Underwater Wonders in Fort Collins, Colorado has built a reputation that draws reefers from across the Front Range and beyond — some customers drive from Parker, others cross state lines just to browse their coral displays. Owned by Seth and Garrett, this saltwater-focused shop started as a tank maintenance and installation service before expanding into retail, currently open two days a week for walk-in sales. That service-first DNA still shows: they monitor tanks for traveling customers, troubleshoot Apex Pro failures remotely, and spend unhurried time geeking out over reef chemistry and coral husbandry with anyone who walks through the door.
The coral selection is the main draw, and reviewers consistently call it the best in Colorado. SPS lovers in particular will find multi-branched, fully encrusted frags with vivid coloration — not fresh cuts, but established pieces grown and propagated in-house. Their aquaculture approach means healthier livestock and a sustainability focus that translates to better survivability in your home reef. Multiple reviewers report dipping their new corals and finding them completely pest-free, a testament to the quarantine protocols highlighted in Underwater Wonders' own description. Pricing is competitive, with customers noting they receive what other vendors would label XL frags at standard prices.
The shop also ships coral nationwide, with reviewers comparing their quality to top-tier online vendors like WWC and TSA. Packaging is thorough — generous water volume, secure wrapping — and communication throughout the ordering process is praised as excellent.
Beyond livestock, Underwater Wonders carries saltwater equipment and supplies, and their service side handles tank installation, relocation, and ongoing maintenance. Seth and Garrett also sponsor a local high school biotechnology class studying zooxanthellae, donating coral, equipment, and weekly mentorship to students exploring marine science.
The tanks inside are immaculate, the fish stock is healthy, and the atmosphere is welcoming without being pushy. For anyone maintaining a reef tank in Northern Colorado, this shop has earned its devoted following through quality, expertise, and genuine care for the hobby.
Aquatic Art Inc. in Highlands Ranch has built a devoted following among Colorado's saltwater community, and it's easy to see why. Walk through the door and you're immediately surrounded by an extraordinary density of coral — SPS, Xenia, and everything in between — displayed in immaculate tanks with clear pricing and fish identification photos that make browsing a pleasure rather than a guessing game. The shop wastes no space on filler; every frag and every fish earns its spot on the rack.
The coral selection is the obvious headliner. Reviewers consistently describe being overwhelmed — in the best way — by the sheer volume and variety on offer, with price points accessible enough that many customers have stocked 90% of their reef tanks exclusively from this shop. Marine fish are equally well-curated, arriving in healthy condition whether purchased in-store or shipped to your door. Invertebrates like hermit crabs round out the livestock, and the team packages animals in styrofoam containers for customers facing long drives home.
Free RODI and premixed saltwater is a major draw, dispensed through an easy self-service setup that keeps regulars coming back weekly. The shop also carries saltwater equipment, supplements, food, and maintenance accessories — enough to support a full reef build from scratch. Staff members like Chris, Tyler, Ressa, and Brandon are cited by name again and again for their willingness to spend serious time walking through tank setups, troubleshooting water chemistry, and even fielding after-hours calls when a customer accidentally bleached their SPS.
What sets Aquatic Art apart is an ethos of honest guidance over aggressive sales. Multiple reviewers note that staff have refused to sell incompatible fish and declined to push unnecessary products when water parameters weren't right. The store is frequently busy — patience is recommended — but that crowd is itself a testament. For anyone running a saltwater tank in the greater Denver and Highlands Ranch area, this is the local fish store that keeps pulling people back every weekend to see what's new on the frag racks.
InsideReef in Colorado Springs is the kind of aquarium shop that turns casual fish keepers into devoted hobbyists — and it's almost entirely because of Ray, the owner whose passion and expertise permeate every corner of the store. With a dedicated freshwater side and saltwater side, the shop stocks a thoughtful variety of healthy fish, from golden Dojo loaches and oscars to gem tangs and neon rainbowfish, plus corals, shrimp, and live plants that customers rave about. Ray will even special-order species he doesn't currently carry, like that school of freshwater neon rainbowfish one longtime customer had been searching for.
What sets InsideReef apart from other Colorado Springs fish stores is the quarantine process. Every fish is held and observed before being made available for sale, which means customers are taking home healthy, disease-free animals. Multiple reviewers report their fish thriving long after purchase — a testament to the care that goes into the store's livestock management.
