About
Rivers & Reefs in Omaha, Nebraska is one of those stores where the sheer density of tanks stops you in your tracks. Reviewers aren't exaggerating when they say it's wall-to-wall aquariums — big display tanks in the middle of the room, freshwater setups on one side, saltwater on the other, with barely enough walking space to squeeze between them. Owned and operated by Nick and his wife Sasha, the shop has been a fixture since at least 2002, building a reputation as one of the best saltwater destinations in the state and arguably the broader Midwest.
The coral selection draws particular praise, alongside a saltwater fish inventory that rivals the freshwater side in depth. On the freshwater front, the discus are frequently singled out as the nicest in town, and the shrimp selection keeps dedicated invertebrate keepers coming back. Live plants are a genuine strength — water lettuce, floating plants, and a rotating stock of aquatic species that reviewers consistently describe as healthy and well-priced.
Mystery snails and other invertebrates round out the livestock offerings. What makes Rivers & Reefs stand out beyond its inventory is the consultative approach. Multiple customers describe staff members talking them out of unnecessary purchases — one reviewer came in ready to buy a new filter, only to be shown how to fix their existing one.
That kind of honesty builds the trust that's evident across hundreds of reviews. The team is equally comfortable helping a parent set up a goldfish tank with snails and floating plants as they are discussing reef chemistry with experienced hobbyists. The store stocks tanks at competitive prices, along with food, equipment, and medications.
They announce new shipments on Facebook, which regulars monitor closely. Tank cleanliness is consistently noted, a detail that speaks to the care behind the operation. For Omaha aquarium enthusiasts, Rivers & Reefs delivers the combination of deep livestock variety, fair pricing, and genuine expertise that keeps people driving across town — and sometimes much farther — to shop here.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- ConsultationTank Setup
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Wall-to-wall tanks with equal depth in freshwater and saltwater livestock
- Highly regarded coral selection and saltwater inventory
- Nicest discus in Omaha according to multiple reviewers
- Extensive healthy live plant selection at reasonable prices
- Shrimp and invertebrate offerings including mystery snails
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I bought my black orchid crowntail and my mystery snail here, and both are doing very well. It is such a great set up and it's such a great feeling to walk in to a local fish store and see how well they keep their fish and plants! You can tell just by walking in and seeing the aquarium setups that they know what they are doing. I decided to go back and buy some water lettuce to float on top of my tank. I will always come to this store for my fish needs.”
— Sahra Worthington5.03 weeks ago“Very friendly and informed staff. They have a variety of fish and plants.”
— Rick Andres5.0a month ago“Great fish store. Wish I knew it was there sooner. Nice supply of coral and saltwater. Freshwater is set up nice as well. Healthy fish is a nice thing to see.”
— Brenda D5.0a month ago“Love their selection along with the staff who are always very helpful and knowledgeable. When I thought I broke my filter and said I needed a new one, the staff member was honest with me about how easy it was to fix instead of just taking my money. Appreciated that so much and recommend this place to everyone fish owner.”
— Caitlin Harms5.02 months ago“Nice store, lots of fish and such”
— Curtis Sawyer4.02 months ago“Great store, ran by people who know what they are doing and are kind and helpful!! A huge variety of healthy fish. This is my go to for great shrimp and fish.”
— Jennifer VanCleve5.02 months ago“They were fantastic! I have wanted to set up a small fish tank for a while and they got me a good deal and lots of very good info”
— Richard Hanlon5.04 months ago“I had a great experience here. The staff took the time to really listen and focus on what I was looking for, and they were very knowledgeable when answering all of my questions. Everyone was super helpful, and the pricing is very reasonable. They also have a wide variety of fish, food, and supplies for both saltwater and freshwater tanks. Overall, a fantastic local fish store that I’ll definitely keep coming back to.”
— Jack Weiss5.04 months ago“Good selection of fish good prices”
— Daymon Jarrett5.04 months ago“I had a big goofy grin of excitement on my face the entire time. This place takes good care of their fish and plants. It fills an aquarium enthusiast with joy.”
— Janae5.05 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (402) 493-5268 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Rivers & Reefs.