The Reef Aquarium Shop

Walking into The Reef Aquarium Shop in Indianapolis, you immediately understand why it has earned a loyal following among Indy's fishkeeping community. Reviewers consistently call it the best-stocked aquarium supply and livestock store in the city, and the sheer volume of tanks lining the walls — saltwater, freshwater, and everything in between — backs that claim up. Coral frags glow under blue LEDs alongside displays of tropical fish, shrimp, and live plants, while terrariums add another dimension to the shop's appeal.

What sets The Reef apart from big-box competitors is its staff. Julie, a name that comes up repeatedly, keeps her tanks spotless and brings genuine enthusiasm to every customer interaction. The broader team shares that energy: reviewers describe employees who will actually talk you out of a purchase if your setup isn't ready for it, then walk you through exactly how to get there.

One customer credits the staff with teaching them everything from planted tank care to axolotl husbandry — the kind of hands-on education that turns casual hobbyists into lifelong aquarists. The livestock selection spans saltwater fish and corals to freshwater species, live plants, and invertebrates. The supply side is equally robust, with a large selection of tanks and aquarium equipment that makes one-stop shopping genuinely possible.

One honest critique worth noting: some reviewers wish the store offered more labeling on plants, fish, and corals — common names, care requirements, and the like — to make the inventory more navigable for newcomers. It's a fair point, though the knowledgeable staff largely fills that gap in person. The Reef Aquarium Shop thrives because it operates like a true community hub for Indianapolis fishkeepers.

The combination of diverse, healthy livestock, comprehensive supplies, and staff who treat education as part of the job makes it the kind of store people drive across town to support. If you're building a reef tank, planting an aquascape, or raising axolotls in central Indiana, this is where the conversation starts.