About
Midwest Aquatics is a locally owned shop in Arnold, Missouri, serving the greater St. Louis area with a mix of freshwater and saltwater fish, corals, live plants, and aquarium equipment. Owner Caleb has built a reputation for being approachable and knowledgeable — customers note that he's willing to sit down and walk through his supplier lists, showing what fish he can special order beyond what's currently on the floor.
That kind of transparency is something you don't always find at chain pet stores. The store stocks a wide variety of fish at prices that reviewers consistently praise as some of the best in the area. Inventory includes species like assassin snails, red tetras, and other selections that customers say are hard to find elsewhere.
Live plants and decorations round out the offerings, making it a reasonable one-stop shop for tank setups. The equipment and dry goods section gives hobbyists another reason to make the trip rather than ordering online. That said, the store has had growing pains.
Several customers have reported health issues with purchased fish, including ich and epistylis, and some reviewers have pointed to the lack of lighting on display tanks as a contributing factor — parasites and infections can be hard to spot without proper illumination. There have also been communication hiccups, including unexpected closures and inconsistent hours that caught regular customers off guard. The store's online presence has occasionally been misleading regarding operating times, so calling ahead before visiting is a smart move.
Despite these bumps, the core appeal remains: competitive pricing, an owner who genuinely engages with the hobby, and a growing selection that reflects a store still finding its footing. For fish keepers in the Arnold and south St. Louis County area looking for an independent shop with personality and potential, Midwest Aquatics is worth checking out — just verify their hours before you drive over.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Locally owned with hands-on owner Caleb who shares supplier lists and special order options
- Competitive pricing frequently praised as the best in the St. Louis area
- Wide selection of freshwater and saltwater fish, live plants, and aquarium equipment
- Stocks harder-to-find species like assassin snails
- Call ahead recommended as hours may vary from posted schedule
From keepers
Customer reviews
“A newer store in the St. Louis area locally owned and operated I got to talk with Caleb and he was really open and honest also allowed me to see what other fish options he could bring in that maybe weren’t seen this store has lots of potential can’t wait to see how it evolves”
— david ice4.05 days ago“I called them yesterday to see if they had Assassin snails and they did! So I stopped by and they have a wonderful selection of fish, and they were super helpful! Will definitely return! Edit: the store is nice, the prices are great, however, I bought some red tetras, brought them home, and realized they had Ich. I called and told them that all the fish died and they replaced my money and IMMEDIATELY treated my tank. 2 weeks later nothing has helped, a few of my previous fish have died, and the fish don't have Ich, they have EPI..... The aquariums in the store don't have any lights, I didn't see the dots until AFTER I got them under a light. I would definitely start getting lights and such on the tank or something.”
— Cameron West5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Great local shop for fish. The owner knows his stuff and was friendly and accommodating to our questions and needs. We'll definitely be back!”
— CTay23575.0a month ago“Great place best prices in town”
— Trevor C5.02 months ago“They have an amazing selection of fish!!!”
— Tiffani Jones4.02 months ago“Great Place to visit !!!”
— Duy Nguyen5.05 months ago“Very knowledgeable very friendly and a great price you will not find a lot of these fish anywhere else! Great small business go support them! We did and proud of it!”
— Corey Land5.0a year ago“This place is great, so many fish and live plants to choose from. They also sell aquarium equipment and decorations”
— Cori W5.0a year ago“I enjoy this store, but the owner can be pretty crabby and rude at times. And the way they closed was unacceptable. I had been going in every few weeks, and one day I show up and the doors are locked and the phone is disconnected with no explanation or estimated reopening time. They should have communicated better with their customer base. Very disappointing.”
— Cierra Armistead3.04 years ago“This place is temporarily? closed.”
— Mary Hedrick5.04 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (314) 266-8801 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Midwest Aquatics.