Ray's involvement doesn't stop at the register. He's plumbed saltwater tank setups for customers, assembled stands, helped diagnose deteriorating aquarium sealant that would have caused a disaster, and even guided one customer through a 1,100-mile fish relocation from Colorado to Kentucky. He's the kind of owner who will help on his day off, hold fish during a customer's move, or take in rehomed animals when someone can no longer keep them.
The store itself has a community feel — there's a couch where kids can sit, regulars stop by to hang out and talk shop, and Ray's mom sells beautiful houseplants, including sought-after monstera albos. It's clean, well-stocked with aquarium supplies, and carries an appealing mix of freshwater and saltwater livestock alongside live plants that axolotl owners and planted tank enthusiasts appreciate alike.
For anyone building a tank in the Springs — freshwater community setup, saltwater reef, or something in between — InsideReef offers the rare combination of genuinely healthy livestock, honest guidance, and an owner who treats every customer like a friend.
Tucked into Firestone, Colorado, Biggslagoon has become a destination saltwater shop that draws reefers from as far as Denver — and they'll tell you the drive is worth every mile. This family-owned and operated store specializes almost exclusively in marine livestock, with a coral selection that reviewers describe as unlike anything they've seen in person. Wellso brain corals, duncan corals, rock flower anemones, and pieces customers say they've never even heard of before line immaculate tanks alongside clownfish pairs, chromis schools, tiger pistol shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp, and tangs.
The show tanks alone are worth the visit — stunning reef displays that double as living proof of the team's expertise. Dale, Josh, Nick, and the rest of the Biggs family treat every customer interaction like a mentoring session. One newcomer described Dale spending over an hour explaining saltwater fundamentals without a hint of impatience. Another returned after tearing down a failed setup years earlier, and the team helped them find a tank on marketplace, educated them for hours, and never pushed unnecessary purchases.
Biggslagoon offers high-tech water testing that customers rely on weekly, and their live phytoplankton has earned a loyal following among coral growers seeing accelerated results. Their tank maintenance plans have literally saved tanks from being sold — one customer was ready to part with a marine setup after three years of downtime until Josh walked them through modern filtration options and ongoing service. The store also ships coral, with reviews praising Josh's careful packaging and responsive communication from box to tank.
The coral dipping service, consultation-first sales approach, and willingness to steer customers away from purchases that won't work for their setup build real trust. Tanks are spotless, prices are consistently praised as fair, and the atmosphere feels more like visiting friends who happen to have an incredible reef shop. For saltwater hobbyists along Colorado's Front Range, Biggslagoon has built exactly the kind of community-driven store the hobby needs.
Fins Up Reef Co. opened its doors in Littleton, Colorado in late 2024, and it's already being called one of the best saltwater stores in the state. Owner Ryan runs a tight operation just off C-470, with a focus on quality corals, saltwater fish, and reef tank services that has earned the shop a devoted following in the Denver metro area.
The first thing everyone notices is how immaculately clean the store is — multiple reviewers call it the cleanest aquarium shop in Colorado, and that's not hyperbole. The coral displays are well-lit and meticulously organized, showcasing everything from OG mushrooms and grail-level pieces to more accessible frags. Ryan has earned a reputation as a skilled coral propagator, and his pricing on high-end corals consistently undercuts online retailers. The fish selection, while focused squarely on saltwater, features healthy livestock that reflects genuine care behind the scenes.
What really defines Fins Up is Ryan's hands-on approach. He walks customers through every step of building and maintaining a reef tank — equipment recommendations, coral placement, water chemistry. One customer recounted a freshwater fish emergency where Ryan tested their water for ammonia and helped protect baby shrimp, despite the store not even carrying freshwater livestock. That kind of service is hard to find.
Beyond the retail side, Fins Up offers professional tank maintenance and setup services. Ryan and his team have transported and set up tanks as large as 150 gallons with zero livestock losses, and they'll look after your system while you're out of town. The shop also carries dry goods and equipment to keep your reef running smoothly.
For reef keepers along the Front Range, Fins Up Reef Co. has quickly become the local fish store that earns loyalty through fair pricing, pristine facilities, and the kind of genuine expertise that makes you want to start another tank. Just call ahead to confirm hours before making the drive.
