About
Live Art Aquatics has become one of the most talked-about aquarium stores in Independence, MO, and a single walk through the door explains why: wall after wall of tanks packed with freshwater and saltwater life you usually only see online. Owners Brandon and Katherine — Katie to the regulars — run the floor themselves, and the shop has recently moved into new ownership under the two of them. Longtime customers say the knowledge and care that made the place special have carried right over.
Renovations are currently underway, so a few tanks are still being brought back online, but most are up and running and reviewers report the livestock selection is bigger than ever. This is a store built for hobbyists who want the unusual. Shoppers have come home with freshwater stingrays, lionfish, cherry shrimp, and a rotating cast of oddball fish for sale in Independence, MO that big-box pet stores simply don't carry, while a resident puffer named Odin and an axolotl hold court for visiting kids.
Cichlids, bettas, live plants, corals, and inverts round out a selection deep enough that families compare a visit to a trip to the public aquarium. If Brandon and Katie don't have the fish you're after, they'll track it down and have it waiting for your next visit. What keeps customers loyal is the time the owners spend teaching.
New tank owners coming off frustrating big-box experiences describe long, unhurried conversations about stocking plans, plant care, and species compatibility, with no pressure to buy. Reviewers also single out the prices as some of the fairest in the Kansas City metro. The space is compact and busy — owner-run, with one family doing the work — so a packed Saturday can mean a short wait, but regulars consider that part of the charm.
For aquarium keepers searching for a local fish store near me with genuinely knowledgeable people behind the counter, Live Art Aquatics has earned a devoted following across Independence and the eastern metro.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Live Art Aquatics in Independence, MO
Live Art Aquatics stocks corals, cichlids, betta fish, shrimp, invertebrates, rare and hard-to-find species, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Independence, MO. As an aquarium store serving Independence, MO, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Recently under new ownership by Brandon and Katherine, with longtime customers saying the knowledge and care carried right over
- Renovations underway with most tanks running and a livestock selection bigger than before
- Unusual stock for sale in Independence, MO including freshwater stingrays, lionfish, cherry shrimp, cichlids, and bettas
- Owners spend long, unhurried time teaching new tank owners with no pressure to buy
- Fair prices repeatedly called among the best in the Kansas City metro
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I like fish”
— J C5.0a month ago“I used to come here when first setting my tanks up under the previous owners and always enjoyed my trips. Learning new fish species and getting knowledge. Now that it's under new ownership I can confidently say that its not much different in that aspect. That's a good thing. They are currently working on renovations so not every tank is up and going (most are) but that's to be expected. I feel like they have more livestock now than before (it's been a while). I came in to restock an older tank that was losing fish due to life cycles ending. I found a new species I hadn't considered, gained some information about them and thought it over. Ended up buying my ultimate goal fish (well 2 of them) and then came back today to stock the tank I originally came for. To my suprise they not only had a few of what I wanted they had enough for my entire stock list. I ended up going home with 38 fish total for 2 different tanks and each one is happy and healthy. Bottom line is the store may have new faces than before, but it's no less a good source of livestock and information. I feel like the store has good things to come.”
— Josh Worthley5.0a month ago“Just love live art! If they dont have it they'll get it! ❤️❤️”
— elissa corrie5.0a month ago“This store is amazing! Great staff super knowledgeable. Highly recommend they go above and beyond for their customers. So glad I found this store will be coming back all the time for my tank !”
— Bambi Bell5.02 months ago“All the tanks here a beautiful and their prices fantastic. Brandon and Katherine are always helpful and honestly the place is just the vibes. Great prices and really just a true experience I highly recommend. Just between you and me if your reading this dont be trusting them 1 star haters!”
— William “SunWillKong” Spriggs5.02 months ago“Great place to get any fish but especially the odd balls! I have gotten I’d say 90% of my fish from here and have had amazing luck. Katherine and Brandon are always super helpful with any questions I have. All the bad reviews have been from customers with zero patience for small stores that are owner ran when they can’t get to you because they have 30 other customers in the store.”
— Jayce Clark5.02 months ago“OMG I do not know how this place is even in business! All the tanks were dirty, covered in algae and DEAD fish in multiple tanks! They had Cichlid fish gasping for air at the top of their tanks due to no filtration and overcrowding! The smell was overwhelming when you walked in just disgusting! They would t even get one star if o could have left a review without one! The poor Bettas omg one just dead up against the tank glass and the tanks just disgusting! They need to be shut down! The fact that they have so many 5 star reviews has me convinced the reviews are from the owners because I cannot believe people that are in the fish hobby would promote this place! Absolutely disgusting!”
— Wendy Ketterman1.02 months ago“Love love love it here 😍 The owner is always super friendly and is super knowledgeable. Always has a great selection.”
— ashley Frazier5.03 months ago“The tanks that the fish are in look terrible. The place smells horrid and it looks like the don't care about the animals that they do have for sale.”
— Shelby Dozier1.03 months ago“Katie and Brandon are so knowledgeable about all things fish! We have a new fresh water tank and in the process of setting it all up. We bought it at a big box store and no one could really answer our questions. Went to Live Art Aquatics and couldn't be happier that we went! They set us up the live plants, fish, how to care for everything and the do's and don'ts. The amount of time they took to explain was amazing! We never felt rushed or pressured to buy anything. This family is passionate about what they are doing and it shows. Some of the most genuine people you'll ever meet! Can't wait to return to buy more fish!”
— Sara Schmitz5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (816) 886-6832 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Live Art Aquatics.