About
Tucked into a compact storefront in Edwardsville, Illinois, Aqua-Nook is a family-run shop that earns its name — the store really does sit in a nook, and owners Mike and Tammy use every square inch of it. Alongside staff like Jake, Mark, and Jacob, they've built the kind of local fish store that hobbyists happily drive 40-plus minutes to reach, then keep coming back to. Recent visitors still call it "the best in the Metro East," praising knowledgeable, never-pushy advice and tanks kept genuinely clean.
" Shoppers searching for freshwater fish near me consistently note the variety and the fair prices. Because Aqua-Nook also keeps saltwater livestock and a surprisingly deep coral inventory, it doubles as a genuine aquarium store: one customer had the shop track down both a Triggerfish and a Radiata Lionfish in the same week. They stock Aquarium Co-op gear, curate only high-quality fish foods, and keep medications on hand so you can treat a struggling tank without a big-box guessing game.
What sets the place apart is care that outlasts the sale. When one customer's fish started dying, staff diagnosed the problem remotely — insufficient oxygen exchange — and helped save the rest of the tank. Mike services saltwater setups on a biweekly basis, and the team has walked hobbyists through the jump from freshwater to saltwater and untangled plenty of new-tank headaches.
One reviewer recalls staff staying past closing to handle a cichlid emergency. For aquarists around Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, Aqua-Nook is the obvious local pick — small in footprint, deep in knowledge, and run by people who clearly love the hobby as much as their customers do.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Aqua-Nook in Edwardsville, IL
Aqua-Nook stocks corals, reef fish, cichlids, invertebrates, tetras, catfish, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Edwardsville, IL. As an aquarium store serving Edwardsville, IL, it also carries fish food, aquarium equipment and fish medications and offers tank maintenance, aquarium consultations and tank cleaning.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run Edwardsville shop with hobbyist owners Mike and Tammy, plus staff who keep customers driving back from 40-plus minutes away
- Deep coral and saltwater selection, including specialty marine fish like Triggerfish and Radiata Lionfish
- Strong freshwater range — tetras, pygmy corydoras, cichlids, assassin snails, and a 'plethora' of live plants
- Carries Aquarium Co-op gear, curated high-quality foods, and aquarium medications
- Biweekly saltwater tank maintenance with Mike, plus hands-on troubleshooting that has saved customers' tanks
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Walked in and was immediately greeted by the owner. Told him what was going on with my tank and he immediately pointed me in right direction of all the medication and everything else I needed. Would recommend this store to anyone and everyone who needs anything aquarium related salt or fresh water”
— Jacob Sanders5.0a week ago“Absolutely love this store! They have been so helpful and knowledgeable. I think we love our tank more than the grands. 🥰”
— nurse mae mae5.0a week ago“Cool little fish shop lots of interesting fish the person working was very friendly and helpful. Will be back.”
— Jimmy Watkins5.0a month ago“Very knowledgeable, friendly, not pushy. Fair price, good variety of plants.”
— Madison Fleming5.0a month ago“I just wish the store was bigger with more fish but overall great place highly recommend”
— Jenrry Pineda5.0a month ago“Best fish/aquarium store around. Lots a high quality products, very knowledgeable staff, and a diverse selection of freshwater fish, saltwater fish and coral. Not your average big box pet store.”
— Ethan La Rue5.0a month ago“Can't say enough about how great this shop is. The aquarium industry is full of cheap products, bad advice, and unhealthy fish/plants. Aqua Nook is the opposite.. easily the best in the Metro East! I went in to grab plants for a new tank and their staff was super helpful. Highly recommend stopping in for high quality products or for anyone new to the hobby. You'll save time and money avoiding big box stores down the street! (Don't mind the cloudy water.. new tank!)”
— Jeremy Faller5.02 months ago“Extremely helpful and happy to answer questions.”
— Andrew Claxton5.03 months ago“The store owners are super helpful with new fish owners and go beyond and above! Shop here! You will have an excellent and professional experience!”
— Trent5.03 months ago“Extremely helpful. More salt water fish than I expected.”
— Gysgt Randy Walker USMC5.0a week ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call +1 618-307-5517 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aqua-Nook.