Our Story

Wet Pets and Friends started as a hobby with a Father and his sons breeding fish in their basement. Ed Sr., and his two older boys Ed Jr. and Brian started with fresh water tanks in the late 60’s and by the 70’s were full fledge saltwater experts. Their hobby eventually branched out into other critters such as hamsters, rabbits, dogs and exotic birds.

By the time Ed Jr. and Brian were teenagers, the boys were helping their father breed and raise angelfish, guppies, cory catfish, African cichlids, bettas, South American cichlids, severums, oscars, mollies, platties, swordtails and ultimately rare breeds of discus and even saltwater damsels and clowns. They were supplying the large retail pet stores in Pittsburgh with thousands of fish per week. They had 120 tanks in their basement and the dream of owning their own pet store was starting to become more of a possibility. The whole Taimuty family including Patricia their mother and their younger brother Dean started to share the love and passion for fish and animals.

Ed Jr. and Brian graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and worked in the art field for several years. In 1992 with the help of their parents, they decided to open up Wet Pets and Friends. A five year lease was signed in a brand new development called “Waterdam Commons” in a fast growing suburb of Pittsburgh called McMurray. The space was 2,400 square feet with a 3000 gallon showroom almost evenly divided between fresh and salt water. There was also a small section for birds, small animals, reptiles and supplies. The first year and a half, Ed Jr., Brian and Patricia ran the store and worked 12 hour days with occasional and part time help from the rest of the family. Soon the store required the full time presence of Ed Sr. The store kept flourishing and within three years doubled in size to 4,800 square feet.

With a lot of hard work, quality pets, expert knowledge and the friendly family customer service, they were able to build their own 10,000 square foot building in 2004. Today, the whole Taimuty family works full time with the support of their staff of 16 employees! The youngest of the three brothers, Dean was brought on board full time in 2003 after earning his masters degree in business administration. He is now handling all of the financial aspects of the operation.

With a showroom consisting of 12,000 gallons encased in solid red oak cabinetry, Wet Pets and Friends is much more than a pet store, it is a true experience full of education, beauty and wonder! In the basement, beneath the showroom floor, is an amazing 1,000 square feet of filtration. This ultimate, high-tech filtration system pumps an unseen 50,000 gallons of water per hour. The filtration system includes 2500 watts of UV sterilization, 2,100 square feet of micron pleats for mechanical filtration, multiple chillers, the largest commercial Euro style protein skimmers available and state of the art refugiums. The reservoirs are made of polypropylene material, holding an astounding 5,000 gallons.

This all supports the finest salt water and fresh water selection of fish, inverts, corals and plants from all around the world. They bring in a wide range of selection including the rarest and unusual species found. They choose the rare breeds that are able to thrive in captivity and share their expertise and knowledge with their customers so they too can enjoy an underwater paradise in their own homes. Lighting also plays a key role in displaying the fish’s natural beauty but is also a must for corals and plants for photosynthesis. Nature uses the sun and moon; they use 150 to 400 watt double ended HQI halide bulbs, power compacts for actinic lighting and LEDs. Today’s technology helps the average hobbyist to duplicate a natural environment with minimal maintenance. Whether it is a 10 gallon freshwater tank or a 1,200 gallon custom aquarium, Wet Pets and Friends will come to your home or office to setup and maintain the perfect aquatic paradise.

If you would like to extend that paradise to the outdoors, Wet Pets has an experienced crew led by Ed Jr. who uses his artistic background to create breathtaking waterfalls cascading into beautiful ponds that you think only nature could have created. They understand not only the aesthetics of your water garden, but also the biologic elements, which will ensure crystal clear water to gaze upon your goldfish and Japanese Koi. Adjoining their showroom, is a 3,000 square foot of greenhouse which houses 8,000 gallons of comets, shubunkins, koi, tadpoles, turtles, water lilies, oxygenating plants, floating plants and marsh plants. They also have a wide array of garden statues, fountains and a full line of pond supplies.

Quality filtration systems, combined with the collection of hand caught fish from the best distributors available, and a quality robust feeding regimen providing customers with the healthiest fish available. It also earned them platinum status and a certification from the Marine Aquarium Counsel (MACNA). Wet Pets and Friends was referenced and pictured in internationally recognized expert publications from Mike Paletta and Julian Sprung, multiple articles in local publications, visits from their local news channels and voted the “Best Pet Store in Western Pennsylvania” by The Pittsburgh Tribune 5 years in a row.