Aquatics & Exotics

Walk into Aquatics & Exotics in Cincinnati and the first thing that grabs you is the shark tank in the back of the store — a massive display that draws kids, hobbyists, and curious passersby alike. Shark feedings happen at 2:30 PM on Saturdays, and it's exactly the kind of spectacle that sets this shop apart from anything else in the Cincinnati-NKY area. Alongside the sharks, you'll find a grouper, parrots, turtles, and an impressive roster of exotic aquatic species that you simply won't see at big-box pet stores.

The cichlid selection here earns particular praise from serious collectors, with one reviewer who owns over 40 tanks calling it their go-to location for all hobby needs. But Aquatics & Exotics isn't just about rare and flashy species. They stock live plants and the staff — especially Sky and Dom, two names that come up repeatedly — will actually teach you how to keep them alive.

Sky once corrected a customer's planting technique on a species that had failed from a chain store, explaining that burying the roots would cause rot. That plant is now thriving. The service side of the operation is equally impressive.

Trevor handled a full 55-gallon tank delivery up twisting stairs, transferred fish, performed a water change, and completed the entire setup in under 35 minutes. They offer aquarium cleaning services, consultations, and the kind of disease diagnosis that saves fish lives — Sky identified a bacterial-turned-fungal infection from a short video clip when a customer had been mistreating for ich. What resonates most across nearly 500 reviews is the genuine care for animal welfare.

The store closes every other day, reportedly for water changes and maintenance, and the tanks are consistently described as clean with healthy fish. Staff won't just sell you whatever — they'll redirect you to what actually works for your setup. One customer walked in looking for specific fish and left with something completely different, happier for the guidance.

Albino plecos, saltwater species, freshwater community fish — the selection runs deep, and the prices stay fair.