Jackson Fish and Coral in Ridgeland, Mississippi has earned a fierce loyalty from saltwater hobbyists across the state — and beyond. One customer drove all the way from Gulfport, another from Texas, and both left raving about the quality of livestock and the depth of knowledge behind the counter. This is a dedicated saltwater shop, and that singular focus shows in every detail: healthy, vibrant marine fish with not a nicked fin in sight, stunning coral displays, and a curated selection of premium equipment including Red Sea tanks, skimmers, and rollermats.
The store is the vision of owner Greg (along with team members Tim and Will, and former owner Clyde), and reviews consistently highlight their patience, transparency, and genuine investment in customer success. Multiple first-time saltwater keepers credit the staff with guiding them through their initial setup without being pushy — even helping them save money along the way. One customer purchased six marine fish totaling around $700 and reported all were eating within 24 hours, a testament to the health of the livestock and the store's care standards.
Beyond retail, Jackson Fish and Coral offers tank installation and maintenance services. Greg and his team installed a custom in-wall aquarium for one customer who described it as looking like a piece of art. The store also provides water service for added convenience, and staff are happy to give detailed stock lists and pricing over the phone for those traveling from a distance.
The shop itself draws praise for its clean, organized, and professional atmosphere — one reviewer noted it's the only fish store his wife will actually visit with him. Beautiful display tanks showcase what's possible with their livestock and equipment. While the inventory is exclusively saltwater (freshwater keepers will need to look elsewhere), the focus pays off in quality and depth. For reef enthusiasts and marine fishkeepers anywhere in central Mississippi, Jackson Fish and Coral is the destination.
Just Fish LLC has been a fixture on Mississippi's Gulf Coast for over fifty years, and the Biloxi-area store continues to earn fierce loyalty from aquarists who drive hours — from Mobile, Alabama and beyond — to shop there. Run by father-and-son duo Gerwin and Roger, the store carries a serious selection of both freshwater and saltwater fish, live corals, anemones, shrimp, aquatic plants, driftwood, and hardscape rock. One reviewer described arranging rocks on the shop floor to plan their next aquascape — and the staff encouraged it.
The livestock is consistently praised as healthy, with reef keepers reporting that corals and fish thrive after arriving home. The dry goods side is well-stocked too: tanks, filters, and compatible equipment for specific setups. One customer noted that when they upgraded to an Imagitarium rimmed 75-gallon tank, the crew found a filter that would clear the tight 1-1/8" rim clearance — that kind of hands-on problem-solving defines the experience here.
Free water testing is available, and multiple reviewers emphasize that the staff explains results without pushing unnecessary products. If they don't carry something in stock, they'll order it. Prices are described as competitive with online retailers, and the team is willing to work with customers on bigger purchases.
What truly sets Just Fish apart is the depth of the crew. Reviewers regularly mention eight or more staff members on the floor at any given time — names like Gerwin, Roger, and Kevin come up repeatedly. They're described as genuinely invested in each customer's setup, whether it's a first saltwater tank or a mature reef system. The atmosphere is relaxed and engaging, more hangout than hard sell, and families with kids enjoy browsing the display tanks.
For aquarium hobbyists anywhere along the Mississippi coast, Just Fish LLC is the real deal — a legacy fish store with deep knowledge, honest service, and livestock worth the drive.
Tucked into Tupelo, Mississippi, Gone Fishin Exotic Pets is a locally owned shop that packs a surprising amount of aquatic and exotic animal variety into a modest footprint. It's one of the few stores in the area carrying saltwater fish alongside a robust freshwater selection, making it a genuine destination for aquarists — some customers drive an hour or more just to browse. Tanks are stocked with everything from vibrant guppies and otto catfish to shrimp, bettas, axolotls, live corals, and live plants, with staff happy to talk through compatibility and care for any setup.
The fish department shares floor space with reptiles, birds (including Quaker parrots and budgies), snakes, guinea pigs, ferrets, and small mammals, so the store doubles as a full exotic pet destination. Feeders — crickets and mice — are competitively priced, a draw for reptile keepers who stop in weekly. Supplies range from aquarium equipment and fish food to reptile habitats and dog and cat essentials, and reviewers consistently note that prices undercut the big-box stores.
