About
Aquatic Dog in Denver, Colorado is a sprawling, family-owned pet store that has carved out a devoted following among freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. Walk through the doors and you'll find a spacious, well-organized layout — a refreshing contrast to the cramped aisles of many fish shops. Multiple reviewers note that water changes are constantly happening on the sales floor, a sign that livestock health is taken seriously.
A resident 14-year-old piranha serves as the unofficial store mascot. The freshwater fish selection is a genuine draw. Nano fish get particular praise, along with a rotating cast of loaches, endlers, and livebearers.
The betta section stands out: fish are housed in proper tanks rather than tiny cups, and the variety earns near-universal admiration. Shrimp keepers and planted tank hobbyists will find live aquatic plants and aquascaping materials well stocked. The store also carries axolotls, which pull in a steady stream of curious buyers.
Beyond fish, Aquatic Dog doubles as a full-spectrum exotic pet destination. Tarantulas, jumping spiders, millipedes, reptiles, and even the occasional sea snake make appearances. The inventory leans heavily toward creatures you simply won't encounter at a chain pet store.
Staff members like Brandon and Eric are frequently called out by name for their patience and willingness to walk customers through tank setups, reptile care, and species compatibility. A few caveats worth noting: the store requires a waiver at purchase stating they aren't responsible for fish health post-sale, which has frustrated some buyers who experienced losses. The presence of puppies for sale in the back of the store is a polarizing topic — some shoppers find it incongruous with an aquatics-focused shop.
For Denver-area fishkeepers looking for healthy nano fish, quality bettas, live plants, and hard-to-find invertebrates backed by genuinely engaged staff, Aquatic Dog delivers an experience that big-box retailers can't touch. The store's social media presence keeps regulars informed about restocks and deals, making repeat visits easy to plan.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Bettas housed in proper tanks instead of tiny cups with extensive variety
- Resident 14-year-old piranha as a store mascot
- Strong nano fish and shrimp selection for freshwater hobbyists
- Spacious, clean layout with constant water changes on the floor
- Exotic invertebrates including tarantulas, jumping spiders, and millipedes
From keepers
Customer reviews
“An amazing pet store specializing in all types of fish, amphibians with pet food and accessories. It’s like a trip to a small sea world. All the creatures are well managed with wonderful displays and exotic species you won’t find anywhere else. Their staff are kind and patient answering all your questions. A fun place to go for anyone.”
— nina ovadia5.0Edited 2 days ago“This is the place to go. Period. Fantastic staff. Fantastic inventory. Highly experienced staff. A+ Two of the beautiful Betta's we've purchased here.”
— Gideon Benjamin5.0Edited 3 days ago“Cool selection of fish and good place for aquarium supplies. The puppies in the back are awesome too.”
— Nathan Jett5.06 days ago“I wanted to share my experience so others are aware. The staff was polite, but I was required to sign a waiver stating the store is not responsible for the health of the fish after purchase, which I had never encountered before at a fish store. Unfortunately, two of the fish I purchased died shortly after being added to a tank that had been cycling for two weeks and was testing within normal parameters. After later reading other recent reviews mentioning similar issues and concerns about the waiver, I don’t feel comfortable purchasing fish here again. Edit: it's been 36 hours and all 4 of the male endlers I bought have now passed.”
— Charley Buckingham1.0a week ago“I breed giant cave roaches, and sold nymphs to this store twice. They're difficult to find because other hobby stores don't want them, I've learned.”
— Elias Arana5.0a week ago“Been coming here for years, good place to buy doggy toys”
— Valerie Hernandez5.02 weeks ago“Amazing Place. My favorite pet store by far. Great selection of healthy fish and other animals! Check them out!”
— Sick5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Great pet shop!!! Good unique reptile selection and My favorite spot for healthy nano Fish, betta and shrimp!”
— Wicked Boa’s5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“We called in and asked if they had a fish in stock and how much they wre. We were told they had several, that they would hold 6 for me for an hour until I could drive down from the mountains. When I got here, they only had two and they wanted to charge me 150% more for each one. I drove an hour each way to just have my time wasted. I asked two different employees for help to get fish before I finally found someone who would actually help me. When I went to pay and explained the price on the phone, the employee made no effort to make it right or help me. Very disappointing”
— Danielle Payne1.03 weeks ago“They really care about the fishes they sales Always the best quality”
— Oren Schwartz5.0Edited 3 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (303) 369-8812 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquatic Dog.