the family. We fishkeepers have another thing on our minds, though: What are the best aquatic shops in the UK this year?
Well, the time is finally here and we are pleased to be able to share the results with you all. A huge thank you to everyone that voted. Once again, we had a brilliant turn out, ensuring the results represent a large chunk of the fishkeeping community.
Well done to all the stores, whether long term favourites or newcomers to the aquatic scene. Your passion for aquariums has made a lasting impact on your customers. You should be immense proud of what you are achieving.
I think that is probably enough waffling, so let’s get right to it.
Aquatic retailer of the year
Winner: Maidenhead Aquatics
They have done it again, their vast array of stores all over the country ensure that they are there to support all fishkeepers. Each store has their own specialities, but when you visit one you know they’ll have something you need.
Runner-up: Premier Aquatics
Coming in second again this year, and what a successful year it has been. They have recently opened a second store located in Warrington to accompany the existing one in Runcorn.
Online aquarium retailer of the year
Winner: Maidenhead Aquatics
Once again, they have topped the poll for online retail with their website. They have a wide range of products for all niches and exclusive online offers that you won’t see in their stores.
Runner-up: Charterhouse Aquatics
They come in second in a repeat of last year’s results. They have an impressive range of dry goods to choose from. Plus, there are plenty of deals to help you save when buying everything you need to start up an aquarium. They also offer live corals and inverts for reefers, with some wonderful pieces available to pick from.
Independent aquatic retailer of the year
Winner: Premier Aquatics
They have done it again! A store – well, two stores now – filled with a great balance of common fish species and the unusual oddball. They cater for everyone in the freshwater hobby making them incredibly popular.
Runner-up: Wirral Aquatics
A newcomer is taking the runner-up slot this year. Having only opened in September 2024, they have quickly established themselves as one of the best aquatic stores in the UK. Powered by the knowledge and passion of the owner, Stephen Halsey, and the fantastic team. They work tirelessly to support their customers.
Marine retailer of the year
Winner: Wharf Aquatics
A name that often graces these pages each year, and for good reason. They have a perfect blend of knowledge, experience and passion in their team and the livestock offering is second to none. Literally. They first received the winner’s medal for marine fish back in 2006, just 18 months after opening their marine department.
Runner-up: Finest Aquatics
Continuing to provide top notch marine livestock year on year. It shows with this repeat of last year’s results coming in a close second once again.
Coral retailer of the year
Winner: Wharf Aquatics
Not only great for marine fish, but they excel with the coral selection too. A double win in the salty categories this year surely shows they are worth travelling to for all reefers.
Runner-up: Finest Aquatics
They weren’t quite able to retain the winners medal this year, but second is still a wonderful achievement. They have a wonderful selection of corals and some excellent offers, including the rather enticing mystery boxes.
Aquascaping retailer of the year
Winner: Horizon Aquatics
The aquascaping world continues to thrive and Horizon does, too. With a stunning gallery of aquariums featuring various styles, you will certainly feel inspired if you visit. They have more hardscape than you could ever dream of and plenty of epic plants available both in store and online.
Runner-up: Aquarium Gardens
Second place, and given they have just relocated to a new, larger, store, exciting things are surely ahead. More displays, more hardscape, more plants and even a table to sit and discuss ideas with the knowledgeable staff.
Cichlid retailer of the year
Winner: Premier Aquatics
Claiming top spot for cichlids this year, the independent retailer of the year excels at cichlids as well. They have regular offerings of some forgiving fish suitable for beginners, and imports of wild acidophilic specialist species.
Runner-up: Wharf Aquatics
Dropping to runners up this time after winning last year. However, that is no reflection on the diversity, or quality of fish that they offer. From Rift Valley specialities to wild angelfish and everything in between, they have you covered!
Catfish retailer of the year
Winner: Wharf Aquatics
They top the leaderboard for the Siluriformes this year. As long term readers will know all to well, this shop in Nottingham is the place to be for all things whiskered and brown. 
Runner-up: Premier Aquatics
A close second, and a switch around from the cichlid category. Allocate plenty of time for browsing here so that you do not miss any of the cryptic cats lurking in the sales tanks.
Oddball fish retailer of the year
Winner: Wharf Aquatics
Another gold medal for them in this category and it is thoroughly deserved. A shop that imports a chunky electric eel with several other Gymnotiformes will always do well in this category!
Runner-up: Premier Aquatics
Following closely behind Wharf yet again. Stores that stock plenty of wonderful catfish are highly likely to be stocking other fascinating oddballs too. It shows with the winner and runner-up being the same across these two categories this year.
Discus retailer of the year
Winner: Wirral Aquatics
Taking gold after being runner up independent retailer of the year. Clearly, they’ve already made a lasting impression on discus fans to have stormed into a winning position so fast.
Runner-up: Premier Aquatics
They fill the runner-up slot once again, showing how well they cater for aquarists across the board. They regularly import some wonderful wild discus gaining them a good reputation for this beautiful cichlid.
Pond retailer of the year
Winner: Wharf Aquatics
Completing their haul this year with the gold medal in the outdoor hobby. This gives them a hat-trick of awards across the three key areas of fishkeeping: marine, freshwater and ponds. A huge congratulations to the whole team!
Runner-up: Fishkeeper Southwest
They were winners last year, but this year they’ll have to settle for runners up. The pond section was extremely well presented during our On The Road event. Therefore, we are not surprised that they are up near the top again this year!
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Top 40 fish shops in the UK
- Amwell Aquatics
- Aquatic World Cardiff
- Byrkley Aquatics
- Charterhouse Aquatics
- Ely Aquatics and Reptiles
- Ely Exotics
- Emperor Tropicals
- Fish Planet
- Fishcave Aquatics
- FishCove Aquatics
- Fishkeeper Aberdeen
- Fishkeeper Coatbridge
- Fishkeeper Dundee
- Fishkeeper Inverness
- Fishkeeper Southwest
- Fishtopia
- Fur and Fins
- Horizon Aquatics
- Kidsgrove Tropicals
- King’s Aquatics
- Maidenhead Aquatics Ascot
- Maidenhead Aquatics Ashford
- Maidenhead Aquatics Farnham
- Maidenhead Aquatics Lincoln
- Maidenhead Aquatics St Mellons
- Maidenhead Aquatics Swansea Enterprise Park
- Maidenhead Aquatics Trowell
- Maidenhead Aquatics Wigan
- Mansfield Aquatics
- Pond Life Aquatics
- Premier Aquatics
- Riverside Aquaria
- Snuffle & Swim
- Sweet Knowle
- The Aquatic Store Bristol
- Tropical Supplies
- Weston aquatics
- Wharf Aquatics
- Wirral Aquatics
- Yorkshire Reefs
Take a look at last years results to see which stores are new on this list!
Best fish shop in your local region
North
Premier Aquatics
Wirral Aquatics
Scotland
Fishkeeper Aberdeen
Riverside Aquaria
Midlands
Wharf Aquatics
Kidsgrove Tropicals
Wales
Aquatic World Cardiff
Fur and Fins
West
Emperor Tropicals
The Aquatic Store Bristol
South
Fish Planet
Pond Life Aquatics
East
Weston Aquatics
Ely Aquatics and Reptiles
Northern Ireland
Maidenhead Aquatics Lisburn
Grosvenor Tropicals
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