A fish may not be the most traditional pet, but it can be the ideal option for those wanting a low-maintenance animal while also looking to dip their toes into a new hobby. The act of fish keeping can be therapeutic, a creative outlet or just an aesthetically pleasing activity.
“It’s one of those hobbies that, if you get into it, it’s something you always fall back on. It’s a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to spend your time,” says Tiffany Jeffers, owner of local aquarium store Aquatopia
of Bend.
Aquatopia, located along Third Street in east Bend, is a family-owned and -run business that offers a large variety of fish, plants, tanks and equipment. Jeffers and her husband, Brad, purchased the store in 2013 and operate it with their two kids.
On any given day, a variety of people come into the shop to browse — regulars with multiple tanks, people looking to start an aquarium or those simply looking for some entertainment. Families will often come in on rainy or smoky days to walk around and learn about the fish. Jeffers and her family welcome it.
“It’s one of those hobbies that, if you get into it, it’s something you always fall back on. It’s a great stress reliever, it’s a great way to spend your time.”
“Our signage brings a lot of people in, especially if we have seahorses and axolotls. There are a lot of curious people and, a lot of times, those become customers,” she tells the Source Weekly.
What sets Aquatopia apart from other big-box stores is the shop’s selection and attention to its customers.
“We have things you will not find anywhere else. We will spend an unlimited amount of time with you if you need it, discussing what you want to do, how you want to do it or any issues you have.”
The first choice when buying an aquarium is choosing a type: salt water or fresh water. Freshwater tanks are typically easier and less costly to maintain, while saltwater, or marine, aquariums offer an environment for a greater diversity of species, but require more specialized equipment and maintenance.
For beginners, Jeffers recommends a 5-gallon freshwater tank, which can often hold one betta fish, for example. For someone wanting more fish, a 20-gallon tank can fit a community of small fish. For the larger tank sizes, you can pick from a variety of fish, but should consult with store employees to learn which fish can live together.
Common choices for fresh water tanks include dwarf cichlids or tetras, which come in many varieties, such as the very popular GloFish tetras.
Another popular option, Jeffers notes, are axolotls. An axolotl is a form of salamander that lives in fresh water. The unique-looking amphibians are largely extinct in the wild and are raised locally. For a single axolotl, Jeffers recommends at least a 20-gallon tank.
When it comes to tank responsibilities, the time to care for a freshwater or saltwater tank, once it’s established, is about the same — about 20 or 30 minutes per week. Every two weeks, a little extra care is needed for water changes, Jeffers notes.
With all types of tanks, Jeffers says store employees are there to walk people through the responsibilities and maintenance and help however is needed.
“We’re here for all of your questions, and we have handouts that give step-by-step guidelines based on our research and what we think would be the easiest for most people to follow,” she says.
This article appears in Central Oregon Pets Spring 2025.
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