About
River and Reef Aquatics is an independent, locally owned aquarium store in Statesville, North Carolina, stocking both freshwater and saltwater livestock under one roof. Owner Vinnie and his small crew have built their reputation on patience — regulars describe long, unhurried conversations at the counter, the kind where you can map out an entire tank build from water chemistry to a final stocking list before buying a single fish. One newcomer who started a saltwater setup from scratch credited the team with walking him through every step, from water quality to stocking to the possibility of a custom tank down the road.
On the freshwater side, shoppers come for the variety and the health of the stock. Live plants, community fish, and a steady rotation of invertebrates fill the tanks, and customers have carried home mystery snails, amano shrimp, and bamboo shrimp that proved hardy weeks later. If you are hunting for freshwater shrimp or aquarium plants for sale in Statesville, NC, this is the kind of shop where the staff actually know what is swimming in each tank.
Plenty of hobbyists searching for a local fish store near me have made it their regular restocking stop. The saltwater room adds marine fish, corals, live rock, and reef invertebrates, with the owner glad to special-order a particular fish or coral when it is not already on hand. The shop also builds and sets up custom aquariums — one regular's 60-gallon ProClear system came together with the owner's hands-on help.
A recent first-time visitor found the fish and plants healthy and the selection good, and said he would be back. Expect a casual, personal atmosphere where you are likely to be greeted at the door, sometimes by the resident shop dogs, and met with real enthusiasm for the hobby. For Statesville-area fishkeepers who want genuine expertise instead of big-box anonymity, River and Reef Aquatics is a hands-on, community-minded place to shop in person.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at River and Reef Aquatics in Statesville, NC
River and Reef Aquatics stocks corals, reef fish, invertebrates, shrimp, live rock, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Statesville, NC. As an aquarium store serving Statesville, NC, it also offers custom tank builds, aquarium consultations and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Vinnie and crew spend real time educating customers on both freshwater and saltwater setups
- Healthy freshwater stock including mystery snails, amano shrimp, and bamboo shrimp
- Saltwater room with marine fish, corals, live rock, and reef invertebrates
- Builds custom aquariums and will special-order specific fish and corals
- Casual, personal shop — greeted at the door, sometimes by the resident shop dogs
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Drove over 40 minutes to get here. Just for there to be a sign on the locked. Door saying, they were going to be closed Friday and Thursday of last week. And to call ahead of time, to make sure they're open. I called, and the number's not in service. I would not go here.I don't think they're in business.Anymore”
— Stephanie Johnson1.0a month ago“Hopefully the store is open if you go... I talked with the owner (I assume) on Tuesday about some snails for my daughters tank as well as for my paludarium. He enthusiastically let me know the color variations of the type we were looking for and I let him know I would not be able to make it there that day (Tuesday) but would be there Wednesday, he said no problem. I take my daughter there on Wednesday and the store is closed with all lights off, at 1:15pm (they open at 1pm). I figured maybe he was running late so I called and it went to voicemail. We waited thirty more minutes in the parking lot and watched another person arrive and look through the windows. I asked her if they knew when they were supposed to open and she did not and commented that the lights are always off when she drives by and cannot believe there are fish inside because they never have light. We drove 45 minutes to get there so I stopped in the shop next door and that shop owner told us that this has been happening non stop every day of the week and she had no idea what has been going on. Before leaving I checked their social media which is pretty non-existent but it also said they opened at 1pm like their online listing. I also tried the other phone number they have listed on their Facebook page, but it is disconnected. We decided to return home at 2pm disappointed, especially my daughter who excitedly chose getting snails for her tank over a school activity she could have attended. If you go, good luck and I hope they are open for you but looking into more recent reviews... maybe we dodged a bullet here.”
— Tyler King1.0a month ago“Wasn't very friendly when I came in. First impressions”
— Leigh Hobbs1.0a month ago“I have been in aquarium stores all over the US, all over the world, Third World countries, that none were ever as bad as this store! Every tank is solid green with algae dead fish, and almost every tank the smell of dead fish everywhere I have no idea how this place hasn’t been shut down by the county or the city. It’s animal cruelty.”
— Treasure Monk1.0a month ago“Drove 45 min just to find out the door was locked. I called the number provided and it did not state that they were closed. Very disappointed in the lack of communication of store hours. Wasted 2 hrs of my Saturday.”
— Christina D1.02 months ago“The rating from what ive heard but do they sell keyhole cichlids or Bolivian rams either those or flag acara I’m gonna pick would love to have a keyhole cichlids tho for my natural community tank. Edit i feel bad that people seem to hate this place it seems quite good im gonna come and see what they have soon when i get some money but people dont hate on this place its a family business and i believe you have not seen petsmart in wilkesboro so many dead fish guppys bettas alot was dead cherry barbs was suffering if you think this is bad ho find other places and change your mind”
— Coltan Groce5.02 months ago“They were closed even though we arrived during business hours, so it was disappointing”
— Amy Hoogendoorn2.02 months ago“First time visiting. Fish and plants looked healthy, good selection and variety. Tank glass was not super clean, but didn't scare us away. Will be back.”
— Ryan Feeley5.03 months ago“Drove an hour away to get here and they were closed and from looking through the window it looked like they were closed down. Website shows them open and when you call it said they were open but busy helping people on the floor. Front door was locked and it was a Saturday at 2:00 P.M. very disappointed.”
— Edward Clifton1.03 months ago“This store is horrible - one of the worst aquarium stores I've ever been to. Filthy conditions - dirty water, dead fish in numerous tanks, scum on the water surface. The staff apparently can't be bothered to even wipe the front glass on any of the tanks. Many tanks empty - or holding one or two fish. Several fish showing signs of underfeeding/starvation. Several areas with lights that weren't working, tanks that were completely empty, etc. Bad algae problems in all the tanks indicating extremely poor water conditions. And hey! It's almost February - you want to take down your sad Christmas tree? It's like the staff gave up caring months ago... and the store is well on its way to being closed.”
— G Peterson1.02 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (704) 682-8797 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting River and Reef Aquatics.