Art Of Aquaria

Art of Aquaria has carved out a devoted following in the St. Louis aquarium scene by doing things a little differently. Tucked into a space that's bigger than it first appears, the shop is built around a passion for aquascaping, live plants, and thoughtfully curated livestock rather than sheer volume.

Reviewers consistently call out the plant selection as the best in the area — lush, healthy, and varied enough to anchor everything from a simple nano setup to a full planted display tank. The shrimp selection is another standout. Multiple customers describe it as the best in the St.

Louis metro, with colorful cherry shrimp varieties, blue dream, and crystal shrimp drawing hobbyists from across the region. The store also stocks a compelling range of small community fish, Bolivian rams, plecos, and other species you won't find at big-box chains. A dedicated room houses driftwood and hardscape rocks — much of it sourced locally — giving aquascapers a hands-on way to plan their layouts.

Frameless and micro tanks line the shelves alongside premium fish foods and dry goods, and the shop has expanded into corals, saltwater, reptiles, and terrestrial invertebrates. Tanks throughout the store are notably clean and well-maintained, a detail that comes up in review after review. Free water testing is available, and the staff — often the owners themselves — are praised for spending real time walking customers through setups, cycling questions, and livestock compatibility.

The vibe is relaxed and knowledgeable rather than pushy. One customer recounted meeting an owner at a MASI (Missouri Aquarium Society) swap meet and being directed to freshly stocked Bolivian Rams at the shop. Another credited the team with helping them build their very first aquascape from scratch, supplying everything from substrate to tips and tricks.

Art of Aquaria rewards the visit. It's a store shaped by people who clearly keep tanks themselves, and that sensibility shows in every detail — from the livestock health to the carefully chosen inventory.