About
Fantastic Fish on Fowler Street in Fort Myers is the kind of tropical fish store that inspires strong opinions. Owner Tom has built a devoted following among saltwater hobbyists who swear by his deep knowledge and honest guidance. One longtime customer credits Tom with helping them conquer a persistent green string algae problem in their reef tank at home, and multiple reviewers single him out as the go-to resource for saltwater setups in the Fort Myers area.
His passion for the hobby comes through in every conversation — this isn't someone just moving product. The store carries both freshwater and saltwater fish, with reviewers noting the saltwater selection is particularly impressive. You'll find aquatic plants at reasonable prices, and the shop stocks species you won't easily find elsewhere in Southwest Florida, including some rarer fish that dedicated hobbyists seek out.
There's also supplies for turtle and tortoise keepers, plus general aquarium equipment, food, and dry goods. And yes, there's a resident cat who greets visitors at the door — a charming touch that reviewers love. Honesty demands acknowledging what comes up repeatedly in reviews: tank maintenance is inconsistent.
Several visitors describe heavy algae growth obscuring fish, dirty water, and occasionally dead fish in display tanks. The store's physical space has seen better days, with some reviewers noting construction that appears unfinished, damaged ceiling tiles, and a noticeable smell upon entry. These are legitimate concerns that prospective visitors should be aware of.
That said, the customers who return do so because of Tom's expertise and genuine care for helping people succeed with their tanks. His consultation on saltwater systems draws particular praise, and his pricing is generally considered fair. Fantastic Fish operates as a true small business where the owner's knowledge is the primary product.
If you're in Fort Myers and need real guidance — especially on a saltwater tank — Tom's reputation speaks for itself. Just go in knowing this is a function-over-form kind of shop.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Tom is widely praised for exceptional saltwater tank knowledge and honest guidance
- Strong saltwater fish selection with rare species not found at other local stores
- Aquatic plants available at affordable prices
- Resident cat greets customers at the door
- Supplies for turtle and tortoise keepers alongside fish inventory
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Best place”
— Jorge luis Beltre melo5.0a month ago“Friendly helpful staff, a good variety of products.”
— David Harris5.0a month ago“Friendly staff good prices”
— Darren Hoagland5.0a month ago“Really helpful”
— Antonio Mendez5.0a month ago“Awesome selection of fresh, salt and aquatic plants. Very knowledgeable staff and many rarer fish you just don't see anywhere else.”
— Tom B5.0a month ago“This is such a poorly kept store. Dead fish, tanks are so dirty you cant even see inside. Cleanliness of the store is sad. Tortoises in the dark, with flies all over them, no natural sunlight, they look like they arent taken care of. The place smells terrible, ceiling tiles hanging, broken, waterlogged and damaged. Just a sad, dirty place. I felt so bad for anything living here because they cant do anything about it and are being what looks to me "abused". I dont recommend this place. I think the fish and tortoises need to be rescued.”
— Alex1.0a month ago“Very cool place 😎 lots of different style fish and aquarium type stuff. We have 2 turtles and they had some things for them too.”
— Dean Williams5.03 months ago“Always got what I need and always glad to help with any questions I may have.”
— Alejandro De Jesus5.05 months ago“Thank you for helping me build a awesome place for my beta fish to live in. 🐠”
— Alvaro Cappas5.05 months ago“My favorite place to get my fish. Very friendly and knowledgeable and they are always willing to help you”
— Valerie Roach5.05 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (239) 888-5345 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fantastic Fish.