About
Aquarium & Imports Inc. — known to some longtime locals as WNC Aquarium — is a sprawling, independently run animal and aquarium store in Arden, NC, just south of Asheville. It keeps birds, reptiles, and small mammals, but for area aquarists the draw is the fish room, which reviewers consistently single out as the strongest part of the shop.
Walk in and you'll find rows of clean, well-tended tanks full of energetic stock at prices regulars describe as hard to beat. The koi selection is the local legend here. Shoppers hunting koi for sale in Arden, NC have called it the best they found anywhere in the region, with a wide range of sizes and colors to pick through in person.
On the saltwater side, the store leans into reef keeping — hobbyists starting a reef tank near me come for marine fish, live rock, and the equipment and supplies to get a system running. Between the freshwater and marine sections, it reads like an old-school, non-box-store aquarium shop where the inventory shifts week to week and you never quite know what cool fish might have come in. What keeps people coming back is the staff.
Owner Jesse and his crew, including Billy, are repeatedly described as knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely invested in helping people new to the hobby — happy to answer questions at length, share care tips, and never make a browsing customer feel like a bother. Long-time visitors, some going on a decade or more, credit the team with nursing sick animals back to health and clearly caring about the livestock on the floor. As a busy multi-animal store, Aquarium & Imports is polarizing, and opinions on its non-aquatic sections are mixed, so prospective buyers of reptiles or birds should look closely before purchasing.
But for Asheville-area fishkeepers searching for koi, marine fish, or live rock available in Arden, NC, the aquatic department earns steady, enthusiastic praise and remains well worth an in-person visit.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Aquarium & Imports Inc. in Arden, NC
Aquarium & Imports Inc. stocks koi, live rock, reef fish and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Arden, NC. As an aquarium store serving Arden, NC, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Koi selection regulars call the best in the Asheville area — a wide range of sizes and colors
- Marine fish, live rock, and reef equipment for saltwater hobbyists
- Clean, well-maintained fish tanks stocked with healthy, energetic livestock
- Owner Jesse and staffer Billy known for patient, knowledgeable help, especially for newcomers
- Reasonable, hard-to-beat pricing and a rotating, treasure-hunt selection
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Always go here to get our fish disant prices and owners are very helpful”
— Vicki Lively5.03 weeks ago“Called to ask about available parrots, was told that "they do not have time for this, to call somewhere else". Obviously, they do not want my business.”
— james bass461.0a month ago“Great place”
— Gary Taylor5.0a month ago“Animals without water.”
— Tiffany Jourdain1.0a month ago“As an avid animal lover, this place broke my heart. I’m sure they try but they shouldn’t take on more animals than they can properly care for. I’m sad to say the bad reviews are honest, not much in the tanks for the animals to hide in, most of the fish tanks have little to no decor, the rabbits are crapped and look pitiful, along with the birds and snakes. Something should be done about this place.”
— Kaitlin Hall1.02 months ago“Jesse the owner and the rest of the staff including Billy are super knowledgeable and friendly. They really care about supporting people new to the hobby. Highly recommended store based on my experience.”
— Robert Epstein5.04 months ago“I’ve been going to WNC Aquarium for about 12 years, and I can confidently say they take exceptional care of every animal. The facility is always clean and well maintained, the animals are healthy and very docile, and their prices are amazing. They don’t just sell animals—they genuinely love and care for them. If you ever have a sick reptile, snake, or any other animal, take them to WNC. They truly know what they’re doing and follow the proper procedures to help animals recover. They have saved so many of my snakes that I’ve honestly lost count. Absolutely amazing people and service. Stop supporting pet stores that overstock and mistreat animals—go to WNC, where you know the animals are loved and properly cared for.”
— Jessica Okelly5.02 weeks ago“Always helpful!”
— Derek Blackford5.02 weeks ago“This place is very dirty. Some supplies are outdated. I fear of the health of the birds.”
— Sandy Sanders1.0a month ago“I've been going frequently for the better part of a month now and both of the guys there are always friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to give tips and advice. I've purchased an assortment of aquatic animals from here now and they are all healthy and thriving. You can tell they really care about each individual animal in the store. Wish I could give 10 stars”
— justin narragon5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (828) 654-9938 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquarium & Imports Inc..