Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute pet store antics have positive messages for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Parents say that the show has a mix of entertainment and important life lessons about friendship, but opinions vary widely; some find it funny and relatable, while others criticize it for being inappropriate or lacking quality. Many parents remember it fondly from their childhoods, but there are significant concerns regarding crude humor and character behaviors that some deem unacceptable for children.
- funny characters
- life lessons
- inappropriate content
- mixed reviews
- childhood nostalgia
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 107 kid reviews
What's the Story?
FISH HOOKS is set in the colorful world of Bud's Pet Shop, where fish friends Bea (voiced by Chelsea Staub), Milo (Kyle Massey), and Oscar (Justin Roiland) are starting their first year at Freshwater High School. The trio soon discovers that tween life is fraught with uncertainty -- even when you're a fish -- so it's a good thing they can rely on each other to navigate the choppy waters. When they're not in school, the young adventurers enjoy donning land suits and exploring the rest of the pet store, but their encounters there are often even more unpredictable than their scholarly ones.
Is It Any Good?
This entertaining show touches on social interactions and personal struggles that pop up as kids get older, including solidifying your identity, striving for popularity, and wanting independence. Because the characters are fish rather than humans, it's easier for kids to enjoy the show's humorous take on issues like these and not feel like they're being forced to learn anything. The good news is that, without realizing it, they'll still pick up on the show's emphasis on friendship and respect and may feel more relaxed about tackling similar situations when they arise in real life.
Although the content is nothing to sweat for most ages, the show is best appreciated by kids who will relate most to the characters' experiences -- so, young tweens and up. Very young kids might also find the show's land-dwelling pet shop residents a little frightening, thanks to the series' photo-puppetry animation style.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about friendship. Who are your good friends? What attributes do you like in them? How do they show they're good friends? What are your responsibilities as a friend?
Did you like the way this show is animated? Did it make it seem more or less realistic than "regular" animation? Why do you think some parts were exaggerated?
How do the characters' lives compare to yours? What do they do for fun? What are your favorite things to do when you play with your friends?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 3, 2010
- Cast : Chelsea Staub , Justin Roiland , Kyle Massey
- Network : Disney Channel
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School ) , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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