About
Fintastic Aquariums of Wake County is a hobbyist-run saltwater shop in Cary, NC, and it has the feel of a store built by people who actually keep reef tanks. David and his son run the floor, and the thing regulars mention first is the care: customers describe fish that stay healthy in the shop for months, some eventually graduating into the store's own display tanks rather than being pushed out the door. That kind of stewardship is why people happily drive an hour each way to shop here.
Saltwater fish are the heart of the place. Reviewers consistently call out a good selection of healthy fish at genuinely fair prices, and David has a knack for sourcing unusual species you won't spot at other shops around the Raleigh-Cary area, so each visit feels a little like a treasure hunt. If you're hunting for marine fish or clownfish for sale in Cary, NC, this is a natural first stop.
Invertebrates are another real strength — snails, detritus cleaners, and other reef cleanup crew are praised again and again as well-priced and genuinely useful for tank maintenance. The shop also keeps corals and frags, with frag tanks and a big main display that first-timers tend to gawk at. Staff are the through-line in nearly every review: friendly, talkative, and knowledgeable without ever being pushy or condescending.
As one recent visitor put it, the prices are reasonable and the staff are always kind and knowledgeable; another noted you can ask real questions and get thoughtful answers instead of feeling rushed or brushed off. They'll test your water, talk through compatibility, and make honest recommendations for your tank. For reefers building or maintaining a system at home, Fintastic offers tank setup and maintenance help, and the store runs frequent specials that keep regulars checking back.
If you keep a saltwater tank anywhere in the Triangle, this Cary aquarium store is well worth the trip for its livestock, its inverts, and the unhurried, hands-on advice.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fintastic Aquariums of Wake County Inc in Cary, NC
Fintastic Aquariums of Wake County Inc stocks corals, reef fish, invertebrates, rare and hard-to-find species, clownfish and saltwater fish for sale in Cary, NC. As an aquarium store serving Cary, NC, it also offers tank maintenance, aquarium setup and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Hobbyist-run saltwater and reef aquarium store operated by David and his son
- Good selection of healthy, often hard-to-find saltwater fish at consistently fair prices
- Well-priced invertebrates and reef cleanup crew (snails, detritus cleaners)
- Knowledgeable, no-pressure staff who test water and give honest advice
- Tank setup and maintenance services plus frequent in-store specials
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Extremely reasonable prices and the staff are always so kind and knowledgeable.”
— Jason Nguyen5.03 weeks ago“I love this place. Their prices are consistently fair and the quality has always been solid. What really sets them apart is the staff. Every time I’ve gone in, they’ve been genuinely helpful without being pushy or condescending. You can ask questions and actually get thoughtful answers instead of feeling rushed or brushed off.”
— Eliza Swan5.02 months ago“I have kept saltwater fish/coral for over ten years. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.”
— Sven1.03 months ago“Great place they are always helpful”
— Cesar d'Erizans5.03 months ago“I've seen about every disease in this store at one point or another from velvet to uronema. The new guy running the place doesn't know what he's doing either.”
— James Faucette1.03 months ago“Very helpful with plenty of knowledge”
— Leon Lea5.03 months ago“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“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.”
— Edmund1.0Edited 6 months 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
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.