About
For more than 35 years, Marine World Tropical Fish has been a Hot Springs, AR institution, run by owners Linda, Lynn, and Steve — a trio whose combined fish-keeping experience runs into the decades. Steve, a former biology and chemistry teacher with 54 years behind the hobby, brings genuine encyclopedic knowledge to every conversation, and has been known to stay an hour past closing to talk fish and plants and scribble out care notes for visitors who haven't bought a thing. Linda is beloved by regulars for her honesty, steering customers away from livestock that won't suit their existing tanks rather than chasing a sale.
The shop packs an impressive range of freshwater and saltwater livestock into a deceptively plain storefront. On the reef side this is a proper aquarium store: live corals, purple tangs, tiny sharks, hermit crabs, miniature lobsters, and a sump system that draws admiring looks. Freshwater runs just as deep — clown plecos, pea puffers, bettas, and shrimp are the sort of species shoppers come searching for as "freshwater fish for sale in Hot Springs, AR," and the live aquatic plant selection earns repeat praise as some of the best around.
" Don't judge the place by its dim, unassuming interior; the density of healthy livestock surprises first-timers, and pricing tends to undercut what regulars expect from the chains. The owners will special-order harder-to-find fish and plants, usually within a week or two. Many customers drive over an hour each way for the livestock quality and the unhurried, in-person consultation — one shopper says a quick walk past the exotic fish and plants "completely redirected" her whole morning.
For corals, aquatic plants, and rare freshwater species near me, Marine World remains the go-to independent aquarium store in Hot Springs, AR.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Marine World Tropical Fish in Hot Springs, AR
Marine World Tropical Fish stocks corals, reef fish, betta fish, pufferfish, shrimp, invertebrates, tangs, plecos, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Hot Springs, AR. As an aquarium store serving Hot Springs, AR, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefLive PlantsPlanted TanksBettasPuffersShrimpInvertebratesTangsPlecosAquarium EquipmentRare SpeciesLive Rock
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run for 35+ years by owners Linda, Lynn, and Steve, with decades of hands-on fish-keeping knowledge
- Freshwater and saltwater livestock: live corals, purple tangs, clown plecos, pea puffers, bettas, and shrimp
- Standout live aquatic plant selection praised by repeat visitors
- Tiny sharks, hermit crabs, and miniature lobsters among the saltwater inventory, plus an admired sump system
- Special orders for hard-to-find fish and plants within 1-2 weeks, with patient in-person consultation
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Extremely knowledgeable owners!! They have a wide variety of marine and freshwater fish and supplies.”
— Melanie Davie5.02 days ago“Lot of fish 🐟”
— Destry Landry (Des)5.02 weeks ago“Very friendly an knowledgeable about freshwater an saltwater fish took time to answer all my questions lots cool fish”
— John Sisemore5.03 weeks ago“Very kind folks here! They have an incredible selection of fish and they all appear to be thriving in their well established tanks. So lucky to have this gem of a shop in Hot Springs.”
— Cheryl Varnedore5.04 weeks ago“This place is pretty cool and also really cheap pricing”
— Cheyenne Love5.0a month ago“Excellent selection of well maintained and beautiful fish, invertebrates, and corals.”
— Melanie Richardson5.0Edited a month ago“Amazing owners!! Very knowledgeable with their fish and very friendly! Best fish store we’ve ever been. I have recommended this store to several people that were misguided by PetSmart and Petco employees.”
— Devon Schelle5.03 months ago“Perfect place to go even if you aren't looking to purchase. One day my boyfriend noticed I was having a rough start in my morning. On our way to work he pulled up there and we both went inside. I had never been here until then. And after the first 30 secs seeing all the exotic fish and plants completely redirected my whole morning. Very beneficial. The owners were fantastic. It was overall a great experience personally and professionally.”
— Sarah Finney5.0Edited 3 months ago“Always super friendly and helpful.”
— Richard Smith5.04 months ago“Insane selection of fish! I was always under the impression that you had to go the saltwater route to get some interesting specimens, but this place really opened up my eyes to the incredible diversity you can find with freshwater as well. Spoke with Steve who was very friendly and knowledgeable. We’ll be back!”
— Tyler Coats5.0a week ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (501) 624-7477 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Marine World Tropical Fish.