We are Maidenhead Aquatics

Fishkeeping is our passion

From the day we opened the first store in the centre of the town of Maidenhead in 1984, Maidenhead Aquatics has evolved into the UK’s top destination for fishkeeping and aquatic supplies. With over 130 stores nationwide and a well-established online store, we are consistently being recognised as the industry leader. Once again, this year we won the two prestigious awards of the Practical Fishkeeping’s Readers Poll, as the UK’s Number 1 Aquatics Retailer and Online Retailer for 2024!

Back in 1984, David Lawrence, founded Maidenhead Aquatics after working within the industry, along with many years of having a keen interest in tropical fish and water gardening. Our original store, located in King Street, gained popularity after a year or so due to high levels of customer service as well as the offering of aquarium and pond maintenance outside the store. Around five years later the store relocated about five miles away to Bourne End Garden Centre to provide additional space that would enable us to stock many more lines to keep up with demand. This store was around six times the size of our first store.

Since then, the business has expanded rapidly, to now over 130 stores nationwide, run by around 50 owner/business partners, all with a passionate interest in fishkeeping and a dedication for customer service. Partners are encouraged to specialise in their own individual areas of fishkeeping excellence, ensuring that every Maidenhead Aquatics store is unique and maintained through best practice fishkeeping and quality customer service. David continues as our CEO to this day, sharing his vast experience of fishkeeping and love of the hobby with the wider business as it evolves.

We believe that one of the most enjoyable parts of fishkeeping should be visiting a good store, providing you with the knowledge, inspiration and enthusiasm to develop different aspects of your hobby. Be that from the first beginner aquarium, all the way through to a state-of-the-art reef aquarium.

You can find out more about how we have grown and evolved to meet the needs of our customers here.

We firmly believe that one of the key ingredients to our success is employing fishkeepers and our stores are staffed by people who share your enthusiasm for fishkeeping. If you’ve visited more than one of our stores, you’ll know that as the UK’s leading aquatic chain with outlets nationwide, each branch has its own character and specialities. This is what makes Maidenhead Aquatics unique allowing individual stores to bring their expertise, interests, and understanding of local communities to the brand, while still retaining the values of the wider Maidenhead Aquatics brand. This creates a family of stores that, while united under one name, offer distinct experiences tailored to the diverse needs of fishkeepers nationwide. From rare fish species to specialised equipment, you can guarantee that every store provides a blend of personal knowledge and commitment to help customers create and care for vibrant aquatic environments. Meet some of our people here.

We’re all about the fish!

Our mission is to promote responsible fishkeeping and enhance the well-being of aquatic life through education, quality products, and expert support. With a commitment to innovation, we are dedicated to continuing to expand the hobby through both our in-store, online and mobile phone ‘Fishkeeper’ app experiences, helping customers create thriving aquatic environments full of happy, healthy fish.

For fishkeepers, there is no substitute for experiencing our products and livestock firsthand, and our extensive fish houses are second to none in the UK with an extensive array of freshwater and marine species available for you to come in and see and select the fish you want in our stores across the country. All are fully Pet Shop Licensed to ensure that we the required criteria of care for our livestock.

Your fish are at the centre of everything we do, and their welfare is our top priority, so we always aim to abide by the following code of practice:

• We will not knowingly sell unhealthy livestock
• We will not sell species that are unsuitable for home aquaria or ponds
• We will not sell genetically modified fish
• We do not endorse the keeping of goldfish in bowls or aquaria of less than 13.5 litres (3 gallons) in capacity, as these are large fish requiring spacious accommodation as adults
• We will not sell inappropriate species for nano aquaria
• We will not sell fish and aquaria to the same customer on the same day
• We will not sell large numbers of fish for newly established aquaria
• We will not sell artificially coloured fish
• Wherever possible, we will encourage the use of techniques and products that avoid exposing fish to harmful water quality

It’s worth noting that since opening our second store, we have faced the complexity of pricing ornamental fish compared to standard products and regular goods. Our fish prices will fluctuate based on seasonality, source, time in store, exchange rates, production costs, and many other variables, making uniform pricing very challenging. Additionally, fish size affects transportation costs, leading to price variations. We generally source fish globally and from our carefully selected wholesalers, as well as our own in-store breeding, and we do occasionally accept livestock returns and breeding projects from our customers. We pride ourselves in only stocking the very best quality livestock, and as quality can vary among fish of the same species, we will often pay a premium for this higher-quality stock.

You can get a feel for the range of fish that we stock in our stores and some key care details about caring for those fish in our Databank here. If you have questions around tank compatibility our friendly team are on hand in-store to advise.

We’re run by fishkeepers for fishkeepers

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we are owned and operated by passionate fishkeepers. Our extensive knowledge and expertise make us a trusted source for all things related to fishkeeping. Our Board of Directors is made up of the same expert fishkeepers who have been part of the company for over 40 years!

With over 800 staff, based over 130 stores, you're never far away from all the help and experience you might need.

Our staff are at the heart of everything we do. Their experience, dedication and expert advice has enriched the hobby nationwide for first-time fishkeepers and experienced aquarists alike and there is nothing they like more that chatting with you about your aquarium or pond! They are passionate hobbyists themselves who have chosen to turn their passion into a career.  Our staff immerse themselves daily in the latest products and innovations and are experts in looking after our vast range of livestock in line with the highest welfare standards in the industry. Our large number of 5* rated stores across the UK are a testament to this.

