top of page

January 18th, 2026

Document2.png

Elwell Family Food Center
Iowa State Fairgrounds
3000 E Grand Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50317

VIP Early Entry - $10

11:00am - 11:45am

​​

Free Entry

Noon - 4pm

The Des Moines Fish Swap is a fun, community-focused event for aquarium hobbyists of all experience levels. You can expect a wide variety of freshwater fish, shrimp, snails, live plants, and aquarium supplies available from local breeders and hobbyists. Occasionally we even have saltwater! Many sellers offer healthy, home-raised livestock at affordable prices, making it a great place to find unique species you may not see in regular pet stores.

Beyond buying and selling, the fish swap is a great opportunity to meet other aquarists, ask questions, share tips, and learn more about fish care and aquarium setups. Whether you’re a beginner setting up your first tank or an experienced hobbyist looking to expand your collection, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and plenty to explore.

Come ready to browse, learn, and connect with the local fishkeeping community!

Map of Vendor Tables

Table Layout 2026-01-12.png

Registered Vendors

Fish Fix

Tables:

A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Explore a wide variety of fish, plants, dry goods, and now frozen foods!


Now taking pre-orders! All orders must be in by Saturday at midnight.

There are a bunch of new items that will be added in the next day or two.  Now is your opportunity to order anything off my website and I will bring it to the swap.

We always bag pre-orders 1st, so take advantage of all the choices on fishfixusa.com

Shooters fishroom

(515) 290-4148

Tables:

A11, A12
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, Zelle, Credit/Debit, Apple Pay
Vendor Stock List:

Pleco 

L46 - 1.5”

L46 3” 

L66 - 1.25” 

136B - 1.5”

L236 super white - 1.25-1.5” 

L236 super yellow - 1.25-1.5” 

L267 1.5”

L333 Pleco Ceramics basic - 1.5-2”

L397 -1.25”

L397 - 3”  

L398 1.25” 

L399 2.5”

L411 - 1.25 ” 

L494 1.25” 

L519  - 1.25” 



Bushynose 

Blue eye lemon longfin 1.5” 

Super red - 1.25” 

Super red males 3” 


Corydoras 

Cw111 3/4” 


PROVEN pairs. 

L267 sexed trio 

L136 pair 

Pleco ceramics L333 pair

L411 pair 

L397 pair 

L306 sexed pair 

L519 pair 

L494 sexed trio


Cichlids 

Ngara full colored males - 3” 


1.5” caves -

Bells - 


ALL Food I feed my fish.  


New Life Spectrum 

Algae Max - 125g 

Grow - 125g 

TheraA 1mm - 125g 


5 stick blend - 1/2lb 

Decap baby brine - 1/4lb

I HART CORALS

Tables:

A13
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

-Live corals frags

- live anemones

- macro algaes/seaweed

- peppermint shrimp

-snails and crabs

Carl Dunkovich

Tables:

A14, A15
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo
Vendor Stock List:

Angels, Cory Catfish, Guppies and other community and hard to find tropical fish. 

Prairie Creek Aquatics

Dorothy - (641) 295-5781
Bill - (319) 929-7938
prairiecreekaquatics@southslope.net

Tables:

A16, A17, A18
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Fish:

From Red-Bellied Piranhas, to Stingrays, Gar, Koi and smaller aquarium fish such as Fancy Guppies, Mollies, Swordtails, Platies, Rainbow Sharks, Upside Down Catfish, Goldfish, Angelfish and a large variety of other Cichlids. We also carry a wide selection of Plecostomus (Plecos or suckerfish).


Snails:

Mystery Snails, Ramshorn Snails, Assassin Snails, Feeder Bladder Snails and many more.

AL's Discus and Botanicals

(847) 641-7987

Tables:

A19, A20, A21
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Paypal, Zelle
Vendor Stock List:

Discus 

Red Rose , Pigeon Blood, Alenquer and other assorted 


Congo Tetras 

Green Long Fin Corydora

Pseudomugil Rainbow 

Red $ Black Angels


Dry Leaf for Aquarium Use Only 

Special shrimp leaf variety packs 

Indian Almond Leaves aka Cattapa Leaves ( Tannins and Medical attributes)

Guava Leaves,  Jackfruit Leaves , Raspberry Leaves , Nettle leaves etc 


Coir Floss - A long lasting breeding options for breeding egg scattering fishes . 


Caves ( NO Pleco Caves )

Small caves for aquarium , 

Breeding caves for Apistos and other dwarf cichlids, 

Some caves for aesthetics and some for growing plants too.

XXX Cichlid Cave 


Large 'n' Small Ceramic Biomedia block


Few Aquarium plants like Bucephelandra and some driftwood

Used Aquarium Sump and some others ...




