--- type: store name: "Aquarium & Reef Center" city: "Cape Coral" state: "FL" rating: 4.6 reviews: 246 url: https://www.fishstores.org/florida/cape-coral/aquarium-and-reef-center --- # Aquarium & Reef Center Fish store in Cape Coral, Florida - **Address**: 231 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33990, Cape Coral, FL, 33990 - **Phone**: (239) 242-2230 - **Website**: [www.areefcenter.com/](http://www.areefcenter.com/) - **Rating**: 4.6/5 (246 reviews) ## Hours | Day | Hours | | --- | --- | | Monday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Tuesday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Wednesday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Thursday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Friday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Saturday | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM | | Sunday | Closed | ## About Tucked into a strip plaza in Cape Coral next to a hearing aid shop, Aquarium & Reef Center is the kind of family-run fish store that inspires fierce loyalty. Owners John and Brandy have built a devoted following over the years, with customers praising their willingness to answer endless questions, special-order hard-to-find fish, and walk newcomers through everything from cycling a first freshwater tank to stocking a 75-gallon reef system. The store's strongest draw is its coral selection. Reviewers consistently call out rare specimen pieces and an ever-rotating inventory of frags that reward repeat visits. Saltwater hobbyists will find the reef livestock well-curated, and the owners clearly prioritize the marine side of the business — something freshwater-only keepers have noticed, though the shop still stocks a solid range of freshwater species, including cichlids, bettas, nerite snails, and live plants like duckweed and red floaters. Brandy handles much of the day-to-day interaction and has earned a reputation as a straight-shooter who will steer customers away from bad purchases rather than chase a sale. John feeds the cichlid addicts and helps source unusual species on request. Together they've cultivated a store culture that prizes animal health — multiple reviewers note that fish bought here simply survive and thrive, a contrast to their experiences elsewhere in the Cape Coral and Fort Myers area. The shop is compact and dimly lit, which some visitors find atmospheric and others find off-putting. A few reviews mention heat and tank cleanliness concerns, so set expectations accordingly — this is an enthusiast's workshop, not a polished retail showroom. Prices are generally regarded as fair and often cheaper than big-box alternatives. For Cape Coral reef hobbyists searching for quality coral, honest guidance, and a store that remembers your name and your tank parameters, Aquarium & Reef Center delivers a personal touch that chain stores simply cannot match. They also maintain a second location in Fort Myers. ## Specializations - **Water Types**: Freshwater, Saltwater - **Livestock & Products**: Corals, Reef, Bettas, Cichlids, Live Plants, Invertebrates, Rare Species - **Services**: Consultation, Water Testing, Tank Maintenance - **Known For**: Knowledgeable Staff, Good Prices ## Highlights - Exceptional coral selection with rare specimen pieces and rotating frag inventory - Family-owned by John and Brandy with deep saltwater and freshwater expertise - Healthy livestock with multiple reviewers reporting zero fish losses after switching here - Will special-order specific fish species on customer request - Competitive pricing often cheaper than PetSmart and Petco ## Customer Reviews **"STACEY DIGNA"** - 5/5 - a week ago > Very reasonable pricing for great service **"Matt Demayo"** - 5/5 - 4 weeks ago > John and Brandi are the best! You better listen, too! **"5XL"** - 5/5 - Edited a month ago > Great customer service and great prices **"Kimberly Sowle"** - 2/5 - 6 months ago > It was so dark inside **"Christine Counley"** - 5/5 - 6 months ago > Brandy is so knowledgeable and helpful. **"Seizes"** - 5/5 - 8 months ago > Great staff, very helpful and casual. As a newb with less than a year with fishes, they’ve been my go to for equipment and plants. **"Nikary Contreras"** - 5/5 - 10 months ago > Great place **"Madison Marquis"** - 1/5 - a year ago > Walked in then right back out, there’s no ac in there, it reeks of mold, and all of their tanks look disgusting, there’s a fish store right down the road called seven seas aquatics and I’ll go there every time. The mold smell from this place gave me a headache! **"Triston Chrisenberry"** - 5/5 - a year ago > Great place to find rare corals and specimen pieces for your reef tank. I've been a customer for years and I still find new things every time I go in. **"Ther Lao"** - 5/5 - a year ago > Best aquarium to buy healthy Betta fish. ## Nearby Stores - [Seven Seas Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/cape-coral/seven-seas-aquatics) - Cape Coral, FL - 4.9/5 - [AJ's Aquariums LLC](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/gulfport/ajs-aquariums-llc) - Gulfport, FL - 5.0/5 - [Aquarium Reef Illusions](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/orange-city/aquarium-reef-illusions) - Orange City, FL - 5.0/5 - [Heeeere Fishy Fishy](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/gainesville/heeeere-fishy-fishy) - Gainesville, FL - 5.0/5 - [Hydros Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/miami/hydros-aquatics) - Miami, FL - 5.0/5 - [Rainbow River Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/port-st-lucie/rainbow-river-aquatics) - Port St. Lucie, FL - 5.0/5 --- *Source: [FishStores.org](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/cape-coral/aquarium-and-reef-center)* *Last updated: February 7, 2026*