About
Walking into Aquarium World in Lafayette, Indiana, you're immediately struck by how much store is packed into this space. Hundreds of species of freshwater and saltwater fish fill rows of sparkling clean tanks — some lush with live plants and natural-looking hardscape, others glowing with corals and marine life. Reviewers consistently call it the best fish store within 100 miles, and the sheer variety backs that up: clownfish, axolotls, shrimp, nano fish, starfish, crabs, frogs, bettas, and a coral selection with prices that hobbyists describe as genuinely affordable.
The staff is one of Aquarium World's strongest assets. When a customer's betta named Bubbles fell ill, the team diagnosed the issue and recommended a treatment plan that worked. An employee named Kirsten earned praise for walking a new hobbyist through the tank cycling process with patience and clear recommendations.
Multiple reviewers note that the staff freely shares honest guidance — whether it's stocking advice, disease troubleshooting, or equipment selection — without the hard sell. The store stocks essentially everything needed to set up and maintain both freshwater and saltwater systems, from filtration and lighting to live plants and dry goods. The live plant selection is extensive, though a couple of long-term customers have reported issues with pest snails hitchhiking on plants, so dipping and quarantining new additions is worth the extra step.
One marine hobbyist also had a difficult experience with sick clownfish and a confusing guarantee policy, so it's worth clarifying return terms at purchase. That said, the overwhelming majority of Lafayette's fishkeeping community considers Aquarium World their go-to. The tanks look healthy, the livestock is well-cared-for, and the atmosphere has a way of making people dream bigger — more than a few visitors have walked in for supplies and walked out wanting a larger tank.
For a mid-sized Indiana city, having a dedicated aquarium shop of this caliber is something the local hobby doesn't take for granted.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Hundreds of freshwater and saltwater species across sparkling clean display tanks
- Affordable coral selection alongside marine invertebrates and clownfish
- Nano fish section and specialty livestock including axolotls and shrimp
- Staff provides hands-on advice for tank cycling, fish health, and stocking
- Full range of supplies for setting up and maintaining fresh and saltwater systems
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great selection, knowledgeable employees”
— Elizabeth Garretson5.0a week ago“Great people good customer service”
— Nathan Stephenson5.0a week ago“Really nice store. It was very busy in there and the sales associates were extremely nice and unfazed by the rush. Most importantly the fish seemed healthy and happy. I bought 3 fish for my reef tank and they were priced very well and healthy. Would absolutely recommend”
— Tony Resendez5.02 weeks ago“They have a good variety of fish and the process is comparable to other fish stores.”
— Ethel Okoh5.02 weeks ago“Friendly, knowledge staff.”
— Chris Timmons5.04 weeks ago“Hidden treasure! Other pet store ran out of crickets for our bearded dragon. Suggested coming here. Glad to find another option! Will explore more another time!”
— Nicole Nelson5.0a month ago“They have hundreds of species of fishes and plants. Great people who are eager to help you with your needs. Overall very clean and quite place having great ambience.”
— Mahavir Singh5.0a month ago“They have a nice selection of fresh fish and even a nano fish selection. Best selection around”
— Mike Mcginnis5.0a month ago“I purchased two clownfish from this shop recently, and unfortunately the experience has been extremely disappointing. Just a few days after bringing them home, one of the clownfish began showing clear signs of illness. After sharing photos and videos with experienced hobbyists, it was confirmed to be Brooklynella, commonly known as “clownfish disease.” Since these were the very first fish added to my brand-new, freshly cycled tank, there’s absolutely no way they contracted the illness from my system — it came directly from the store. When I reached out for help, I was told the store only offers a 24-hour guarantee on fish. This contradicted the written paperwork I was given at purchase, which stated a one-week guarantee. Despite this clear inconsistency, I was essentially told I was “out of luck.” Only after mentioning that I would dispute the purchase — because no one should be expected to pay full price for a sick fish — did they suddenly offer store credit for only half the cost, and in-store credit only. Why would I want to spend more money at a shop that sold me a diseased fish and refused to stand by their own printed guarantee? Overall, this experience shows a lack of responsibility and customer care. I strongly advise anyone considering buying livestock from this store to think twice. I learned the hard way — and I hope others don’t have to.”
— Braxton Foist1.02 months ago“FISH FISH AND AXOLOTL AND SALT WATER FISH!!!! YES SIR!!! ALSO SHRIMP 🦐”
— blue 64 blue 645.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (765) 447-7371 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquarium World.