Your Plant Haven

Tables:

A9, A10
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

I’ll be bringing a curated selection of terrestrial houseplants, perfect for plant lovers looking to add something special to their collection. Expect a mix of easy-care favorites and more unique varieties, including foliage plants like aglaonemas, alocasias, anthuriums, begonias, peperomias, philodendrons, and other tropical houseplants in a range of sizes.


I’ll also have lots of succulents and cacti, many planted in cute, ready-to-enjoy pots—great for gifts or instant décor. Whether you’re new to houseplants or a seasoned collector, there will be something fun, interesting, and well cared for at my table.

Plant Therapy Co

planttherapyco.ia@gmail.com
515-442-5089 (text only)

Tables:

B1, B2
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, Credit/Debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Vendor Stock List:

Live Plants & Plant Accessories

-A large variety of beautiful houseplants in a wide range of sizes

-Soil-potted houseplants

-Water-rooted, hydroponic plants suitable for easy transition into aquariums

-Plant trellises

-Unique and decorative plant pots

-Plant-themed jewelry

-Assorted plant accessories and care items


Healing Intention Crystals & Gemstones

-A wide selection of healing intention crystals and gemstones

-Unique, hand-carved crystals, including:

-Towers

-Spheres

-Hearts

-Astrological shapes

-Animal carvings and other specialty forms


Raw crystals

-Tumbled crystals

-Polished raw crystals

-Palm stones


Crystal Jewelry & Interactive Experience

-Genuine crystal jewelry, including earrings

-“Create Your Own Crystal Necklace” station

Knotty Krystal

Tables:

B3, B4
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Macramé & Handmade Jewelry


Handmade Macramé Plant Hangers

-Unique, one-of-a-kind macramé plant hangers

-Intricately designed single, double, and triple plant hangers

-Fully handmade macramé pieces in a wide variety of sizes

-Highly detailed macramé hangers available without pots

-Macramé plant hangers paired with decorative vintage pots

-Macramé hangers available in many different colors

-Macramé plant hangers featuring wooden and glass plant shelves


Handmade Jewelry

-One-of-a-kind, handmade jewelry pieces

-Crystal jewelry, including:

-Earrings

-Bracelets

-Necklaces

Pure Tropicals

Tables:

C1, C2, C3
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Plecos - (134/306/397/106/190/191/330)

Goldfish - (Orandas)

Discus - (red pidgeon/yellow pidgeon/blue diamond/red melon)

Cichlids - (black rams/red spot severums/angels) 

Nano fish - (cpds/neons/rummynose)

Dry goods - (tropical flake/pellets sink and float/algae wafers)

Arbor Aquatics

Facebook Messenger: https://m.me/spencer.wilcox.1

Tables:

C10, C11, C12
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Apple Pay
Vendor Stock List:

Cherry Shrimp

Glow tetras

Guppies

Kuhli Loaches (banded and regular)

Marbled Viejas

Midevils (Midas/Red Devil)

Diablo Red Spot Viejas

Bichirs

Other big SA and CA cichlids

Pothos (3 varieties)

Pink Princess Philldendron

TFG Aquatics

Tables:

C4
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal
Vendor Stock List:

Angelfish

Black marble veils 2X

Hi-coverage Koi 2X

Philippine blue pearlscale 2X

Gold  2X


Barbs

Denison 2X

Odessa  2X


2” Discus 2X 

Electric Blue Acara  maybe

Purple Emperor tetras 5X


Rainbowfish

Boesemani 2X

Red Irian 2X

Praecox 2X maybe


Livebearers

1”” Black Molly 5X

Red swordtails pr.

Glitter Limia pr.

Humpback Limia pr. 


Bristle Nose Pleco

Ablino 

Albino long fin

Brown

Brown long Fin


Mystery snails 2X

Ken Holmen

Tables:

C5
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Paypal
Vendor Stock List:

Corydoras: Albino, Black,  Julii, Electric Green,  Sunburst Orange Severum Cichlids: Turquoise and Red Bellied,  Peacock Cichlids: Ruby Red,  Lemon Jake, Orange Blotch, Red Empress Cichlids,  Star Saphire Cichlids, Yellow Lab Cichlids,  Standard fin Plecos: Super Red,  Albino,  Calico, Brown,  Longfin Plecos: Green Dragon,  Brown 


Fish Garage

Tables:

C6, C7
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Neocaridina Shrimp - (Blue Dream, Blue Jelly, Cherry Fire Red, Yellow Goldenback, Snowball, Orange Sunkist, Skittles)

Mystery Snails - (Ivory, Chestnut, XL Chestnut) 

Guppies - (Red Endler Trios (MFF), Assorted Guppies Duos (MF), Japanese Lyretail Trios (MFF)) 

OB/Dragonblood Peacocks 

Convict Breeding Pair 

Plants - (Spiderwood w/ Java Moss, Cholla wood w/ Java Moss, Guppy Grass, Elodea, Java Moss, Java Fern, Anubias glued to rocks, Duckweed)

