Best Aquatic & Fish Veterinarians: Koi, Goldfish & Tropical Fish Surgery & Diagnostics
20 Verified Fish Veterinary Clinics Listed
Aquatic veterinary medicine has grown rapidly as koi collectors, fancy goldfish keepers, and reef aquarium hobbyists seek professional medical care rather than guesswork tank medications. Certified aquatic veterinarians (often Credentialed Aquatic Veterinary Medical Practitioners, or CertAqV) perform water-quality toxicology, skin mucus scrapes, gill biopsies, MS-222 tricaine anesthesia, wen trimming, mass removals, and swim bladder buoyancy procedures both in-clinic and via pondside house calls.
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Pricing & Partner Disclosure: Any veterinary cost figures or savings ranges referenced on Exotic Vets are independent, aggregated industry estimates for informational purposes only, are not provided by any individual veterinary clinic, and are subject to change without notice. Always contact the clinic directly for current fees.
Arbor View Animal Hospital
Valparaiso, IN
Arbor View Animal Hospital in Valparaiso, IN (4.9/5 across 550 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including laboratory testing with exotic-specialized facilities, bloodwork, spay/neuter (depending on species).
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Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ (4.8/5 across 850 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
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Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic in Indianapolis, IN (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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Avian & Exotic Philly Medical Surgical Clinic
Philadelphia, PA
Avian & Exotic Philly Medical Surgical Clinic
Philadelphia, PA
Avian & Exotic Philly Medical Surgical Clinic in Philadelphia, PA (5.0/5 across 450 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including CT scanning, digital radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
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Avian & Exotic Vet Care - Portland
Portland, OR
Avian & Exotic Vet Care - Portland
Portland, OR
Avian & Exotic Vet Care - Portland in Portland, OR (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, diagnostic imaging, soft tissue surgery.
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Avian and Exotic Animal Care
Raleigh, NC
Avian and Exotic Animal Care in Raleigh, NC (4.9/5 across 542 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
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Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital
San Diego, CA
Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital
San Diego, CA
Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital in San Diego, CA (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including full diagnostic services, laboratory testing, medical surgical services.
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Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine
New York, NY
Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine
New York, NY
Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in New York, NY (4.6/5 across 380 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including advanced medical care, diagnostic imaging, advanced surgical care.
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Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
Skokie, IL
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
Skokie, IL
Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie, IL (4.8/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including Xoran CT scan, digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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College Village Animal Clinic
Anchorage, AK
College Village Animal Clinic
Anchorage, AK
College Village Animal Clinic in Anchorage, AK (4.9/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including digital radiography, ultrasound, soft tissue surgery.
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Colorado Exotic Animal Hospital
Denver, CO
Colorado Exotic Animal Hospital
Denver, CO
Colorado Exotic Animal Hospital in Denver, CO (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando
Orlando, FL
Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando
Orlando, FL
Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando in Orlando, FL (4.8/5 across 320 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including digital radiography (x-rays), serum chemistry panels, soft tissue surgery.
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Exotic Vet Care
Mt Pleasant, SC
Exotic Vet Care in Mt Pleasant, SC (4.9/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, backyard poultry, small mammals, reptiles, including advanced imaging, digital radiography, anesthesia and surgery.
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Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic
Great Neck, NY
Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic
Great Neck, NY
Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic in Great Neck, NY (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house CT scanning (only in NY for exotics), advanced imaging, soft tissue surgery.
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Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department
Norton, OH
Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department
Norton, OH
Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department in Norton, OH (4.9/5 across 380 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, complete blood work, soft tissue surgery.
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Mt Spokane Veterinary Hospital
Mead, WA
Mt Spokane Veterinary Hospital in Mead, WA (4.7/5 across 340 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including diagnostic imaging, radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
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Queen City Animal Hospital
Charlotte, NC
Queen City Animal Hospital in Charlotte, NC (4.8/5 across 412 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house diagnostics, blood work, sterilization surgeries (spay/neuter) for rabbits, rodents, and ferrets.
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Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care
Pittsburgh, PA
Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care
Pittsburgh, PA
Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care in Pittsburgh, PA (4.6/5 across 320 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, fish, including blood work, X-ray imaging, exotic pet surgery.
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Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital
Grapevine, TX
Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital
Grapevine, TX
Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in Grapevine, TX (4.9/5 across 650 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including on-site CT scanning, comprehensive diagnostics, soft tissue surgery.
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Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
Phoenix, AZ
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ (4.9/5 across 185 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory diagnostics, digital radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
View ProfileWhen to See a Fish Veterinarian
- check_circleSwim Bladder & Buoyancy Disorders: Fancy goldfish and koi floating upside-down or wedged at the bottom of the tank.
- check_circleUlcers, Fin Rot, & Parasitic Outbreaks: Microscopic skin scrapes and gill biopsies identify Ich, Flukes (Dactylogyrus/Gyrodactylus), Costia, or Aeromonas bacterial ulcers so targeted antibiotics can be prescribed.
- check_circleSurgical Wen Trimming & Tumor Removal: Safe out-of-water recirculating anesthesia to trim overgrown Oranda/Ranchu wens blocking vision or excise fibromas.
Red-Flag Symptoms Requiring Immediate Vet Care
- warningGasping or piping at the water surface, clamped fins, or rapid gill opercular movement.
- warningPineconing scales (dropsy / severe osmotic kidney failure), red streaks in fins, or deep body ulcers.
- warningFlashing (rubbing against rocks/substrate), white spots, or sudden multi-fish mortality in a pond.
Estimated Fish Veterinary Exam & Diagnostic Costs (Aggregated Industry Estimates)
| Procedure / Service (Estimated) | Estimated National Range (Aggregated, Not Clinic-Specific) | Clinical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Vet In-Clinic Exam & Water Test (Estimated) | $85 to $160 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; bring fish in oxygenated tank water plus a separate water sample |
| Skin Mucus Scrape & Gill Clip Microscopy (Estimated) | $55 to $110 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; identifies protozoan or fluke species |
| Fish Anesthesia, Radiography, or Surgery (Estimated) | $195 to $550 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; uses buffered MS-222 recirculating gill anesthesia |
Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Appointment
- Should I bring a separate 1-liter sample of pond/aquarium water so ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and KH can be tested?
- Does the clinic offer pondside house calls for large koi collections, and what is the current travel/exam fee?
Frequently Asked Questions About Fish Veterinary Care
How do you bring a koi or goldfish to the veterinarian?
Place the fish in a heavy-duty double plastic fish transport bag or a clean 5-gallon bucket with a tight lid filled one-third with water from its current tank or pond, plus battery-powered air-stone aeration. Bring a separate sealed jar of tank water for water chemistry testing.