If you have any concerns about an existing aquarium or pond, looking to start a brand-new project, or just want to get advice on the best product for your needs, please pop into your local store and speak to one of our friendly staff who will be more than happy to assist.

We are very proud to profile just a selection of some of our fantastic staff members, where you can discover more about them- be it their favourite fish, best fishkeeping experience or their top tips for an amazing aquarium!

Meet some of our team: https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/team

Our product ranges support happy, healthy fish

Not only do we stock all your favourite traditional aquatics brands online and in our stores, but we are also extremely proud of our exclusive ranges that we have developed to meet the specific needs of your fish.

These brands have been designed and developed by our teams of fish experts, based on years of hands-on experience in looking after fish, to meet the specific needs of the fish.

AquaCare Foods and Test Kits

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquacare-information

AquaOak Aquariums

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquarium-products/aquariums?brand=Aqua%20Oak

Fishkeeper

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquarium-products/aquariums?brand=Fishkeeper

AquaManta

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquarium-products/aquariums?brand=AquaManta

AquaPond Care

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/pond-products?brand=AquaPond%20Care

AquaMarin Aquariums

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/aquarium-products?brand=Aqua%20Marin

Aqua Nutrition Pond Food

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/pond-products?brand=Aqua%20Nutrition

We’re here for you and your hobby!

Maidenhead Aquatics is committed to supporting our customers with the highest quality guidance and resources, fostering a community of fishkeeping enthusiasts who share our love for aquatic life. Our knowledgeable teams are dedicated to helping customers create and maintain healthy, vibrant aquatic environments. Whether you are setting up your first tank or expanding a well-established pond, our staff will be there to offer expert guidance tailored to your unique needs, ensuring your aquarium or pond and its inhabitants thrive. We take pride in offering in-store consultations where customers can receive personalised advice, addressing everything from water quality and species compatibility to equipment selection and ongoing care. But don’t just take our word for it, take a look at some of the feedback from our customers:

Beyond in-store support, our expertise is accessible online through various resources designed to help customers become confident, successful aquarists. Our website's Fish Care section is packed with tips, guides, and insights to ensure customers have easy access to the information they need. Additionally, our FAQ section answers frequent questions, while our YouTube channel offers in-depth video tutorials and care demonstrations, making expert advice available anytime, anywhere.

As part of our mission to promote responsible fishkeeping at every opportunity, we recently launched our Fishkeeper app that gives expert advice, care tips, and maintenance reminders. This app provides fishkeepers with the knowledge to achieve the best practices, supporting the health and well-being of their aquatic pets and keeping track of all their water parameters and maintenance tasks. Find out more about the app here.

Giving back

As committed fishkeepers passionate about the hobby we are always looking at ways that we can enhance, extend and promote the fishkeeping hobby. We are doing this is a number of ways.

As part of our drive to keep the passion for fishkeeping alive for future generations, each year we run our unique ‘Fishkeeper Fry’ programme aimed at primary school children. Our Fishkeeper Fry programme offers a unique, free 8-week educational experience for primary school children aged 7-8. Developed by aquatic experts at Maidenhead Aquatics, the programme includes online instructional films, worksheets, and hands-on activities to teach children about fishkeeping. Participating schools receive a free aquarium and equipment to set up and care for their own fish, with support from expert fishkeepers. The programme aligns with the National Curriculum and aims to educate children on responsible fish care. To find out more about the programme and the schools that have taken part take a look here.

In addition, we are continuously and proactively working within the wider established fishkeeping industry to keep up standards and encourage responsible fish ownership. We have a presence on the Board of Directors at OATA (Ornamental Aquatic Trade Organisation) - the leading voice of the ornamental aquatic industry in the UK. OATA is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the trade, aiming to boost the industry's reputation by highlighting its benefits, upholding high standards, offering quality education and training, and encouraging responsible ownership and enjoyment among fish enthusiasts. Simon Langdale, a valued Senior Partner at Maidenhead Aquatics, has been an active member of OATA for many years. He sees his role as crucial in advocating for and protecting the trade, ensuring the welfare of livestock across the UK, and addressing key issues within the aquatic industry on behalf of businesses.

https://ornamentalfish.org/about-us/oata-directors/

Further afield in the world we are proud to be actively supporting the LINI Foundation in Bali via our in-store collection boxes and to date have raised over £4,700. LINI (the Indonesian word for ‘line’) is dedicated to sustainable marine resource development in Indonesia through science, education, and empowering coastal communities. Their vision is to protect marine biodiversity and improve the quality of life for Indonesia's coastal communities. The LINI community-based reef restoration programme in Bali aims to address coral reef depletion by revitalizing fish habitats and populations, reducing pressure on natural reefs. Maidenhead Aquatics supports this initiative by partnering with LINI to create artificial reefs in North Bali, providing new habitats for marine life and alternative income opportunities for fishers. Our commitment to preserving marine ecosystems includes raising awareness, educating locals, and actively contributing to the preservation of marine habitats in Indonesia. You can read more about LINI and its ongoing work here:

Our expert staff always offers advice and guidance, ensuring you receive the best possible products and services.

Explore our website for a wide range of aquariums, fish, plants, and accessories. We also invite you to visit any one of our local stores to experience our products in person and speak with our friendly team. If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to reach out to us directly—we are here to help!

Stay connected and join our online community by following us on social media. Keep up with the latest product updates, helpful tips, and special promotions!

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fishkeeper.co.uk/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_fishkeeper/
• Twitter - https://x.com/the_fishkeeper
• Store contact details - https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/storefinder
• Contact us - https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/contact