DNA Aquatics in Elkhart, Indiana, has quickly become the go-to saltwater destination for reefers across the region—and the enthusiasm in every customer review makes it clear why. Owner Austin (and staff member Brandon, who previously ran the shop) have built something more than a fish store; they've created a genuine community hub where hobbyists gather on Friday evenings, swap stories about their reef builds, and leave with healthy livestock at prices that multiple reviewers describe as almost too good to be true.
The coral selection is the star of the show. Customers rave about the range of high-end Euphyllia, Zoanthids, and Acans available as both frags and colonies. Tanks are consistently described as immaculately clean, and the livestock arrives home healthy and thriving. Beyond corals, the store stocks saltwater fish, invertebrates, and a solid assortment of frozen, dry, and Reef Nutrition brand foods. They also sell pre-mixed RO saltwater—a practical touch that newer hobbyists especially appreciate.
What sets DNA Aquatics apart is the consultative approach. Austin doesn't oversell. When one customer had trouble cycling a tank, he walked them through the fix and supplied exactly what was needed—nothing more. Multiple reviewers note that he'll happily order specific pieces on request, and the care taken in packaging delicate corals for transport exceeds expectations. The shop also carries quality equipment and accessories for marine aquarium setups, and offers servicing for those who need maintenance help.
The store attracts a loyal crowd of regulars who treat the space like a second home, and first-time visitors consistently report feeling welcomed rather than pressured. The extended Friday evening hours (6–8 PM) are a particularly smart touch, drawing packed crowds of hobbyists after work. For anyone building or maintaining a reef aquarium in northern Indiana, DNA Aquatics delivers honest advice, exceptional coral variety, and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
T&T Pet Food & Supply is a Bloomington institution — a family-owned pet store that has been serving the community for over 50 years. While primarily known as a destination for premium dog and cat food, this is the kind of neighborhood shop where the staff walks you through the aisles, helps you compare brands, and carries your bags to the car.
The store's real strength lies in its massive selection of high-quality pet foods. Reviewers consistently praise the range of healthy, filler-free options, including harder-to-find brands like Earthborn Holistic and Fussie Cat. One customer noted they switched their cats to Fussie Cat guinea fowl & turkey on staff recommendation and saw immediate improvement. Another appreciated that T&T tracks when shipments arrive, so customers can see how long food has been on the shelf — a transparency you won't find at big box retailers.
The team — including Leslie, Terry, and owner David — clearly knows their products. Leslie once left the register to personally walk a customer through the store, helping him find soft floor coverings and joint support products for his 15-year-old arthritic tabby. Multiple reviewers mention staff who can speak knowledgeably about ingredients, allergies, and dietary sensitivities, earning the kind of trust that keeps people coming back for decades. One loyal customer has shopped here for over 20 years.
Beyond food, T&T stocks treats, toys, locally-made carpeted cat trees, and even animal-themed puzzles. The store hosts adoption cats and kittens in partnership with local rescue organizations, and there's a resident mascot cat who, in true feline fashion, couldn't care less about your visit. David and the team also give back through events like the Stuff a Truck donation drive benefiting the Monroe County Humane Association.
T&T runs a rewards program that tracks purchases for discounts, and prices are competitive for the quality offered. This is Bloomington shopping at its best — personal, purposeful, and deeply rooted in community.
Modern Aquatix in Indianapolis has quickly earned a fierce following among saltwater hobbyists, and it's easy to understand why. Owner Jeremy has built a reputation not just for stocking healthy, vibrant livestock, but for sourcing fish that most local shops simply can't get. Multiple reviewers mention his ability to track down rare saltwater species — one customer noted that Jeremy personally located a fish they'd been searching for across multiple stores for months. That kind of dedication sets Modern Aquatix apart from the typical pet store experience.
New shipments arrive on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and regulars know to time their visits accordingly. The coral selection draws particular praise, with customers reporting bigger frags, better health, and prices that undercut even major online retailers. For Indianapolis reef keepers tired of gambling on shipped corals, having a local source this consistent is a genuine advantage.
