About
Fintastic Aquariums of Wake County sits in Cary, North Carolina, and operates with the unmistakable energy of a hobbyist-run saltwater shop. David and his son run the operation, and regulars will tell you the personal touch shows — particularly in how the fish are cared for. One loyal customer noted that some fish stay in the shop for months, eventually finding their way into display tanks rather than being neglected.
That level of stewardship builds the kind of trust that keeps people driving an hour each way to shop here. The store's bread and butter is saltwater fish, and reviewers consistently praise the selection and pricing. David has a reputation for sourcing unique species that don't show up at other shops in the Raleigh-Cary area, which makes each visit feel like a treasure hunt for reef enthusiasts.
Invertebrates are another strong suit, with multiple customers calling out the great-priced inverts as a genuine draw. The coral side of the business has drawn more mixed feedback in recent times. While some reviewers rave about vibrant corals and quality frags, others have noted a decline in coral health and variety, with fewer SPS and LPS pieces in the displays than in years past.
The store has weathered challenges — COVID disrupted supply chains and shifted buying habits online, and inventory has reflected that struggle at times. It's an honest reality for many small reef shops. What hasn't wavered is the customer service.
Staff are consistently described as friendly, talkative, and genuinely open about their knowledge and recommendations. They'll give you straight answers about compatibility, care requirements, and what's actually thriving in their tanks. The shop also offers installation and maintenance services for those building or managing reef setups at home.
Fintastic runs specials frequently enough that regulars keep coming back to check what's new. If you're in the Triangle area and keeping a saltwater tank, the shop's combination of fairly priced livestock, honest advice, and genuine passion for the hobby makes it worth a visit — especially for fish.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Tank MaintenanceTank Setup
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Hobbyist-run saltwater shop operated by David and his son with hands-on care
- Unique and hard-to-find saltwater fish species at competitive prices
- Well-priced invertebrates praised by multiple reviewers
- Tank installation and maintenance services available
- Frequent specials on livestock and supplies
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place amazing staff! Flying back to NY with my goods!!”
— Joe D5.0a week ago“Used to be great. When I first started reef keeping, I bought all my coral and fish there. Now they can't keep coral alive, so the displays have a few bland LPS and some dying SPS. They don't stock dry goods at all. The kid running the store now doesn't really know much about the hobby. If you're looking to buy fish, they have a decent selection. Edit since you responded: No, the corals you've carried have been dead or dying for at least a year now. The tanks are not well-maintained or dosed, and it isn't worth even looking for coral at your store anymore. I'm sincerely sorry you got sick. I'm glad you're proud of your son. But the store is in a bad place now and is no longer worth shopping at. It makes me sad, since I was happy to support you over the other big local store, but without any dry goods or viable corals, there's no reason to visit other than the admittedly great priced inverts. It is what it is. You can get defensive or you can realize that your shop is in a bad place.”
— Erik Edmund1.0Edited a month ago“Sad that a beautiful store is not being utilized for the sake you can get products on the shelves, we spoke as I’m only that way once a year , Covid took the wind out of the sail and with the pop up of online stores no one is going out to buy essential items for their tanks ! Store is bare , maybe 75 fish , 75 frags and coral.”
— John Bartizek2.0a month ago“Good selection of fish for a good price”
— Andrew Dalton5.04 months ago“David and his son run such a cool salt water store. They get some of the most unique fish that I’ve never seen anywhere else and their customer service is first class. It’s an hour drive for me but 100% worth it.”
— Chris Inscore5.06 months ago“Great customer service,best corals I’ve seen in the Raleigh/cary area,great quality”
— Kimberly5.07 months ago“The staff is always friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They have a great selection of healthy fish and vibrant corals, and everything I’ve purchased from them has done really well in my tank. I’ve never had any issues with livestock from here. They also run great specials pretty often, which makes it even more worth the visit. Highly recommend for both beginners and experienced reefers!”
— Christian Montes Tirado5.07 months ago“Why do I love Fintastic Aquariums? - They are friendly and talkative - They treat their fish like their own pets. I go there once every week or two and have seen some of the same fish there for months and months. Some end up in their own displays and others are just fish that are harder to sell, but regardless, they are always happy and healthy and that is the most important part that I love about this store. I Trust them because of the obvious care they give to their fish. This is the most important part to me personally. Everything else is just a bonus. - Good prices - They are open and honest about anything you ask them.”
— Peyton Moser5.0Edited 7 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (919) 377-1839 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fintastic Aquariums of Wake County Inc.