Frags 2 Fishes has quickly become the go-to saltwater and reef destination in Wilmington, Delaware, earning near-universal praise from hobbyists across the region — including converts from Philadelphia and even visitors from San Diego who found corals they couldn't track down on the West Coast. The store's name tells you where the heart is: frags first, fish second, with a robust coral selection that ranges from soft corals to favias and everything in between. Nick, the store's towering coral expert, is repeatedly singled out by name for his deep reef knowledge, whether he's diagnosing copper levels in a customer's tank or walking a complete newcomer through their first saltwater setup without a hint of condescension.
The shop occupies a compact footprint, but the display tanks are showstoppers — immaculately maintained and stocked with healthy, energetic livestock. Beyond corals, the saltwater inventory includes anthias pairs, tiger pistol shrimp, hermit crabs, and assorted cleanup crew invertebrates. Freshwater gets attention too, with a curated selection of bettas (notably not kept in cups) and other tropical species. The dry goods side is serious: customers have walked out with Hydros aquarium controllers, Kessil A80 lights, Sicce return pumps, and protein skimmers, often spending more than they planned after getting caught up in enthusiastic gear conversations with staff members Will and Miles.
Tank maintenance is part of the business, and the store ships corals nationally, making it accessible even to hobbyists who can't visit in person. Staff members like Will, Miles, and Anaya create an atmosphere that's educational and genuinely fun — letting kids hold hermit crabs, handing out stickers, and sending young visitors home with aquarium magazines. For anyone in the Delaware Valley wrestling with a tank bloom, planning a reef build, or just looking to add a few new softies, Frags 2 Fishes delivers hands-on expertise and healthy livestock in a spotless, welcoming environment.
Tucked away on Barl Court in Dover, Delaware, Aquatics Super Store — known locally as Super Cichlids & More — is a veteran-owned tropical fish shop that has earned near-universal devotion from its customers. Owner Lisa, an ichthyologist by training, and her husband have built out roughly 100 tanks ranging from 10 to 20 gallons, each immaculately maintained and stocked with an extraordinary variety of freshwater species. The cichlid selection is the headline act — OB Peacocks, African varieties, and more — but the store's reach extends well beyond that. Columbian red-tailed tetras, Dalmatian mollies, rainbow fish, neon tetras, and a rotating cast of tropical species fill the racks, alongside healthy invertebrates and live plants with robust root systems and vivid color.
What sets this shop apart is the quarantine protocol for incoming fish, a detail that serious hobbyists will appreciate. New arrivals are isolated and monitored before hitting the sales floor, which contributes to the consistently healthy livestock that reviewers rave about. The store also breeds some of its own cichlids in-house, adding another layer of quality control.
Staff members like Chris, Sarah, and Tyler aren't just knowledgeable — they're genuinely invested. Tyler has been known to call and text customers after a purchase to check on how their tank is doing. Chris walks newcomers through plant care and stocking decisions with patience. Sarah guides experienced cichlid keepers toward the right OB Peacocks. Nobody here pushes unnecessary products.
Beyond the brick-and-mortar experience, the store runs an online presence through Amazon and their own website, shipping fish food and supplies with handwritten notes and free samples — a personal touch that has converted distant buyers into loyal customers. The shop stocks natural driftwood, rocks, quality fish foods, and a solid range of aquarium equipment.
Prices run slightly above big-box stores, but the health guarantee and expert guidance justify every dollar. Customers regularly drive one to two hours each way. For freshwater enthusiasts on the Eastern Shore and beyond, this is the real deal.
Tucked away in Frankford, Delaware, Discus Hans USA is a dedicated discus breeding operation that has built a national reputation among freshwater enthusiasts. Run by Hans (often referred to as Mr. Hans or Jacobus by customers), this appointment-only facility specializes in raising hardy, vibrant discus in a range of colors and sizes, from 2.5-inch juveniles to full-grown show specimens. The operation also keeps striking black angelfish with blue undertones and large Oscars, though discus are unquestionably the star of the show.
What sets Discus Hans apart is the breeder's hands-on approach. Customers routinely describe long, unhurried conversations where Hans walks them through water parameters, tank stocking strategies, and feeding routines — often recommending specific group sizes like his popular "6 three-inch special" or suggesting groups of ten for larger tanks. Several reviewers who had previously lost discus purchased from big-box stores found that Hans's fish proved remarkably resilient, with some reporting zero losses after six months. That kind of track record has earned him a following that drives hours to visit in person.
Shipping is a major part of the business, and most reviews praise the packaging and overnight delivery, with fish arriving healthy and active. Hans works with customers on timing and variety, sometimes waiting for new shipments to offer better selection. A few buyers have noted higher-than-expected shipping costs, so it's worth discussing logistics upfront.
The facility itself is clean and well-organized, with rows of tanks housing healthy, colorful discus ready for selection. For those who can make the trip to Delaware's Sussex County, the in-person experience is worth it — customers describe being welcomed warmly and given honest advice, including being told when their tank wouldn't accommodate certain fish. Hans clearly breeds discus because he loves them, and that passion translates into fish that thrive long after they leave his care.
