Marine Extremes

Marine Extremes sits in Wichita as the city's go-to destination for saltwater enthusiasts, though freshwater hobbyists will find plenty to explore as well. Owner Vince and his small team have built a reputation around quality coral frags and a rotating stock of marine fish that keeps regulars coming back. Reviewers rave about gorgeous zoanthid frags that open up and thrive at home, mushroom corals at reasonable prices, and tanks brimming with bubble tip anemones.

The saltwater selection is extensive — healthy, colorful specimens kept in clean, well-maintained display tanks that show the staff takes husbandry seriously. What sets Marine Extremes apart from other Wichita fish stores is Vince's approach to freshwater stock. Rather than filling tanks with the same common species every pet store carries, he leans toward the exotic side — unusual and harder-to-find freshwater fish that give collectors a reason to drive across town.

You can still pick up danios and snails for a small community tank, but the real draw is the curated oddball selection. When a customer mentioned needing treatment for an Oscar's hole-in-the-head condition, the staff had both the product and the knowledge to help. The store operates with a small-shop feel.

Staff will take your number and call when specific fish come in, a level of personal service that big-box stores can't match. One of the recurring compliments centers on the female staff member's ability to share knowledge without being pushy — she lets customers browse at their own pace while staying available for questions. Vince himself is described as family-oriented, treating repeat customers like longtime friends.

A few caveats: the store has occasionally closed earlier than posted hours, and some visitors have felt the selection was thin on certain days. But for Wichita's saltwater community, Marine Extremes remains the first stop for healthy corals, vibrant marine fish, and honest advice on keeping a thriving tank.