Bob's Tropical Fish

Bob's Tropical Fish in Augusta, Georgia has been a regional destination for over two decades, drawing hobbyists from as far as Anderson, South Carolina — many making two-hour drives without hesitation. The store occupies a large footprint packed with freshwater livestock, live plants, saltwater fish, corals, and an outdoor pond section that rounds out one of the most complete aquatic offerings in the CSRA. Freshwater is the undeniable star here.

Reviewers consistently praise the planted tank selection — hardscape, live plants, and the kind of variety that rewards browsing. One returning customer credited Bob's with fueling a full shrimp colony alongside sparkling gouramis, a rescue betta, and least killifish tanks, all started from what was supposed to be one modest shrimp setup. Axolotls make regular appearances, and staff have helped families get axolotl tanks properly dialed in.

Pacus, cichlids, tropical community fish — the freshwater inventory runs deep and rotates with regular shipments. Saltwater gets a smaller share of floor space, but Bob can special-order corals and saltwater species on request, and long-time customers running both fresh and salt tanks keep coming back for neo shrimp and reef stock alike. The outdoor pond section serves koi and pond keepers, and multiple reviewers mention ongoing pond maintenance service.

The staff is the other major draw. Byron is frequently singled out for his encyclopedic knowledge — he's the guy who'll tell you to hold off on buying fish because of an incoming weather pattern, then explain exactly why. Mike earns similar praise for his patience and willingness to turn a store visit into an impromptu education session.

Bob himself has built a loyal following over decades, with several employees working at the shop since its early days. Prices consistently undercut big-box pet stores, and the livestock arrives healthy and well-maintained. Tanks are clean, fish look good, and the atmosphere is welcoming enough that one reviewer's daughter wanted to visit nearly every day over summer.

For anyone in the Augusta area building a freshwater planted tank, stocking a reef, or maintaining a backyard pond, Bob's is the local shop that earns the loyalty.