The store itself reflects its name — clean, modern, and meticulously maintained. Reviewers frequently comment on the clarity of the display aquariums, which speaks to the level of care the livestock receives before it ever leaves the building. Jeremy and staff member James bring deep saltwater knowledge to every interaction, guiding customers through coral selection, fish compatibility, and long-term tank health.
What comes through most clearly in the reviews is trust. Multiple customers describe Modern Aquatix as the only place they'll go for their saltwater needs, and several have visited shops across the country for comparison. The consensus is consistent: the combination of livestock quality, coral pricing, and genuine expertise makes this Indianapolis shop hard to beat. If you're building or maintaining a reef tank in central Indiana, Modern Aquatix deserves a spot on your regular rotation.
Metazotics in Chandler, Indiana isn't a fish store — it's a dedicated reptile and amphibian shop, and one of the most highly regarded in the tri-state area. Owned by Clint and staffed by a team that clearly lives and breathes herpetoculture, Metazotics has earned a near-perfect 4.9-star rating across more than 150 reviews, and the enthusiasm from customers is palpable.
The store stocks an impressive range of reptiles — ball pythons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, California king snakes, and white's tree frogs among them — alongside a robust selection of invertebrates like tarantulas and isopods for bioactive setups. The feeder selection is a standout: jumbo rats that have drawn visitors from as far as San Diego, plus mice, crickets, feeder worms, and even pre-mixed salads for omnivorous reptiles. One reviewer noted that the feeder worms here are actually alive and healthy, a contrast to competitors selling dead stock.
Beyond live animals, the shelves are stocked with substrates, wood, décor, habitats, heating units, and accessories — enough to fully outfit a setup from scratch. Multiple reviewers describe it as a true one-stop shop for reptile keepers in the southern Indiana region.
What sets Metazotics apart is the staff's genuine investment in animal welfare and customer education. Families with young kids leave having learned something new. First-time reptile owners, like one reviewer who rescued a bearded dragon on short notice, describe patient, detailed guidance on husbandry. The team even accommodated a customer's request to size-match a tree frog for safe cohabitation — a small but telling detail about how seriously they take their work.
Metazotics also ships animals, with reviewers praising fast delivery and healthy arrivals. They maintain a presence at local reptile expos and operate multiple locations, with expansion into Henderson on the horizon. A community food box outside the store adds a neighborly touch that speaks to the shop's character. For reptile and amphibian enthusiasts in the Chandler area, this is the destination.
Tucked behind warehouses off Goshen Road in Fort Wayne, Summit City Coral is the kind of place you have to know about to find — and once you do, you'll keep coming back. This family-owned shop has built a fiercely loyal following over the past five-plus years by doing one thing exceptionally well: saltwater. The coral selection is staggering for a store this size. Racks of frags and colonies span every price range, from beginner-friendly softies to show-stopping pieces that draw hobbyists from over an hour away.
Beyond corals, the livestock tanks are stocked with healthy saltwater fish — customers have walked out happy with Purple Dottybacks, Red Firefish, and clownfish that quickly take to anemones purchased from the same shop. Invertebrates round out the marine selection, and the dry goods section covers equipment, base rock, substrate, and foods. They also carry used equipment, which is a smart touch for hobbyists building out new systems without breaking the bank.
Owner Matt and staff members Dylan, Jessica, and Alex are the real engine here. Reviews consistently praise their willingness to spend serious time with customers — Matt has been known to stay past closing to talk lighting and tank setup. More importantly, the team earns trust by steering people away from bad purchases rather than chasing a sale. One reviewer noted staff talked them out of fish that wouldn't work in their setup, and multiple newcomers credit the shop with helping them avoid costly mistakes when selecting corals for their specific systems.
Summit City Coral also runs an online store with shipping options, and they'll take special orders if something isn't currently in stock. They even accept coral trade-ins with advance notice. For anyone running a reef tank in northeast Indiana — or willing to make the drive — this is the saltwater destination. The 75-gallon reef builder stocking up on base rock, the seasoned reefer hunting rare frags, and the curious hobbyist just wanting to geek out over marine life all find what they need here.
