Pet Life By Roberts

Tucked into Salina, Kansas, Pet Life By Roberts is the kind of family-owned pet shop that makes you want to linger. The store may be compact, but the aquarium section punches well above its weight — planted tanks line the walls, healthy and diverse, with live aquatic plants that draw freshwater hobbyists from around the region. Owner and staff clearly pour care into every display, and customers consistently note how clean and well-maintained the setups are.

The freshwater fish selection leans toward community tank staples done right. Reviewers have picked up corydoras, guppies, hillstream loaches, and bristlenose plecos here, and the store stocks feeder fish as well. Live plants are a particular draw, with multiple customers singling them out alongside the fish as reasons to visit.

If you're building a planted tank in central Kansas, this is the place to start that conversation. What sets Pet Life apart from the big-box alternatives is the hands-on guidance. Staff have walked first-time fishkeepers through complete 40-gallon tank setups, from equipment selection to stocking plans, with ongoing support along the way.

That level of personal consultation is rare and clearly valued — customers drive in from out of town specifically for the expertise and specialty items they can't find at chain stores. Beyond aquatics, the shop carries birds (including English parakeets), small mammals like hamsters, and feeder rodents for reptile owners. Dog and cat supplies round out the inventory, and the cages throughout the store are noted for being clean and well-kept.

The real magic here is the atmosphere. The owner's passion is obvious, and the staff treat every question like it matters. For freshwater enthusiasts in Salina looking for quality livestock, healthy plants, and advice rooted in genuine experience, Pet Life By Roberts has earned its loyal following one planted tank at a time.