About
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. ' 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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Last dedicated saltwater fish store in Billings, Montana
- Owner Tom sources rare specimens like harlequin shrimp and specialty corals
- Can order full reef systems like Red Sea Reefer tanks through vendor connections
- Aquarium maintenance and custom tank build services available
- RO water available on-site
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Love coming here on weekends to check out interesting corals and fish, some I've never seen before!”
— Chris Fuqua5.0Edited a year ago“Visited for the first time and will be the last time. Shop was a mess, tanks were dirty/battling algae and fish were in very poor conditions when I stopped by and seemed very neglected from tending to the needs of other privately owned setups and contracted aquarium maintenance scheduling which is probably how they manage staying in business. Only open on the weekends with not much of anything in stock so definitely not practical for anyone in general unless they source their supplies elsewhere. Say they do special orders but found this to be contingent on their mood as well. This was my personal experience with this place and the people who run it so a big nope from me or anyone hoping for a good lfs experience.”
— nomad ole1.0a year ago“Pretty neat to see all the different critters and plants available for aquariums! Fairly knowledgeable staff and some tank supplies on hand. Also appeared to have RO water available.”
— Noneya Beeswax5.02 years ago“When we visited on Friday the 8th of September the gentleman that was running the shop this day blatantly ignored my wife and I while we politely waited for him to finish his conversation with another customer and after when it was only my wife and I and the person running the place, he continued to ignore us eventhough we were very interested in some of the fish that they had for sale. Very disappointed with the service and probably won't go back they lost a very active customer in the saltwater hobby.”
— Hank Gamin1.02 years ago“Friendly people that let you brous as much as you want. They have a good selection of coral and fish. Tom found out the types of fish I like & orders them when available. Wish they carried more beginners "type" supplies ie. Circulation pumps, lights and filters for fish only tanks.”
— Bob Williams5.03 years ago“Friendly staff nice fish and corals”
— Anthony Weise (Mr MonkeyP00)5.03 years ago“Great store! Helpful person in store with knowledge and willingness to help.”
— Teresa Dillinger5.03 years ago“Owners are great and helpful. Good prices on fish and supplies. The last saltwater store in Billings - so we need to keep it going.”
— Doug Kinne5.04 years ago“Go support Tom with octopus garden at his new location . If you want a thriving fish tank with QUALITY corals,fish,lights and want to support small local businesses this is the place to go !!”
— Shann5.04 years ago“Tom will always answer questions no matter how detailed or simple. He will not sell anything that's not in top shape. Check back often as his stock changes all the time.”
— Phil Gilbert5.04 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (406) 969-3001 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting An Octopus Garden - Aquarium Store.