About
Tucked into Bentonville, Arkansas, Reef Keepers is the kind of local fish store that earns its reputation one tank at a time. Owner Ethan and staffer Eric run a clean, well-organized shop stocking both freshwater and saltwater fish, corals, shrimp, snails, and frozen food — all at prices that consistently surprise customers who've been shopping at big box alternatives. 99, a deal that made their jaw drop after previously paying more for a 13-gallon elsewhere.
The shop's strength lies in its personal, no-pressure approach. Ethan won't sell you a fish your tank can't support. Multiple reviewers mention his willingness to steer customers away from purchases that would lead to losses — a refreshing honesty that builds trust.
If something isn't in stock, he'll source it, and customers report that everything purchased from Reef Keepers has thrived in their home aquariums. That track record speaks to the health of the livestock and the quality of advice that comes with every sale. Reef Keepers also handles tank setup and maintenance for those who want a hands-off experience, and they've delivered stunning saltwater setups directly to customers' homes.
The coral selection draws weekly repeat visitors eager to see new arrivals, and the frozen food is competitively priced. The inventory isn't massive — this is still a growing operation, and a few reviewers have noted the limited selection. But what's here is healthy, the tanks are spotless, and the knowledge behind the counter runs deep.
For Bentonville aquarists tired of rolling the dice on shipped livestock or settling for chain store quality, Reef Keepers offers something better: a local shop where the owner genuinely cares about what happens after the fish leave the bag.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Tank SetupTank MaintenanceDeliveryConsultationCustom Tanks
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Complete 75-gallon tank setup available for $499.99
- Healthy freshwater and saltwater fish at competitive prices
- Owner Ethan sources hard-to-find species by custom order
- Tank setup, maintenance, and delivery services available
- Corals and frozen food at very reasonable prices
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Always helpful and knowledgeable”
— Kevin Bizzell5.02 weeks ago“Ethan is very knowledgeable and helpful! Love this shop.”
— Jason V5.02 weeks ago“Amazing experience and very knowledgeable staff”
— Billy Adams5.04 weeks ago“Reef Keepers is great. Solid selection of fresh and saltwater fish. With outstanding customer service. Prices are very reasonable and the fish are way healthier than anything you'll get at big box stores like PetSmart or PetCo. Ethan knows his stuff and is an honest and helpful guy. Whether you're brand new to the hobby and needing to learn the ropes or just want him to setup and maintain the tanks for you, he's more than happy to help. Just recently set up my 55 gallon and all the fish have been from him and couldn't be happier with them.”
— Justin Whitekiller5.02 months ago“Nice little shop! Very friendly staff!”
— Ben Fenton5.03 months ago“My brother came in to get an aquarium and they didn't have very many in stock as the worker in the store said they didn't want to clutter the store. I took him to Petco where they had everything he wanted right there.”
— Linda Van Galder2.03 months ago“Always nice and friendly and very helpful”
— Randal j Rhoades jr5.03 months ago“I bought an aquarium about a year ago, mostly to entertain the grand kiddos. It was great news to discover Reef Keepers opened in Bentonville a few months ago. I needed a few more fish, so I stopped by this store. Ethan was very helpful and keeps a clean store. I met Eric recently when I stopped by to purchase some shrimp and snails for my tank. Both of these folks are highly knowledgeable and very friendly. What really blew me away was the price of this full setup of a 75 gallon tank for $499.99, all in, everything you see in the video included. I paid more than that for my 13 gallon tank back when from another store 25 miles south of Bentonville. Reef Keepers is definitely the "go to" for freshwater or saltwater aquarium needs.”
— Bill May5.04 months ago“Ethan keeps a clean and well stocked shop. My husband and I are often able to find exactly what we are looking for, regardless if it is freshwater or marine. On the few occasions he has not had what we've wanted he has offered to try to source it to us. I also appreciate his attention to detail with his clientele. If you are not equipped to handle what you are purchasing he will let you know so that you are not suffering the heartache of life as well as hundreds of dollars of loss all at once.”
— Kara5.05 months ago“Wonderful customer service and very fair pricing! Very healthy fish and coral. I make a visit at least once a week to see the new additions.”
— Nick Matt5.0Edited 6 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (417) 434-8160 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Reef Keepers.