SaltwaterFreshwaterCoralsReefInvertebratesConsultationOnline Store
Seedy Sally's in Pendleton, Indiana isn't a fish store — it's something arguably rarer: a genuinely beloved neighborhood pet supply shop with an owner who treats every customer like family. Tucked behind the businesses fronting Route 67 on the Huntsville side of town, this unassuming storefront is run by Scott Anderson, a soft-spoken, deeply knowledgeable proprietor whose old-school customer service has earned an almost perfect rating from a fiercely loyal customer base.
The store's roots are in bird and wild bird supplies — the name "Seedy Sally's" is a nod to its strength in seed and feed. Scott is widely regarded as a bird expert, stocking a wide array of birdseed varieties, hummingbird feeders (American-made, with warranties), and large bags of peanuts that customers say they can't find anywhere else. But the shop has grown well beyond its avian origins into a full-service pet supply destination carrying premium, whole-ingredient dog and cat foods — the kind of specialty and breeder-recommended brands that vanish from big box shelves. Multiple reviewers describe Scott tracking down hard-to-find foods, contacting manufacturers on a customer's behalf, and even making shelf space for a particular large-bag size so a customer could save money buying in bulk.
The atmosphere is personal and warm. Scott remembers names — yours and your pets'. He carries purchases to your car. He'll spend weeks helping you troubleshoot a picky eater. The shop also serves as a foster care and adoption location for animals, and has donated generously to local charities like Ernie's Heart.
One practical note: Seedy Sally's is cash or check only — no credit cards accepted. It's a small trade-off for the kind of attentive, individualized service that most people assumed disappeared decades ago. If you're in the Pendleton area and care about what you feed your pets and the birds in your backyard, Scott Anderson's little shop is absolutely worth seeking out.
River Bed Builders out of Georgetown, Indiana isn't your typical fish store — it's a specialized pond design and installation company that has earned a near-perfect 4.9 rating across dozens of reviews. Led by Andrew, an Aquascape-certified builder, the team designs and constructs koi ponds, pondless waterfalls, multi-level water features, recreational ponds with natural filtration, and even specialty builds like turtle ponds. Their service area extends well beyond Georgetown, with the crew sometimes staying in Airbnbs to complete projects for clients hours away.
What stands out in review after review is Andrew's artistic eye for naturalistic stone placement and his attention to the fine details — the way rocks are arranged, how waterfalls cascade across multiple levels, and how the finished product blends seamlessly into existing landscapes. One customer described a rec pond with natural stone filtration built with impressive speed and craftsmanship. Another raved about a waterscape that looked completely natural in a small backyard. A couple who waited nearly 35 years for their dream water feature said the finished product exceeded what they had imagined.
Beyond installation, River Bed Builders offers ongoing pond maintenance services. One longtime pond owner called their cleaning service the best they'd experienced in 20 years and immediately signed up for monthly maintenance. Others who inherited ponds with home purchases found Andrew's team invaluable for education and upkeep. The company handles seasonal tasks like installing protective netting over ponds and streams, troubleshooting filtration issues, and keeping existing water features running properly.
Andrew also serves as a resource for pond plants and fish, helping customers stock and landscape their new features. Projects consistently come in on time and at or under the quoted price. For anyone in southern Indiana or the surrounding region looking to add a koi pond, waterfall, or water feature to their property, River Bed Builders delivers the kind of craftsmanship and professionalism that turns backyard dreams into reality.
Fish Happens on Indianapolis's south side has earned a devoted following — the kind of store people willingly drive two hours to visit. Owner Tyler and his team, including staff members like Isaiah and Keegan, have built something special: a freshwater-focused shop packed with healthy fish, an extraordinary variety of aquatic plants, and a rotating cast of specialty livestock that keeps regulars coming back every few months just to see what's new.
The freshwater selection runs deep. Cichlids, including Africans, are a clear strength, and the store stocks everything from celestial pearl danios and sparkling gouramis to clown killifish, oscars, glo angelfish, and red plecos. Invertebrate keepers will find mystery snails in impressive color and size variety, plus shrimp and — when available — axolotls. The live plant section is a standout, with large-quantity moss bundles that are hard to source even online, alongside enough variety to overwhelm newcomers in the best possible way. The store also carries houseplants and live pond plants, plus driftwood and accessories at prices reviewers consistently call reasonable.
