Where to Buy Aquariums and Fish in Bangkok

The best places to buy aquariums, goldfish and tropical fish in Bangkok, Thailand, based on price and quality.

Having an aquarium with tropical fish or goldfish is a Thai tradition, and you'll find them everywhere in hotels, offices and homes. But it's not so easy to find good aquariums or fish for your own apartment or condo. The price is cheap (koi cost a fraction of their cost in the US), but there are only a few key places to find them. Here are the 5 best places to buy aquariums, tropical fish and aquarium supplies in Bangkok.

Ramkamhaeng Soi 10-12, next to the Mall Ramkamhaeng
This is the cleanest fish & aquarium market I've ever seen. It's a market of about a dozen dealers, 6 of them selling aquariums and fish. The others sell plants and garden supplies. The quality of fish here is the best, with plenty of exotic species at good prices. They are well cared for, and the staff will give you good advice, but not in English. Sorry, you'll need to bring your Thai friends along. Of course, you can always just point to the fish you want. These dealers will also deliver and set up large aquariums for you. Expect to pay about 3000 baht ($108) for a 90 gallon aquarium complete with lights and filter. Fish and plants range from 20 baht to 500 (60 cents to $15).  Note: this is across from the main Mall department store, on the side of Ramkamhaeng with smaller shops (this mall is connected via a walking bridge).

Kamphaengphet Road soi 4
Take the MRT to Kamphaengphet station and look for the long line of shops. Here you will find aquariums, and even custom-made tanks. They specialize in custom aquariums at these shops. This is also a good place to get saltwater aquarium set-ups, if you gave the fortitude to try it. Just follow Kamphaengphet 3 and turn at the corner of 4, follow it 100 yards.

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Also called JJ Market, the Chatuchak weekend market is the largest selection of pets anywhere in Thailand. There is a wide choice of aquariums and exotic fish, and the price is good. Take the MRT subway or the BTS sky-train to MoChit station, the terminal station. You'll find the entrance to the market just 100 yards away. The market is enormous and easy to get lost in, so just ask for the pet and fish area. Wednesday is the best day to buy pets, a the rest of the market will be closed, and you can shop without the crowds. English speakers are available here.

The Emporium
At Nana BTS, on the bottom floor of the Emporium is a nice aquarium store. It's more expensive than others, but convenient for those living on the Sukhumvit near Nana or Asoke.

U-Aquarium is at Pattanakan 25, near "The Nine" off Rama 9.

Siam Reef Club is a good resource for new event info and traveling aquarium expos. Their website is SiamReefClub

Also check out:  The Annual Fish Exhibit at the Mall Bangkapi

Choose the place that is closest to you, for obvious reasons, but most of them will deliver. All of these places carry high quality aquariums and fish. Bangkok residents love fish, especially goldfish, so aquarium shops are abundant in the city.