About
Tucked along 23rd Street in Columbus, Nebraska—right next to Ginger Moon Insurance—Aquatic Adventures has filled a void that locals say the town needed for decades. Owned and operated by Nikki and Ryan, this independently run fish and reptile shop has quickly become the go-to destination for aquarium hobbyists who previously had to drive two hours to Lincoln or Omaha for quality livestock and supplies. The store stocks a wide range of freshwater fish, including species reviewers describe as rare and hard to find elsewhere in Nebraska.
A smaller but appreciated saltwater selection rounds things out, and axolotls are a consistent draw—one family visited specifically so their grandson could see them, while another purchased one after Nikki thoroughly quizzed their son on proper axolotl care. Live plants are available too, and Nikki has been known to suggest using a plant as a natural filter for a single betta setup rather than upselling customers on unnecessary equipment. That kind of honest, hands-on guidance defines the Aquatic Adventures experience.
Multiple reviewers recount Nikki walking them through tank problems step by step—one customer with persistent cloudy water followed her recommendations and had crystal-clear results by the next morning. She's also known for following up with customers outside store hours to check on newly purchased fish, a level of dedication that builds fierce loyalty. The tanks are consistently praised as clean and well-maintained, with healthy, lively fish showing no signs of disease or stress.
The shop carries a solid range of fish foods, aquarium décor, and accessories, along with reptile supplies and feeder crickets. A friendly bearded dragon roams the store, adding to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. For Columbus-area aquarists, Aquatic Adventures delivers something that big-box pet stores simply can't: genuine expertise, carefully maintained livestock, and owners who clearly love what they do.
The store has cultivated a community of repeat customers who keep coming back—some more often than they'd like to admit.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- ConsultationWater Testing
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Axolotls available with thorough care education before purchase
- Rare and hard-to-find freshwater species not typically available in Nebraska
- Owner Nikki follows up with customers outside store hours to check on fish health
- Immaculately clean and well-maintained tanks throughout the store
- Live plants offered as natural filtration alternatives
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Loved the place”
— Kirstie5.0a day ago“All the fish there are beautiful the store looked well kept the staff is friendly”
— Christian Shipley5.0a month ago“We had a great experience here. The owner is very knowledgeable. Our tank was cloudy. We had tried water treatments and everything else we could think of without any change. I talked to the owner and told her our situation. She made a couple of recommendations which I did that evening. The next morning the tank was so much clearer. After I changed out the water today the water is now crystal clear. I will definitely be making the 2 hour drive for all my aquarium needs.”
— Deniese Bazemore-Gaedeke5.02 months ago“Ryan and Nikki are the absolute best!!! 💯 great business and amazing people!!❤️”
— Tiffany “Ann”5.02 months ago“Very friendly and helpful. If you need anything for fish or lizards,frogs they have it. I will be going there from now on. Nice little place on 23rd street rite next to Ginger Moon Insurance.”
— Brandon Poindexter4.02 months ago“We’ve had the absolute best experience here! The customer service is unmatched, the prices are great, and the fish are so well cared for. Nikki truly goes above and beyond to make sure her customers are happy—both in and outside the store. I brought my kids here to get their very first fish, and we were a little nervous after a bad experience at PetSmart (those fish didn’t even make it a week). We explained our concerns to Nikki, and she immediately put us at ease. She walked us through everything step-by-step, patiently explaining what we needed and why. She even taught us something new—that we could use a plant as a natural filter instead of buying a full tank setup for our single betta. Who knew?! What really stood out was her genuine care. Nikki followed up with us several times outside of store hours just to make sure our fish was doing well and that we felt confident caring for it. That kind of dedication is rare these days. Nikki is knowledgeable, kind, and passionate about what she does. Her fish are healthy, her store is spotless, and her heart is in her business. We can’t recommend this small business enough!”
— concepcion millan5.03 months ago“Great place to do business and the owners are super friendly”
— Shawn Gill5.03 months ago“This little store is amazing!”
— AMY J BOOTH5.04 months ago“Very helpful and educational nice store”
— Lilbitchery5.04 months ago“Columbus has needed this store for a loooooooong time! My son got a tarantula a while ago and there was no where in town to buy crickets. Thank goodness this store opened! Owner/employees are very friendly, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to do business with.”
— Hatch5.05 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (402) 835-9884 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquatic Adventures.