Reef-Licious LLC

Reef-Licious LLC on San Mateo Blvd. in Albuquerque has built a devoted following around one simple principle: take care of the tanks, and the rest follows. Walk inside and it's immediately apparent — the water is crystal clear, the livestock is vibrant, and every system looks meticulously maintained.

It's a store that practices what it preaches, and reviewers consistently call it the cleanest fish shop they've ever visited. The saltwater side is the star attraction. Reef-Licious carries a deep selection of corals that customers drive five hours to buy, specifically because the pest-free tanks mean they can skip quarantine at home.

Anemones, marine fish, and full reef setups are core strengths, and owner Jin and team member D are frequently praised by name for their ability to walk customers through every stage of a saltwater build — from choosing equipment to long-term husbandry. But freshwater hasn't been forgotten. The store stocks what multiple reviewers call the best live aquarium plants in Albuquerque, and Jin recently helped a customer assemble a complete CO2 system for a freshwater aquascape, troubleshooting regulator issues and even calling manufacturer support to resolve them.

Bettas are kept in proper tanks rather than cups — a detail that matters to conscientious fishkeepers. The service side of the business is equally impressive. Reef-Licious offers in-home tank maintenance and cleaning, handling everything from monthly reef upkeep to one-off turtle tank cleanouts.

When a customer's 62-gallon tank developed a manufacturer defect and flooded their floor, Jin responded within five minutes, talked them through an emergency livestock rescue, and offered a full replacement or store credit the next morning — then personally delivered and set up the new tank. This is a family-owned operation where staff hold fish for customers whose families are sick, where receipts get tracked down for warranty claims, and where consultations feel more like conversations with a knowledgeable friend. For Albuquerque's reef and planted tank communities, Reef-Licious has become the definitive local destination.