Upscale Aquatics

Upscale Aquatics in Cornelius, North Carolina has built a devoted following across the Southeast — and for good reason. Serving the greater Charlotte area, this aquatics outlet stocks an impressive range of saltwater and freshwater fish, corals, and live plants, with enough oddball and brackish species to keep even niche hobbyists coming back. Reviewers who've scoured every fish store in the Charlotte metro consistently land here, calling it the only place worth visiting.

What sets Upscale Aquatics apart is the combination of serious inventory and old-school customer care. One longtime hobbyist with 28 years in the saltwater game shared how the team went above and beyond when UPS damaged a shipment containing an adult trigger fish — the owner personally sourced an even larger replacement and shipped it at no additional cost. That kind of accountability is rare in any retail business, let alone one shipping live animals.

Their shipping operation is a standout feature. With a reliable 2-day shipping option that reaches customers throughout the Southeast, they've earned a loyal remote customer base. A Florida-based brackish fish enthusiast praised the consistently healthy arrivals and fair prices.

Another customer ordered an Algae Octopus — an uncommon invertebrate — and raved about the communication throughout the process and the animal's condition on arrival. In-store, the selection spans the full spectrum: saltwater fish and corals for reef keepers, freshwater tropicals for planted tank enthusiasts, and enough plant life to fill out any aquascape. Staff are described as genuinely passionate and knowledgeable, happy to guide customers through stocking decisions or care questions without pressure.

Upscale Aquatics operates with the intensity of a serious hobbyist shop and the professionalism of a well-run online retailer. For aquarists in the Cornelius and Charlotte area — or anywhere in the Southeast willing to order online — this is a store that earns its reputation one healthy fish at a time.