What sets Fish Happens apart is the staff's genuine investment in each customer's success. Tyler knows the inventory by heart and will walk you through tank cycling, stocking compatibility, and proper care without rushing. Keegan has been praised for patiently helping customers work through wishlists, matching fish by temperament, activity level, and size. Isaiah earns repeat mentions for his plant expertise. They'll test your water on the spot and offer honest, budget-conscious advice — steering you toward less expensive alternatives when pricier options are out of stock.
The store also accepts fish rehomes with decent in-store credit, and some livestock is bred on-site, reinforcing the quality-first ethos. The space itself is clean, well-organized, and constantly evolving — staff are always tinkering with improvements. For freshwater fishkeepers in Indianapolis, Fish Happens is the destination that makes the hobby feel personal again.
Paws and Claws & Company in Warsaw, Indiana is one of those locally owned pet stores that earns its loyalty the old-fashioned way — through genuine care, quality products, and a staff that will literally carry your bags to the car. Owner Melissa has built a reputation for curating higher-quality pet foods, treats, and accessories than what you'd typically find at big box competitors, and her customers notice the difference.
While Paws and Claws is primarily a pet supply store rather than a dedicated aquarium shop, they do maintain a freshwater fish section that draws families and hobbyists alike. Multiple reviewers mention that children love coming in to look at the fish, and while the selection may be smaller than a specialty fish store, the quality is consistently praised. They're also a reliable source for live crickets — a detail reptile keepers in the Warsaw area will appreciate.
The store's real strength is its product curation. Freeze-dried treats get specific shout-outs from owners of picky dogs, and the emphasis on premium pet food brands sets them apart from chain retailers. Melissa is described as someone who would willingly accept a lower margin to ensure she's stocking products that are genuinely healthier for animals — a philosophy that resonates deeply with her customer base.
The atmosphere inside is clean and welcoming, with dogs allowed to accompany their owners while shopping. Walk-in nail clipping is a popular service, with several reviewers specifically praising how well the staff handles their pets during trims. One customer with mobility challenges described how employees not only helped locate items throughout the store but carried everything to checkout and then out to the car.
With 384 reviews and a 4.8 rating, Paws and Claws has clearly become Warsaw's go-to independent pet store. It's the kind of place where the staff remembers your pet's name and your pet gets excited pulling into the parking lot.
Clear Creek Fisheries in Martinsville, Indiana isn't your typical fish store — it's a multi-generational family fishery that has been raising and selling pond and lake fish since the mid-20th century, with some customers tracing their relationship back to the 1970s. Tucked away on what feels like rural Indiana farmland, this is the go-to operation for anyone looking to stock a pond, farm lake, or private waterway with healthy, locally raised freshwater fish.
The inventory reads like a pond owner's wish list: channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish, grass carp, flathead catfish, fathead minnows, and koi. Orders can scale from a handful of koi for a backyard water feature to 200 largemouth bass for a full lake restocking. One customer picked up 150 channel cats and lost only eight — an impressive survival rate that speaks to the health of the fish leaving the facility. Another bought bluegill, bass, and catfish to rehabilitate a neglected pond, and within a year had clear water and thriving populations.
Eric, a staff member frequently mentioned by name, stands out for his willingness to answer questions, walk first-time pond owners through stocking plans, and provide honest recommendations on species ratios and pond management. The fishery offers same-day delivery for local orders, and customers consistently praise the call-ahead pickup process — phone in your order, show up, and your fish are bagged, oxygenated, and ready to go.
The atmosphere is distinctly country. Don't expect a polished retail showroom; expect a working fishery where the knowledge runs deep and the people are genuine. One reviewer fondly recalled hauling fish home in a cattle water tank with a jury-rigged aerator decades ago. That hands-on, practical spirit still defines the place. For pond owners across central Indiana, Clear Creek Fisheries is an institution — the kind of family business that earns loyalty measured not in visits but in decades.
