Treasure State Aquariums has become the aquatic heartbeat of Billings, Montana — the kind of store that draws hobbyists from as far as Wyoming willing to make the drive for healthy livestock, quality plants, and advice they can actually trust. Owners Crowell and Lauren have built something rare in Eastern Montana: a proper aquarium shop that covers both freshwater and saltwater with equal care and depth.
The freshwater selection is the store's backbone, with everything from bettas and kuhli loaches to shrimp and community tank staples. Their planted tank offerings are particularly strong — live plants, aquascaping wood, and the supplies to build high-tech planted setups that rival anything you'd see online. On the saltwater side, they stock corals and marine livestock alongside the necessary equipment. One reviewer noted they even carry isopods, hinting at the kind of curiosity-driven inventory that keeps regulars coming back to browse.
What sets Treasure State apart is their quarantine practice — they hold fish before selling, a step most local shops skip entirely. Customers consistently report receiving healthy, vibrant animals, and when something specific isn't in stock, the staff will source specialized species by special order. The water testing service has helped newcomers feel confident enough to start their first tanks, and the team is known for walking customers through compatible species selections and full tank setups from cycling to stocking.
The display tanks are worth a visit on their own — multiple reviewers have posted videos and photos of setups built with Treasure State's guidance, including stunning 60-gallon freshwater arrangements. The store is clean, well-organized, and stocked with competitive prices on both livestock and dry goods.
One family came in knowing nothing about fishkeeping and left with shrimp and the confidence to keep them alive. A 20-year veteran hobbyist called the staff the most knowledgeable they've ever encountered. That range — from absolute beginners to seasoned aquarists — is where Treasure State lives, and it's why nothing else in Billings comes close.
Tucked away on Palmer Street in Missoula, Blue Reef is the kind of independent fish store that inspires loyalty bordering on devotion — customers regularly drive two hours just to shop here rather than gamble on online orders. Owner Travis Homme runs the operation with a hands-on intensity that's evident the moment you walk in. The tanks are immaculate, the livestock is healthy, and the coral selection is remarkable, much of it fragged and grown by Travis himself before it hits the sales floor.
The saltwater side of Blue Reef is where things really shine. Reef hobbyists will find an impressive spread of corals alongside quality saltwater fish, and Travis has guided countless customers through the process of setting up their first reef systems — from choosing the right sump configuration to troubleshooting equipment failures. He makes house calls, too, which is nearly unheard of for a shop this size.
Freshwater enthusiasts aren't an afterthought, though. Blue Reef stocks a solid variety of freshwater fish and live plants, and the Amano shrimp come in healthy and ready to work. One detail that sets this store apart is the RO water station — multiple reviewers credit it with transforming their tanks from cloudy disappointments to crystal-clear showcases. Travis also makes his own frozen fish food in-house alongside commercial frozen options, and customers report their fish going wild for the homemade blends.
What makes Blue Reef genuinely special in the Missoula aquarium scene is the consultation that comes free with every visit. Travis doesn't gatekeep information. He'll tell you exactly what's going wrong with your water chemistry, recommend specific fixes, and follow up. Newcomers describe him as the person who made the hobby accessible to them, while experienced hobbyists appreciate his willingness to stay current rather than relying on outdated practices. The store has earned a near-perfect rating across 70 reviews in a market that desperately needed a serious fish shop, and it delivers.
Tucked away in Kalispell, Montana, The Aquarium Shop is the kind of locally owned store that earns its loyal following one fish at a time. With a 4.7 rating across hundreds of reviews, this small but well-stocked shop has been a fixture in the Flathead Valley for years — some customers recall visiting as kids and still coming back as adults.
The store carries a large selection of both freshwater and saltwater fish, and while they may not always have a specific species on the floor, they're happy to special order what you need. One of the standout practices here is their quarantine protocol: new arrivals are held in quarantine before being made available for sale, giving buyers confidence that their fish are healthy and acclimated. That kind of care-first approach sets The Aquarium Shop apart from big-box alternatives.
Beyond livestock, the store sells tanks, colored gravel, and other dry goods to outfit your aquarium. Staff members are consistently praised for their deep knowledge and willingness to answer questions — even from complete beginners — without a hint of judgment. Whether you're troubleshooting a stubborn water chemistry issue or picking out your first setup, the team provides genuinely useful advice and care tips that customers rave about.
The shop also doubles as a bit of a local attraction. Several reviewers mention bringing kids just to see the impressive display of large fish, making it a fun stop even if you're not buying. A cheeky sign about unattended children being "towed away at owner's expense" adds to the lighthearted atmosphere. And it's not just fish — the store also caters to owners of four-legged pets, broadening its appeal as a neighborhood go-to for animal lovers across Kalispell.
Pricing runs a bit higher than online or chain stores, but the trade-off is expert guidance, healthy stock, and the satisfaction of supporting a genuinely community-minded local business.