Chow Down Pet Supplies is a beloved locally owned pet store with two locations in Grand Junction and Fruita, Colorado, that has earned a fiercely loyal following across Mesa County. While this isn't an aquarium shop — it's a dedicated dog, cat, and small animal supply store — its reputation for premium nutrition and genuine customer care has made it a cornerstone of the local pet community.
What sets Chow Down apart is its curated selection of high-quality, ethically sourced pet foods that you won't find at big-box retailers. The shelves are stocked with premium kibble, raw dog food, bones, and a massive selection of frozen, refrigerated, and dehydrated meat-based meal options for both dogs and cats. They deliberately avoid grocery-store-grade products, focusing instead on healthier alternatives. They also carry locally made products, including food and water dishes crafted in the region, supporting the Western Slope economy.
The staff is the store's secret weapon. Reviewers consistently rave about employees like Meghan and groomer Alex, who go out of their way to help customers find exactly what they need — from specialty stomach food for a cat recovering from surgery to recovery suits for post-operative dogs. The grooming services have earned particular praise for handling anxious dogs with patience and skill. Free delivery is available for those who can't make it in, a service that busy pet owners deeply appreciate.
Beyond the products, Chow Down cultivates genuine community connection. One heartbreaking review describes a manager named Amy offering treats and compassion to a dog recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, reducing the owners to tears with her kindness. The store also features a cat room, an impressive selection of enrichment toys, puppy boots, and a loyalty program that rewards repeat food purchases with a free bag.
For Grand Junction pet owners seeking premium nutrition, thoughtful product curation, and staff who treat every animal like family, Chow Down is the clear local favorite.
Beasties in Pueblo, Colorado is first and foremost a reptile destination — and one of the most passionate ones you'll find in the region. While the Google listing calls it a pet store, don't walk in expecting dog kibble or cat toys. This is a shop built for the exotic animal enthusiast, stocked wall-to-wall with snakes, lizards, frogs, arachnids, and the supplies to keep them thriving. Owner Ron and his team have earned a devoted following by genuinely caring about the animals they sell and the people who buy them.
The reptile selection is what draws people in. Reviewers rave about the variety of morphs across multiple species — from bearded dragons and leopard geckos to bull snakes, rhino rat snakes, and iguanas. They also carry pacman frogs, axolotls, jumping spiders, millipedes, and isopods for the invertebrate crowd. One customer drove away from a Morphmarket purchase shipped directly from Beasties with a "perfectly healthy and stunning" rhino ratsnake, praising the communication and photo updates throughout the process.
Beyond live animals, the dry goods selection is robust enough that multiple reviewers have stopped ordering online altogether. Substrates, lighting, enclosure décor, Pangea gecko diet, and feeder insects — particularly crickets, which customers say outlast those from big-box competitors — are all staples. The staff doesn't just ring you up; they remember your animals, suggest products tailored to your setup, and freely offer husbandry advice even for pets purchased elsewhere. One customer called in when her daughter's leopard gecko stopped eating and received a thorough, reassuring explanation over the phone.
The vibe is relaxed and welcoming. Multiple reviewers describe spending time just browsing and watching the animals without feeling pressured. It's the kind of place where a first-time reptile owner can walk in nervous and leave confident, fully equipped, and already planning their next pet. For Pueblo's exotic animal community, Beasties isn't just a store — it's a resource.
Aqua Rocks Colorado in Commerce City has built a devoted following among Colorado's freshwater aquascaping community, and it's not hard to see why. The store is essentially a destination shop for hardscape — driftwood, spider wood, and rocks are stocked in quantities and quality that reviewers consistently call unmatched in the Denver metro area. Customers drive up from as far as Colorado Springs specifically for the selection, which speaks volumes about what owner Tommy and his team have built here.
The live plant inventory is extensive and healthy, and the store carries CO2 equipment and aquascaping supplies that go well beyond what you'd find at a big-box pet retailer. Tommy himself is frequently cited as a trusted authority on planted tank setups, particularly CO2 injection systems — one reviewer called him the only expert they trust on the subject. Staff have helped customers after hours with setup questions, a level of personal investment that's rare in the hobby retail space.
