Where to Buy Aquarium Fish in Singapore: What to Check Before You Bring Fish Home
Singapore is one of the best cities in Asia for aquarium fish sourcing. From the famous fish farms along Jalan Lekar to specialist planted tank shops and online retailers, the variety and quality available here is exceptional. But buying healthy fish requires knowing what to look for — regardless of where you shop.
Where to Buy Aquarium Fish in Singapore
Local Fish Farms (Sungei Tengah / Jalan Lekar)
Singapore's aquaculture farms along Sungei Tengah Road and Jalan Lekar export fish worldwide. Retail customers can visit some farms directly on weekends. Prices are often significantly lower than shops, and variety is exceptional — particularly for livebearers, guppies, and common tropical species.
Specialist Aquarium Shops
Singapore has excellent specialist shops for planted tanks, shrimp, and rare fish. Staff at specialist shops typically have deep knowledge of the species they carry.
Online Aquarium Retailers (FishyHub)
Online stores like FishyHub offer door-to-door delivery across Singapore. Benefits include:
- Wider variety than most physical stores
- Detailed species information and care guides
- Livestock photographed and described accurately
- No need to transport fish yourself
- Delivery in insulated, oxygenated bags
General Pet Shops
Chain pet shops carry common fish (guppies, mollies, platies, common tetras). Quality varies — check tanks carefully before buying.
What to Check Before Buying Fish
1. Observe the Store Tank
Before looking at individual fish, assess the tank they are kept in:
- Any dead fish in the tank? Even one dead fish is a red flag — it raises ammonia and stresses tankmates
- Is the tank overcrowded? Stressed, overcrowded fish are more disease-prone
- Is the water clear? Cloudy or discoloured water indicates poor conditions
- Are the fish active? Listless fish hovering at the surface or hiding in corners are stressed or unwell
2. Examine Individual Fish
Signs of a healthy fish:
- Swimming actively with fins fully extended
- Full, rounded body (not hollow-bellied)
- Clear eyes (not cloudy or sunken)
- Intact fins (no tears, rot, or fraying)
- Normal colouration — vivid and consistent with the species
- Eating at the surface if feeding is happening
Red flags:
- White spots on fins or body (ich)
- Gold or rusty dust appearance (velvet)
- Clamped fins
- Hovering near the filter or surface, breathing rapidly
- Hollow belly
- Any visible sores, ulcers, or red patches
3. Ask How Long the Fish Have Been in Store
Fish that have just arrived (within 24–48 hours) are in maximum transit stress. Asking this question also signals to the shop that you are an informed buyer. Ideally, buy fish that have been in store for at least 3–5 days and are actively eating.
4. Check for Compatibility
Verify before purchasing:
- Water parameter compatibility with your tank (pH, temperature, hardness)
- Temperament compatibility with existing fish
- Adult size — a 3 cm shop fish may grow to 25 cm
Getting Fish Home Safely
- Do not leave fish in bags longer than 2 hours in Singapore's heat without insulation
- Float the bag in the tank for 15–20 minutes to equalise temperature before opening
- Acclimatise slowly — add small amounts of tank water to the bag over 20–30 minutes before releasing fish
- Do not add bag water to the tank — the water from a shop or delivery bag may carry disease
- Quarantine new fish for 2–4 weeks in a separate tank before adding to the main display
Browse our freshwater livestock collection — all fish available for delivery across Singapore with safe, insulated packaging.