About
8-star reputation across more than 400 reviews — by stocking livestock you simply won't find at the big-box chains. Owner Darrell is a longtime hobbyist whose passion shows in the clean, well-maintained display tanks, and if the fish you want isn't in stock, the team keeps a call list to let you know when it arrives. The freshwater side is a real draw, with cichlids, bettas, and an ever-changing wall of healthy, hard-to-find fish for sale in Lakeland, FL, alongside aquatic plants and shrimp for planted tanks.
On the saltwater side it earns the aquarium store name: marine fish, corals, and reef inhabitants like hammer coral and rainbow bubble tip anemones that recent shoppers happily carried home. Pond keepers come for koi and pond plants, and the staff are glad to talk through pond and tank maintenance. Looking for koi for sale near me, or help with a first 10-gallon setup?
This is the shop locals point you to. Service is genuinely personal. Shelly walked one first-timer through every step of cycling a new tank, with repeat free water testing until it was ready for fish; Darrell and the crew share photos of their own tanks and help you spec equipment for a fresh build.
They'll even take a fish back for partial store credit if it doesn't fit your system. A friendly resident dog — described by regulars as a "miniature horse" — greets familiar faces at the door. Prices are widely called fair, and the store is open seven days a week.
A handful of visitors note slower greetings when staff are busy, but the overwhelming majority call Darrell's the best aquarium store in Lakeland for healthy livestock and honest, enthusiast-level guidance.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Darrell's Aquarium in Lakeland, FL
Darrell's Aquarium stocks corals, reef fish, anemones, cichlids, rare and hard-to-find species, betta fish, koi, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Lakeland, FL. As an aquarium store serving Lakeland, FL, it also carries fish food and aquarium equipment and offers water testing, aquarium consultations and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefAnemonesCichlidsRare SpeciesBettasKoiLive PlantsShrimpInvertebratesFish FoodAquarium Equipment
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Free water testing, including repeat visits while cycling a brand-new tank
- Healthy freshwater, saltwater, and pond livestock you won't find at chain stores
- Koi and pond plants alongside reef corals and anemones like hammer coral and bubble tips
- Call list to track down out-of-stock fish, plus partial store-credit returns
- Family-run and open seven days a week, with a friendly resident shop dog
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Love there fish and plants.”
— Velda Simpson4.03 days ago“Darryls is the best aquarium store in lakeland i go to them for everything they have answered every single one of the thousands of questions I have and have been very nice the entire time I've been going there”
— Ricky Burnsed5.0a week ago“We went there to look for salt water fish. We entered the store and there was one customer at the register. We were never greeted. We walked around the store like we were invisible. We obviously left and won't go back.”
— Linda Roberts1.0a week ago“Very helpful an helped me figure out exactly what I needed for my home aquarium. Had a wide assortment of salt and freshwater fish and all the aquatic plants you need for your aquarium or koi pond”
— Christopher Witherington5.02 weeks ago“I went to get help for my sick fish. He gave me advice on how to treat the fish.”
— Jamey Cordery5.02 weeks ago“Great price great customer service definitely will recommend everybody clean very friendly affordable prices”
— Raj James Abraham5.0a month ago“Everyone was so helpful and very nice! I ended up buying a hammerhead & rainbow bubble tip and most definitely will be back.”
— Laura Ramos5.0a month ago“Over priced and customer service isn't their strong point”
— King Thomas1.02 months ago“Will be looking at this sweet deal for a good looking aquarium.”
— Ann K5.02 months ago“Everytime I come to the store I have an awesome time and leave with new fish !!! Thanks guys as always clean store !!! Nice tanks !!! Nice fish !! Awesome prices !!! 10/10”
— Taurean King5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (863) 937-9000 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Darrell's Aquarium.