The display tanks throughout the store are genuinely stunning and serve as real inspiration for customers planning their own aquascapes. Reviewers note the shop is immaculately clean and well-organized, creating an inviting browsing experience. Fish stock includes species like celestial pearl danios (CPDs), discus, corydoras, and tetras, with multiple reviewers praising the health of the animals. The store also caters to budget-conscious beginners, helping newcomers find quality starter supplies without the markup.
Aqua Rocks has established partnerships within the local aquatics community, including with businesses like Exotic Aquatic, and Tommy is active in Colorado aquarium groups. The store stocks what appear to be ADA-style products alongside a broad range of freshwater aquascaping gear. For anyone in the Front Range building a planted freshwater tank, this Commerce City shop is worth the drive — the combination of premium hardscape selection, healthy plants and fish, and genuinely knowledgeable staff is hard to replicate anywhere else in the state.
Western Slope Aquatics has been a fixture of Grand Junction's aquarium community for years, earning deep loyalty from fishkeepers across Colorado's Western Slope and beyond — customers drive from as far as Ridgway and Eagle to shop here. Run by Amy (Ami), Dave, and a tight-knit crew including Heather and Tom, this family-operated store delivers the kind of personalized, long-term care that big-box retailers simply can't match. Staff remember your setup, track your progress, and coach you through every stage of the hobby.
The store stocks a strong selection of both freshwater and saltwater fish, with reviewers noting consistently healthy tanks and regular new shipments. Saltwater enthusiasts will find marine fish and invertebrates — one happy customer reported thriving skunk cleaner shrimp and gobies after Amy walked them through their first reef-ready livestock additions and all the supplementary gear they needed. On the freshwater side, the shop carries live plants, blackwater botanicals, and a rotating cast of unique species. Bettas here live in proper tanks rather than cups, a detail that speaks volumes about the store's ethics.
Free water testing is available, and staff are happy to help plan full tank setups — even months in advance, as one customer experienced while mapping out a 75-gallon build. The equipment selection is notably deep, with hard-to-find aquarium supplies that dedicated hobbyists specifically road-trip to pick up. Pricing consistently draws praise, with multiple reviewers noting that Western Slope Aquatics competes favorably against larger alternatives.
The atmosphere is warm and community-driven. Longtime customers recall visiting as children and now return as adults, building relationships with staff who treat fishkeeping as a shared passion rather than a transaction. Some customers have worked with Amy and Dave for over a decade, absorbing knowledge that has transformed their home aquariums. For anyone in Grand Junction or the surrounding valley looking for healthy fish, quality supplies, and genuine expertise, Western Slope Aquatics has earned its reputation as the region's go-to aquatics shop.
Walk into Ray's Tank in Northglenn, Colorado, and you'll immediately understand why this freshwater fish store has earned fierce loyalty from Denver-area hobbyists. The walls are lined with well-maintained tanks holding an ever-rotating cast of exotic and rare species — giant arowanas, alligator gar, fahaka puffers, tiger parrot fish, blood parrots, Oranda goldfish, bettas, and wild-caught specimens you simply won't find at big-box pet stores. It's the kind of place where you might walk in just to look and leave genuinely amazed.
The staff is the real engine behind Ray's Tank's reputation. Names like Jacob, Eric, and Zach come up again and again in customer conversations — not just for being friendly, but for taking real time with people. Jacob has walked newcomers through the entire process of cycling a fishless tank, explained cichlid compatibility for those considering a blood parrot setup, and helped families with young kids pick their first fish. Eric has guided customers through live plant selections that actually survive and thrive at home. These aren't rushed transactions; they're genuine consultations where the staff will tell you to wait if your tank isn't ready rather than push a sale.
Beyond fish, Ray's carries a solid selection of live aquatic plants, freshwater shrimp, snails, and accessories like heaters. Customers regularly note that prices are competitive with online retailers, and the shop is generous — tossing in an extra plant if one looks questionable or not sweating an extra shrimp that slipped into the bag.
The tanks themselves are clean and the fish consistently look healthy, a detail that experienced hobbyists notice immediately. Owner Ray and his team have built something that feels less like a retail store and more like a hub for the freshwater community. If you're anywhere near the Denver metro and serious about exotic freshwater fish, Ray's Tank has earned its spot as the go-to shop.
