About
Named for Lake Malawi — the African Rift lake that gives the world some of its most colorful cichlids — Malawi Aquatics has become a destination for freshwater hobbyists across the greater St. Louis area. Walk into this Black-owned fish store in Florissant, MO and you're met by more than 50 tanks lining the walls, packed with the African cichlids and rare freshwater species the shop is known for.
Collectors come specifically for a cichlid selection that regulars call the best in the region — vibrant adult males alongside affordable juveniles with years of color and growth ahead of them. There's far more than cichlids here. Reviewers point to piranhas (often a fraction of chain-store prices), Oscars, blood parrots, puffer fish, GloFish, catfish, and guppies, plus shrimp, feeders, live plants, and aquascape materials.
If you want piranhas and African cichlids for sale in Florissant, MO without driving to a big-box store, this is the room to walk into — and customers repeatedly note the low loss rate, healthy fish that don't bring disease home to an established tank. The people behind the counter are the other draw. Owner Billy and longtime staff like Chris, Reggie, and Josh are the kind of crew who'll diagnose a sick fish, dial in your water levels when corporate stores couldn't, and even come to your home to set up a tank.
One regular keeps coming back just to visit Romeo, a favorite resident fish. Prices run a little above the chains, but reviewers consistently say the quality, honesty, and personal attention are worth it, and many simply love supporting a local, owner-run shop. For freshwater keepers anywhere around Florissant and greater St.
Louis, Malawi Aquatics is the rare independent fish store that still feels like the high-quality hobby shops of decades past.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Malawi Aquatics in Florissant, MO
Malawi Aquatics stocks cichlids, African cichlids, rare and hard-to-find species, pufferfish, catfish, livebearers, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Florissant, MO. As a fish store serving Florissant, MO, it also carries aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium setup, aquarium consultations and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- CichlidsAfrican CichlidsRare SpeciesPuffersCatfishLivebearersLive PlantsInvertebratesShrimpAquarium EquipmentFish Food
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- African cichlid selection that regulars call the best in the St. Louis area, displayed across 50+ tanks
- Wide freshwater range — piranhas, Oscars, blood parrots, puffers, GloFish, catfish, and guppies, plus shrimp, feeders, and live plants
- Black-owned, owner-run shop (Billy, with longtime staff Chris, Reggie, and Josh) known for hands-on, honest advice
- In-home tank setup and water-level troubleshooting when chain stores couldn't help
- Low loss rate and healthy fish, often at better prices than the big-box chains
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I love Malawi! I'm terrible with names but the two gentlemen that are there most often are very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. When I had trouble setting up my tank, corporate stores did not know what to tell me. At Malawai they told me exactly what to do and they got my levels right again. They have a very wide selection of fish and equipment. They often have sales and markdowns as well. I love to go just to see all of the unique fish, especially Romeo.”
— Mars5.06 days ago“Always friendly & helpful! Large variety of healthy fish!”
— Johannah Thomas5.0a month ago“Billy is a great business man can't say the same bout the other owner but Billy keeps trying to do his best 2 keep thse doors open .Great attitude and very professional mr.greene”
— Rodney Greene.5.0a month ago“This is my favorite fish store that I’ve been to. Huge selection and very friendly staff. Prices are good as well.”
— Jackson Stafford5.02 months ago“Great spot, good collection of freshwater species. Cool and helpful folks running it. Very low loss rate when I've bought fish and shrimp here. A fair micro/nano selection of guppies, danios, cories, shrimp, and a few others, but their focus is not micro/nano. Edit: I initially noted that this store had saltwater species, but the owner replied and clarified they don't carry saltwater fish. That shows how much I know about salt! Makes the fresh selection even better for those of you into the larger freshwater species.”
— Quinn Whitten5.0Edited 2 months ago“My favorite fish place”
— Ed current5.02 months ago“Don't sleep on this place. The selection of fish is crazy. For the first time I saw real life piranha. From glo fish to catfish barbs to blood parrot fish. What was only Supposed to be quick stop turned into 20 minutes fish gazing with my son who didn't even wanna come at first. The price of the fish was a lot cheaper than pet smart which from my house I've passed up for years... This will be a must return shop”
— Jeremiah5.03 months ago“Staff is very knowledgeable and eager to assist you. Their prices are lower than Petsmart and other local pet stores. I will return for my aquarium needs.”
— MsLadyT STL5.03 months ago“This place is amazing. I have never seen a wider variety of cichlids anywhere. Plus they have piranha for $20 that I paid $50 for at other pet shops. Feeders galore. I would travel to visit this place.”
— Robert Jackson5.03 weeks ago“These guys are awesome! They came to my house to setup everything.”
— Yolanda Carrington5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call +1 314-830-6460 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Malawi Aquatics.