Armco Aquatics in Wilmington, Delaware has built a reputation over nearly two decades as the go-to aquarium service company for homes, restaurants, medical offices, senior facilities, and childcare centers across the region. This isn't your typical fish store with rows of display tanks to browse — Armco is a full-service aquarium design, installation, and maintenance operation, and their client roster proves the model works.
The company's technicians — Tyler, Peter, Connor, Dave, Frank, and Kirby among them — are the backbone of the operation. Tyler maintains tanks at Ludwig's Grill and Oyster Bar, a senior facility, multiple doctors' offices, and long-standing residential clients, some of whom have been with Armco for 15 to 18 years. Peter has earned a reputation as a "reef keeper extraordinaire," handling everything from saltwater reef systems to a 200-gallon turtle tank with monthly decor changes. Connor services childcare centers and home aquariums, earning praise for his patience in answering questions. Each technician brings genuine passion — reviewers consistently note that these aren't people just going through the motions.
Armco handles both freshwater and saltwater setups, from planted tanks to full reef builds with corals. One long-time client at Wyman Orthodontics specifically highlights their care for a beloved pufferfish. Installations range from restaurant showpieces that draw compliments from every guest to calming saltwater tanks in private homes. Their emergency response is remarkable — one client recalls a technician driving from Maryland on Christmas Eve to address a leaking tank.
Owner Rich and service manager Andy oversee operations, while Daniel in the office keeps communication smooth. The consistency is what stands out most: monthly visits, thorough cleanings, thoughtful fish selection, and reliable follow-through. For anyone in the Wilmington area looking to install a statement aquarium or finally get proper ongoing maintenance for an existing tank, Armco Aquatics delivers the kind of service that keeps clients loyal for a decade or more.
William's Greenbank Aquarium in Wilmington, Delaware is the kind of old-school fish store that inspires loyalty measured in decades. Customers who came here as children are still walking through the door at 40, and hobbyists regularly drive an hour or more from Maryland and New Jersey just to browse the tanks. The reason is straightforward: owner Bill knows his stuff, and he runs a tight ship.
The store's strength is its massive freshwater selection. Reviewers rave about species you won't find at chain stores — leopard bush fish, green severums, blue lobsters, fancy shrimp, and GloFish all make appearances alongside a healthy live plant section. There's also a saltwater side with beautiful specimens and coral, though freshwater clearly dominates the floor. Bill recently added axolotls to the lineup as well, expanding an already diverse inventory that includes a solid reptile collection featuring rare snake variants, bearded dragons, tarantulas, and more.
What sets Greenbank apart is Bill's consultative approach. He offers free water testing — a rarity that multiple reviewers specifically call out after paying $10 per test elsewhere. One customer recounted how Bill walked them through draining their tank, getting it to temperature, and returning the next day for a free test before going home with a healthy betta and live plants. That kind of hands-on guidance, delivered with confidence and zero pressure, is the store's signature.
The tanks and enclosures are conspicuously clean and well-maintained. Fish look healthy with full bellies — a pointed contrast to the chain store specimens reviewers compare them against. Prices are consistently described as fair and reasonable, with customers noting they get exactly what they pay for.
Bill is direct, opinionated, and generous with his time. He'll tell you what he thinks about species pairing, recommend the right products, and remember your name when you walk back in. After more than 40 years serving Wilmington's aquarium community, this is a store built entirely on trust and expertise.
Just Fish in Bear, Delaware is a long-running, family-operated tropical fish store that elicits strong opinions from its customers — and for good reason. The shop stocks a genuinely impressive variety of freshwater, saltwater, and pond fish, along with live plants, shrimp (cherry and neocaridina varieties), puffers (including avocado and porcupine puffers), and small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. Several reviewers note the selection is one of the best in the Bear area, and regulars praise the staff — particularly owner Carleen — for being knowledgeable and patient, taking time to help families pick compatible fish for community tanks and educating newer hobbyists on proper care.
The store also serves as a rescue operation, taking in animals whose owners can no longer care for them, which earns it genuine loyalty from a segment of its customer base. Longtime visitors appreciate its small-business character and community involvement, including donations and animal rescues.
However, Just Fish is a polarizing destination. A significant number of reviewers raise serious concerns about store cleanliness and animal welfare. Complaints about algae-coated tanks, visible fish diseases like ich, dead fish in displays, and cramped enclosures for larger specimens like koi appear repeatedly. Some customers have reported outdated supplements on shelves and an overwhelming ammonia smell. The store's lack of any health guarantee on purchased animals is another sticking point, especially given the higher-than-average pricing — honey gouramis at $15 and single neocaridina shrimp at $10-12 have raised eyebrows.
For planted tank enthusiasts, the live plant selection is a draw, and those who've purchased cherry shrimp and plants report good results in their home aquariums. The freshwater selection remains the store's strongest suit. If you visit, come prepared: many experienced fishkeepers recommend quarantining any purchases. Just Fish has the bones of a great local fish store — deep inventory, passionate ownership, decades of experience — but the inconsistent upkeep makes every visit something of a gamble.
