Fish Happens

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.