About
Moby Dick Pet Store has been a fixture in Waterford Township, Michigan for decades — some customers have been walking through its doors for over 20 years. Packed into a modest building that belies its enormous inventory, this family-owned shop has earned a loyal following across metro Detroit for its deep selection of both freshwater and saltwater fish, along with reptiles, amphibians, and feeder animals. The fish room is the main attraction, and it's genuinely dense with life.
Reviewers consistently call out the variety of oddball species, cichlids, rainbowfish, livebearers, tetras, corydoras, and hard-to-find breeder stock. The saltwater side is equally compelling, with corals, anemones, and a full range of reef supplies drawing hobbyists from 30 minutes or more away. One standout detail: Moby Dick sells pre-cycled aquariums, already seeded with beneficial bacteria and balanced pH, ready for immediate stocking — a service rarely seen at independent fish stores.
The live plant selection gets particular praise for both quality and reasonable pricing, and the shop is one of the few in the metro Detroit area that stocks live blackworms, a prized food for serious fishkeepers. They also carry isopods, shrimp, snails, and a rotating cast of invertebrates that keeps hobbyists coming back to see what's new. The aisles are admittedly tight — the store crams an impressive amount of dry goods, aquarium equipment, and themed display tanks into a compact space.
But most visitors see that as a worthwhile tradeoff for the sheer volume of stock. Staff members, including a frequently mentioned employee named Dan, are consistently praised for their attentiveness and genuine fishkeeping knowledge. The owner is often on the floor, adding to the hands-on, community-driven feel.
For anyone in southeast Michigan who lost their go-to shop when Kee's Aquarium closed, Moby Dick has stepped up as the natural successor — same passion, same depth, same dedication to keeping fish healthy and hobbyists informed.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- CoralsAnemonesCichlidsLivebearersTetrasCatfishLive PlantsShrimpInvertebratesRare SpeciesDry GoodsAquarium EquipmentFish Food
- Services
- ConsultationTank Setup
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Pre-cycled aquariums ready for immediate fish stocking
- One of the few metro Detroit shops carrying live blackworms
- Extensive freshwater oddball and breeder stock selection
- Full saltwater section with corals and anemones
- Owner-operated family business serving Waterford Township for decades
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I love this pet shop"reptile and fish. This is not your petco .Walmart fish store. This is for passionate fish and reptile people. Fish are happy and healthy and the staff know more than ordinary hobbiest so you actually learn something.”
— Lien Odartsop5.04 days ago“Great store and really nice employees and a good selection of fish. Very good prices.”
— Expert “Always” opinion5.0Edited 5 days ago“The gentleman that helped me today was so nice, attentive, and super knowledgeable. He showed me many different fish that would fit in with my other fish. He needs a pat on the back. I hope you can figure out who he is, I neglected to ask him his name🙄👏👏👏”
— William Maxheimer5.0a week ago“Great store with a knowledgeable, helpful staff.”
— C B5.0a week ago“Great selection and friendly attentive staff.”
— Matt Hindelang5.0a month ago“Absolutely fantastic saltwater and freshwater fish store this place rocks been going there for 15-20 years”
— Keith Myers5.0a month ago“Kids love the animals and very helpful staff”
— jon tilley5.0a month ago“I recently went to the store for the first time and had a very good experience. I used to be a regular at Kee’s Aquarium but since they’ve closed I’ve been on the hunt for a new fish store. I decided to give Moby Dick’s a try and wasn’t disappointed. They had a wide variety of live fish and supplies. They had tons of oddball fish at a good price. Their plant selection was also amazing and very reasonably priced. The only caveat to the otherwise great store is that it’s a bit cramped. There wasn’t an enormous amount of customers but the aisles were stilly tight. It was a bit difficult get through the store, especially the fish room. Although this was inconvenient I think it’s a reasonable trade off for having such a large selection of fish. The themed tanks were so well thought out and were a fun addition to the experience. If you’re looking for a store because of the closing of Kee’s this is a great option for a similar experience.”
— Roan4.0a month ago“Sick”
— Michael Palmer5.0a month ago“I thought they sold whales 🤷🏻♂️”
— Roland le Petour5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (248) 673-2520 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Moby Dick Pet Store Inc.