William's Greenbank Aquarium Inc

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.