About
Reptile Emporium & Aquatic Center has anchored Highland, Indiana for more than 30 years, and while the storefront leans hard into reptiles, the aquatic department has built its own quietly loyal following among Northwest Indiana fishkeepers. Owner Brian and his wife run the place, and the praise that surfaces again and again is about knowledge: walk in asking about African cichlids and you may leave with six healthy fish plus a real crash course in their care. " If you're hunting African cichlids for sale in Highland, IN, this is one of the few independent spots around that keeps them stocked alongside community staples.
The freshwater selection runs to bettas, panda corydoras, and the cichlid tanks that bring hobbyists back; longtime regulars mention coming in first for bettas and later for the corydoras, year after year. Multiple reviewers note the fish look healthy — no dead or sick stock in the tanks — and that pricing beats the big-box chains. Considered purely as a fish store, the aquatic side here consistently earns the warmer reviews, and it's a solid stop for anyone searching freshwater fish near me around Highland.
It's worth being honest, because the store inspires sharply divided opinions. " Others raise pointed concerns about reptile enclosure conditions, cleanliness, and the smell, and those critiques deserve to be weighed. On the aquatics front specifically, the feedback skews positive: well-kept tanks, healthy freshwater fish, and old-school personalized guidance.
For Highland-area fishkeepers after healthy cichlids, bettas, and corydoras with hands-on advice, the fish department delivers — just know you're walking into a reptile shop first, with a worthy aquatic section alongside it.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Reptile Emporium & Aquatic Center in Highland, IN
Reptile Emporium & Aquatic Center stocks African cichlids, cichlids, betta fish, catfish and freshwater fish for sale in Highland, IN. As a fish store serving Highland, IN, it also offers aquarium consultations and fish boarding.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- ConsultationFish Boarding
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Healthy African cichlids for sale alongside bettas and panda corydoras
- Over 30 years serving Highland and Northwest Indiana fishkeepers
- Owner Brian and staff praised as knowledgeable and helpful with fish care
- Freshwater stock reported healthy, with pricing below big-box chains
- In-store consultation plus animal boarding and rescue intake
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Staff is very knowledgable and helpful!”
— Rachel Hock5.0a day ago“I was amazed by how affectionate the animals were towards the owners! The African Spurred tortoises in particular sought out pets and were incredibly sweet. The owners answered many of our questions and were well educated on the animals they cared for.”
— Kaylee' Phillips5.0Edited a week ago“Great experience as always. Good folks!”
— Ronald Lumpkins Jr5.0Edited a week ago“The guy working there was very rude. I don’t know if he was the owner, but he seemed like it. He had a complete attitude from the moment we walked into the store and as we were asking questions and trying to purchase a turtle, he was talking to us like we were dumb and the lady that was working there just stood there and then at the end she tried to turn it around by being nice, but by that time it was too late he upped the prices for what we were trying to purchase and I would not recommend anyone going into this shop to purchase anything . And to be honest, if he were nicer, he could’ve made a nice amount of money because we would’ve needed the tank and accessories and everything else needed to safely care for this turtle so it’s his loss.”
— Tina Lee1.04 weeks ago“Cool little shop!”
— archery1565.04 weeks ago“Stinks really bad,surprised the restraint next door hasn’t had them shut down as of yet…owner is pretty rude and acts like he knows everything and you know nothing….a lot of that attitude has rubbed off on the lady but she’s not so bad once you go in there a few times. People need to understand if this is a reptile shop and you’re going to see snake sheds in the cages and you’re going to see leafy greens laying in there that animals haven’t eaten I mean you gotta get over that kind of idea So I wouldn’t worry too much about the cleanliness. They are extremely expensive on their prices though they want like $200 for a ball python when you could go to PetSmart and buy one for 49 bucks most of the time 99 bucks at the most I remember when you could buy a ball python for $29. But they do have things there that you’re not gonna see anywhere else like a green anaconda or a black Cayman where else are you gonna find that?”
— crambone t2.0a month ago“Came in for a graduation gift for my daughter, very cool and awesome animals in store. However, the gentleman behind the counter. Very unwelcoming. My kids and I were looking and talking about the animals and the man’s eyes were just piercing at us. Very unfriendly, unwelcoming, uncomfortable to shop look or ask questions. Not only that but to follow us from aisle to aisle to watch us look at animals. Woman there was friendly, but that man, he needs to stay home if customers coming in are going to be a bother for him. I’ll never come back here again & telling people about this awful experience.”
— Laura Rivas1.0a month ago“There was a bearded dragon missing all its teeth 4 fully grown tortoises in a way to small kiddie pool, the reticulated python was in a way to small of an enclosure for its size aquariums water is green reptiles seem to get rabbit substrate alligator is given no land platform and is in way to small of an enclosure to be kept right if the owner can watch me like a hawk she can watch her animals like a hawk but chooses not to take the proper care”
— Sean Deenik1.0a month ago“I'm giving my business advice does solely for the fact that I like the idea. Giving the public access to exotic pets is great but the store itself is questionable. The tanks are small. The store is small. It does not seem like a very good atmosphere for some of those pets. The store needs to be at least twice the size. I didn't buy anything. When I went in that day I was there for mealworms and they didn't have any but I would go back to buy something if I was interested. But I'm just worried about the pets and if they're being taken good care of I will go back again just to see”
— michael stull5.0a month ago“Great store!! All that need to be said 🫡”
— Jessie Whirley5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (219) 838-8149 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Reptile Emporium & Aquatic Center.