Staff knowledge is the store's most cited strength. Employees like Bilal are praised for patience and genuine care, taking time to ensure customers have proper housing and understand the needs of the animal they're adopting. Multiple reviewers mention receiving honest, practical guidance rather than a sales pitch — a rarity that keeps people coming back. The team even offers curbside help loading purchases. The shop's locally owned character shows: regulars say they're greeted by name.
Tanks and cages are generally well-maintained and animals appear healthy, though a handful of reviews mention occasional fish losses after purchase and one or two encounters with less-than-friendly service from a particular staff member. On the whole, Gone Fishin has built a loyal following by combining fair pricing, genuine animal welfare, and the kind of personalized expertise that makes the hobby approachable for newcomers and rewarding for seasoned keepers alike.
Pet Palace is a family-owned shop on the Hattiesburg pet scene that punches above its weight in the aquarium department. The store stocks both saltwater and freshwater fish, with reviewers specifically calling out nice saltwater frags and up-to-date reef products alongside freshwater staples. Their aquarium displays have been described as "mystical," and the owners clearly put effort into curating stock that rotates regularly — loyal customers mention making weekend trips just to see what's new.
The husband-and-wife team who own the store are frequently praised for their species-specific knowledge, whether you're asking about axolotl care, betta husbandry, or the nutritional differences between mealworms and dubia roaches. They carry live plants for aquariums (though results have been mixed for some buyers) and maintain a selection of tanks and aquarium equipment that sometimes includes items the big-box competitors don't stock. For pet food, they carry brands like Canidae. The store also offers water testing guidance — their fish exchange policy requires a water sample, which speaks to their emphasis on proper tank parameters even if the 48-hour window has frustrated some customers.
Beyond fish, Pet Palace is a menagerie: birds including cockatiels and parakeets, reptiles like leopard geckos and leopard tortoises, small mammals from ferrets to chinchillas to Mini Lop rabbits, and an impressive feeder insect selection featuring gut-loaded dubia roaches, crickets, and superworms. Several reviewers note the animals are kept in clean enclosures, though a few have raised concerns about specific husbandry choices like substrate selection.
The store's strength is its personal touch — the owners take time to answer questions without rushing customers and will special-order fish and feeders by request, though ordering timelines can occasionally slip. For Hattiesburg aquarists who want saltwater frags, freshwater livestock, and face-to-face advice from people who genuinely know their animals, Pet Palace fills a niche that chain stores simply can't.
Crystal Reef Aquariums in Gulfport, Mississippi is the kind of place that has been woven into the fabric of the local fishkeeping community for decades. Multiple reviewers mention shopping here since childhood — some since the 1990s — and owner Gary has been the constant through it all. His depth of knowledge is repeatedly cited as the store's greatest asset, with one longtime customer calling him "as knowledgeable about the hobby as anyone on the entire Gulf Coast."
The shop leans heavily toward freshwater, with a solid inventory of tropical species alongside more unusual offerings. Reviewers specifically mention aquatic frogs, eels, rope snakes, and what one customer calls "oddball fish needs" — suggesting Gary keeps things interesting beyond the typical community tank staples. Goldfish, feeder fish, and minnows are available for those with larger predatory fish like Oscars. Saltwater stock tends to be more limited, and coral availability appears inconsistent based on customer reports. Live plants and pond supplies round out the livestock side.
The physical space is modest — a compact, old-school fish room that won't win any design awards. Some visitors have noted dim lighting and maintenance issues, and a few have found the saltwater section underwhelming. But for many Gulfport-area hobbyists, none of that matters when weighed against Gary's willingness to special-order fish, test your water, and walk you through problems step by step. He's the kind of owner who will sit with you, diagnose your tank issues, and recommend exactly what you need without upselling.
Pricing opinions are split — some find deals here, while others feel equipment runs high compared to online retailers. The store stocks tanks, accessories, and general dry goods alongside its livestock. For Gulf Coast fishkeepers who value personalized guidance and a genuine relationship with their local fish shop, Crystal Reef Aquariums delivers something no online retailer or big-box pet store can replicate: Gary behind the counter, ready to talk fish.
