Does Walmart Sell Live Fish in 2022?
No, as of 2022 Walmart no longer sells live fish in its stores. But why did Walmart stop selling live fish, despite previously being one of the largest pet fish retailers? When exactly did they stop, and what types of fish did they used to sell?
In this detailed guide, we‘ll answer all of those questions and more from the informed perspective of an expert ecommerce seller. Read on to get the inside scoop on the live fish that were once a staple of the Walmart shopping experience.
A Look Back: Walmart as a Major Pet Fish Retailer
Prior to 2019, Walmart accounted for around 30% of all live aquarium fish sales in America. Live fish were available in about 1,700 Walmart locations across the US.
To put Walmart‘s share of the market in context, here are some key stats on the pet fish industry:
The US pet fish market is worth $700 million annually
Around 12.5 million households own freshwater fish tanks
There are over 1000 freshwater fish species kept as pets
Given its status as the world‘s largest retailer, it‘s no surprise Walmart captured close to a third of American pet fish sales. The company had both the footprint and logistical capabilities to maintain livestock nationwide.
But even dominant market players can shift strategies. Let‘s examine why Walmart exited an industry in which they were once a leader.
Why Did Walmart Stop Selling Live Fish?
In March 2019, Walmart announced plans to cease sales of all live fish and aquatic plants in its US stores. There were two primary factors behind this decision:
1. Declining Consumer Demand
Despite holding a massive share of the market, Walmart had seen a steady drop in live fish sales in preceding years.
There are a few possible reasons demand was falling:
The cost – Small aquarium fish often sell for just a few dollars, limiting profit potential. More exotic fish are pricier but harder to care for.
Maintenance – Keeping home aquariums healthy requires regular testing, changing water, and tank cleaning. This deters some buyers.
Ethical concerns – Animal rights groups like PETA highlighted that transport and cramped tanks caused distress and death for fish. This turned some shoppers away.
Lower revenue from lagging interest made it difficult for Walmart to justify allocating prime retail space to fish. Fish tanks took up room that more profitable products could occupy.
2. Pressure from Animal Rights Activists
For over a decade, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) actively campaigned against Walmart‘s live fish sales.
PETA investigations found that the conditions fish were subjected to were frequently inhumane:
Fish were packed in overcrowded bags for transport over long distances
Tanks in stores went uncleaned, leaving dead fish to decompose
Employees lacked proper training in fish care
Per PETA‘s estimates, some 250,000 fish per month died in Walmart‘s care. This contradicted the retailer‘s animal welfare policies. Relentless bad press from activists ultimately forced Walmart‘s hand.
When Did Walmart Stop Selling Live Fish?
March 2019 – Public announcement made to discontinue all sales of live fish and plants
October 2019 – Sale of fish completely phased out across US stores
Though Walmart stated its intentions in March, actually removing fish was a gradual process left to individual store operators. Some locations rapidly moved out tanks, while others took until the fall to fully transition away.
By October 2019, live fish were no longer available for purchase in any US Walmart location.
Types of Fish Previously Sold at Walmart
Walmart‘s selection spanned freshwater tropical species to regional favorites:
Tropical Fish
Betta fish – Also known as Siamese fighting fish. Bettas were massively popular at Walmart for their beauty, affordability and small tanks.
Tetra fish – Small, colorful tetras like neon and emperor species are perfect starter fish. Over 150 tetra species exist.
Guppies – Another top beginner fish. Guppies are live bearers that breed readily, making them a sustainable inventory.
Mollies – Like guppies, mollies are prolific live bearing fish ideal for novice aquarists. They adapt well to captivity.
Corydoras catfish – Known as "cory cats," they are bottom-dwelling fish from South America. They are peaceful and require schools of 6+.
Larger Species
Goldfish – Single-tailed goldfish are classic starter fish, though they require sizable tanks as they grow large.
Oscars – Oscars are highly intelligent large cichlids. Their adult size of 12 inches makes them challenging pets.
African cichlids – African rift lake cichlids like Electric Blue Johanni were commonly stocked. They are aggressive and need overcrowding.
Aquatic Plants
Anacharis – A versatile freshwater plant that absorbs nitrates and provides shelter for fish. It grows rapidly and propagates easily.
Java fern & moss – An extremely hardy low light plant perfect for beginning aquascapers. Java fern assimilates nutrients efficiently.
Hornwort – A floating stem plant that is prolific and provides ample oxygenation. It‘s recommended for controlling algae.
Fish Supplies Still Sold at Walmart
While live fish are no longer available, Walmart continues to sell a huge range of fish supplies and aquarium products:
Fish tanks – glass and acrylic models from 5 to 55+ gallon capacities
Stands, canopies, and hoods – to fit tanks of different dimensions
Filtration systems – power filters, canister filters, undergravel filters
Pumps and tubing – air pumps, water pumps, flexible tubing
Heaters and thermometers – preset and adjustable heaters, glass thermometers
Lighting – LED lighting, fluorescent hoods, colored accent lights
Water conditioners – dechlorinators, bacteria supplements, algaecides
Decorations – gravel, backgrounds, artificial plants, wood, rocks, shipwrecks
Nets, testing kits, cleaning tools – for aquarium maintenance and water testing
Whether you‘re setting up a new tank or restocking supplies, Walmart has anything a freshwater or saltwater aquarium requires.
Where to Buy Live Fish Now
With Walmart no longer in the live fish business, where should you buy pet fish instead? Here are some top options:
Local fish stores – These specialty aquatic shops offer the widest selection, exotic species, and expert guidance. Though pricier than chain stores.
Big box pet stores – Petco and PetSmart reliably stock popular fish like bettas, tetras, goldfish, and live plants.
Online retailers – Buying fish online allows access to rare varieties and breeds not found locally. Well-known sites include LiveAquaria and Aquatic Arts.
Aquarium breeders – Purchasing tank-raised fish from hobbyist breeders supports small businesses. Check forums like AquaBid.
No matter where you obtain fish, be sure to carefully acclimate them into quarantine tanks before adding to your main aquarium. Observe fish health and only buy from reputable sellers. This gives your new fish the best chance to thrive!
Key Takeaways on Walmart and the Pet Fish Industry
Walmart previously sold live aquarium fish at about 30% of its US stores, making it the leading pet fish retailer nationally.
Competition from major pet chains and its own declining fish sales led Walmart to exit the live fish business entirely by fall 2019.
Pressure from animal rights groups like PETA, who documented substantial fish deaths from poor conditions, further drove this decision.
Fish supplies and tank accessories remain readily available at Walmart stores and online.
Specialty fish stores, online retailers, and aquarium breeders now supply live freshwater and saltwater fish to home aquarists.
Conclusion
Live fish were once an integral part of the pet department in Walmart stores across America. However, a mix of ethical concerns and slipping profits prompted Walmart to discontinue fish sales in 2019. The retailer now focuses on supply sales rather than live animals.
With Walmart‘s exit, the pet fish market has further consolidated to pet chains and local shops. As both an ecommerce entrepreneur and fishkeeper, I hope demand for aquarium fish continues to grow sustainably. Responsible sourcing and care for these amazing aquatic creatures should remain top priorities.