Tucked into Bozeman, Montana, The Viv Bioactive has earned a devoted following among freshwater fishkeepers and reptile enthusiasts alike. The store started with a strong reptile identity — bioactive terrariums, dart frog setups, snakes, and lizards — but its freshwater fish and planted aquarium section has grown into a real draw for the local aquatics community.
Customers consistently praise the health of the animals here. Multiple reviewers who previously dealt with sick fish from big-box stores say they haven't had an unhealthy animal since switching to The Viv. The shop stocks corydoras, shrimp, axolotls, goldfish, and can special-order species that are hard to find locally — one customer reported receiving fish they'd been searching for, arriving in about two weeks. Live aquatic plants are a standout, with reviewers noting their quality and the staff's willingness to recommend species suited to specific tanks.
What really sets The Viv apart is its custom build work. The team constructs bioactive enclosures and custom aquarium setups, complete with photo updates during the process. One customer described getting a custom tank built with attentive communication throughout, while another had a beautiful bioactive dart frog terrarium created that became a family centerpiece. Staff have helped customers set up 55-gallon freshwater aquariums from scratch, walking them through equipment, lighting, and plant selection.
The shop also offers snake boarding for trips — a rare and practical service — and hosts events including birthday parties and reptile handling experiences. Founded by Lauren, whose legacy of ethical animal care permeates the business, The Viv maintains clean, appropriately sized enclosures and emphasizes education over sales pressure. Staff members like Nora, Dayton, and Laura are frequently called out by name for their patience and expertise.
For Bozeman residents building a planted tank, sourcing healthy freshwater fish, or looking for an axolotl with proper guidance, The Viv Bioactive is the local shop that actually backs up its recommendations with results.
Tucked into Livingston, Montana — a town better known for fly fishing than reef tanks — Crystal Clear Aquariums has built a reputation that draws hobbyists from as far as Billings and Belgrade. Owner Tanner and his team, including staff members Malachi and Cara, have created something that multiple reviewers describe as feeling more like walking into an actual public aquarium than a retail shop. The coral reef step displays and dynamic aquatic scenes stop visitors in their tracks the moment they walk through the door, past the lionfish that guards the entrance.
The store carries a serious range of both freshwater and saltwater livestock. Customers have picked up arowanas, loaches, white cloud minnows, ghost shrimp, crawdads, and an impressive variety of corals — species you'd typically have to order online. Live plants are a clear strength, with healthy stock that keeps planted tank enthusiasts coming back. They also sell filtered water, heaters, filters, tank lights, and a solid spread of dry goods and fish food, making it genuinely possible to build an entire setup from scratch here.
What sets Crystal Clear apart is the caliber of care. Tanner once talked a fish-sitter through an emergency pump failure over the phone while the owner was on vacation, then came over to fix the issue — saving the entire tank. Malachi has been known to give personalized tours of the saltwater section, feed his grouper friend for visitors, and walk customers through exactly how to expand a 10-gallon setup on a budget. Cara fields freshwater questions with expertise and humor. Even on chaotic shipment days with boxes stacked everywhere, no one gets brushed off.
The tanks throughout the store are consistently described as clean and well-maintained, with no dead or sick fish in sight — a detail experienced hobbyists notice immediately. Prices are called fair and even incredible for the quality of livestock available. For anyone building or maintaining a freshwater or saltwater system in Montana, Crystal Clear Aquariums is a destination worth the drive.
An Octopus Garden is Billings, Montana's dedicated saltwater destination, and owner Tom has built a loyal following through deep expertise and a genuine passion for reef keeping. Tucked into a newer location, this small shop punches above its weight with a rotating selection of corals, saltwater fish, and invertebrates — including specialty finds like harlequin shrimp and butterfly fish that Tom will track down for dedicated hobbyists.
The store's bread and butter is clearly saltwater. Reviewers consistently praise the health of Tom's livestock — one visitor marveled that there wasn't a single dead fish across all the tanks. Corals are a major draw, with customers noting species they've never encountered elsewhere. Live rock is available, and Tom stocks the essentials to get a reef system running from scratch. He's even sourced full setups like a 65-gallon Red Sea Reefer through vendor connections, saving customers money by shipping directly to the shop.
Beyond retail, Tom provides aquarium maintenance and contracted tank services around the Billings area — building and maintaining what one customer called 'the masterpiece of your dreams.' He's accessible by text, phone, or in person, and multiple reviewers describe marathon Q&A sessions where he patiently walks newcomers through the complexities of saltwater chemistry and husbandry. Special orders are available for specific fish species, and Tom learns his customers' preferences to flag arrivals.
The shop also carries some freshwater livestock and plants, though saltwater dominates the inventory. RO water is available on-site. It's worth noting the store keeps weekend-focused hours, so plan accordingly. As the last saltwater-focused fish store in Billings, An Octopus Garden fills a critical niche for Montana reef enthusiasts who'd otherwise be ordering everything online. Tom's willingness to go the extra mile — hunting down rare specimens, answering late-night questions, sourcing equipment at competitive prices — makes this a shop worth supporting.
