Ocean Aquarium and Ponds

Tucked into Las Cruces, New Mexico — not exactly a hotbed for marine life — Ocean Aquarium and Ponds has become a destination store that saltwater and freshwater hobbyists drive hours to visit. Owner David (Dave to his regulars) runs a shop that punches well above its weight, stocking live coral, reef fish like anthias and gobies, anemones, clownfish, and a saltwater selection that has impressed enthusiasts from Alamogordo to El Paso. But this isn't a saltwater-only operation.

Dave carries a solid freshwater lineup including tropical fish, koi, freshwater shrimp, live plants, bottom feeders, and decorative driftwood — much of it priced at or below chain store levels. Multiple reviewers mention picking up everything needed for full tank setups, from a 55-gallon build to aquascaping supplies, all in a single visit. The store has even passed an Aquarium Co-Op inspection, a detail that speaks to the cleanliness and care visible in every tank on the floor.

The pond side of the business is real, too. Dave and his team handle koi pond cleaning, algae removal, and natural-looking hardscape features. One customer's before-and-after koi pond looked brand new, complete with a naturalistic hideout built for the fish.

What comes through most consistently across dozens of reviews is Dave himself. He remembers returning customers, recalls which fish they bought a year ago, takes time to educate newcomers on saltwater basics, and makes first-timers feel like regulars. One family with toddlers noted how welcome they felt browsing without pressure.

Another reviewer drove two hours and left feeling like a longtime customer. The store carries a broad inventory of aquarium equipment, fish food, medications, and accessories alongside the livestock. For anyone in southern New Mexico maintaining a reef tank, a planted freshwater setup, or a backyard koi pond, Ocean Aquarium and Ponds is the real deal — a locally owned shop with the stock, expertise, and pricing to keep hobbyists coming back.