Pothos - (Jade, Marble Queen, Neon) 

"Fish Garage" T-Shirts 

FANG- Gel Food

Midwest Fishroom

FB Messenger: m.me/61573913624968

Tables:

C8
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Rainbowfish 

-Wapoga (C. alleni)

-Turquoise (M. lacustris)

-Sunset (M. parva)

-Dwarf Neon (M. praecox)


Lake Tanganyikan Cichlids

-N. caudopunctatus 


Guppies

-Black Gold Lace

-Yellow King Tiger

-Fancy Mixed


Hillstream Loaches

 

Plecos

-Common SF

-Super Red SF


Neocaridina Shrimp

-Cherry

-Blue dream

-Snowball


Plants $5 

-Valisneria

-Hornwort

-Guppy grass

-Pennywort 

-Java moss

-Riccia moss 

-Susswassertang 

Ed Zaworski

Tables:

C9
Accepted Payments:
Cash
Vendor Stock List:

Nano fish, lake Malawi cichlids and lake Tanganyikan cichlids

Cluckin' Shrimp & Aquatics

Tables:

D1, D2, D3
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Guppies:

Albino Blue Topaz Bachelors (M)

Cobra Gold Lace Double Swords - Trios (MFF) and Bachelors

Albino Red Lace - Pairs (MF)

Red Cobra- Pairs (MF)


Tiger Endlers - Pairs (MF)


Plecos:

Albino Bristlenose - Juveniles 1.5"

L002 Tiger Plecos - Juveniles/Young Adults 1.5"-2.25"


Neocaridina Shrimp - 5x Pack and Breeder Pack (1M4F):

-Green Venom,  -Green Jade,  -Ocean Blue,  -Blue Dream,  -Blue Jelly, 

-Blue Pearl,  -Snowball,  -24k Yellow Goldenback,  -Orange Sunkist,  -Fire Red (very limited), 

-Red Sakura,  -Black Rose (very limited)


3D Aquarium Solutions:

Moss Towers

Feeder / Bubble Rings

Plant Baskets and Holders 

Shrimp Mazes and Undergravel Caves

Substrate Dividers

Aquarium Decor

Airline Checkvalve Clamps


**Accepting custom orders anytime**

Exotic Aquarium

(651) 500-4760 (Kris)

Tables:

D12
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp
Vendor Stock List:

Peacock cichlid, platinuim ballon body molly, vietnam imported guppy, plants, hmpk bettas

Razz Aquatics

Tables:

D4
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal
Vendor Stock List:

Plecos:

SF Green Dragon 1”-1.5”

SF Snow White pleco 1”


Guppies:

Koi Guppies Pairs & Trios


Nano Fish:

LF zebra danios

Gold Barbs

Cherry Barbs


Snails:

Blueberry Snails

Red Racer Nerite Snails

Zebra Nerite Snails

Horned Nerite Snails


Shrimp:

Red Cherry Shrimp

Amano Shrimp


Plants:

Red Root Floaters

Ludwigia Super Red mini

Ludwigia Super Red


Hardgoods:

Cholla Wood

Indian Almond Leaves

Casuarina Pods

Alder Cones

Homemade Shrimp Lollies

Shrimp Snowflake Food

Pleco Caves

Flying Turtle Aquatics

402-651-3408
flyingturtleaquatics@gmail.com
FB Messenger: M.me/61575173933348

Tables:

D5
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal
Vendor Stock List:

Neocaridina

Green Jade

Orange Sunkist 

Blue Dream


Caridina

Purple Galaxy Tiger

Shadow Panda


Corydoras

Orange Laser

Orange Venezuelan

More coming soon


Plecos

L201 Snowball

More coming soon


Snails

Rabbit Snails Orange and Yellow more coming soon

Mystery Snails various colors

Blueberry Snails (potentially)


Fish

Red neon blue-eye rainbow fish (pseudomugil luminatus)

Beards & Scales

(531) 239-4072

Tables:

D6, D7
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, CashApp, Apple Pay
Vendor Stock List:

Cichlids tetras community fish 

Antmans-Aquatics

Tables:

D8
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, Apple Pay
Vendor Stock List:

Cichlids 

-Rainbow Severums

-jewel cichlids 

-blood parrots

-Red terrors 

-Jack dempseys 

-Green severum 


Hybrid Cichlids 

-Avatars 

-Texascichlid x Blood parrot 


Fish Tanks 

-29 gallon tall tank 

-30 gallon long tank


Fish Supplies

-Air pumps 


Heartland Tropicals

Tables:

D9, D10, D11-
Accepted Payments:
Cash, Credit/Debit
Vendor Stock List:

Multiple strains and sizes of Discus 

Vendor Tables are 8' x 30", 40$ each and can be shared!

Want to save a few dollars?

Bring your own table and just rent the spot for 30$
 

Map of Available Parking Lots

Parking.png
bottom of page