About
Big Fish has become Wilmington's destination aquarium store, the kind of place hobbyists happily drive 45 minutes or more to reach, passing big-box pet shops along the way. Walking in feels less like shopping and more like touring an aquarium: a mellow front room opens into back rooms lined with spotless, immaculately maintained tanks. Reviewers consistently note they've never spotted a sick or passed fish among the many, many tanks here, a testament to how seriously the team takes livestock health.
The selection leans toward the exotic and uncommon. You'll find freshwater and saltwater fish for sale in Wilmington, NC, alongside corals, live aquatic plants, reptiles, and the store's resident caiman mascot. Regulars come for things they can't source anywhere else nearby: Figure 8 puffers, honey gouramis, goldfish, plecos, cichlids, bettas, and nerite snails, plus pond fish like mosquito fish for outdoor ponds.
Big Fish is also the area's go-to for live brine shrimp, sold as a hunting treat for fish, and for healthy live plants that are genuinely hard to find anywhere else locally. The gear is well priced, too; one regular points out their sponge filters undercut competing shops. Still, the staff is the real draw.
Owner Blanton brings over 30 years of experience and will happily walk you through his favorite fish. Eli gets named again and again for patiently fielding both saltwater and freshwater questions, while Kendall and McKenna have coached first-timers through a month-long cycling process on a 10-gallon tank, advising them to hold off on algae eaters until the tank matured. On-site water testing, tank-setup help, and honest consultation round out every visit.
Prices run a touch above chain stores, but customers agree the healthy fish, thriving plants, and well-kept equipment available in Wilmington, NC are worth every penny.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Big Fish in Wilmington, NC
Big Fish stocks corals, cichlids, betta fish, plecos, tetras, rare and hard-to-find species, pufferfish, goldfish, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Wilmington, NC. As an aquarium store serving Wilmington, NC, it also carries aquarium equipment and fish food and offers water testing, aquarium setup and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsLive PlantsCichlidsBettasPlecosTetrasRare SpeciesAquarium EquipmentPuffersGoldfishInvertebratesFish Food
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Blanton brings 30+ years of experience; staff like Eli, Kendall, and McKenna are praised for patient, accurate guidance
- Exotic, hard-to-find livestock including Figure 8 puffers, honey gouramis, cichlids, plecos, and nerite snails
- Freshwater, saltwater, and pond fish plus corals, live plants, and reptiles under one roof
- Spotless, walk-through aquarium atmosphere with consistently healthy fish
- On-site water testing, tank-setup guidance, and competitively priced gear like sponge filters
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Staff was extremely helpful. Great experience!”
— Brassai Mustin5.0a week ago“They have a lot of exotic fishes that you don't normally see in your average fish store. They animals are well cared for and the tanks are clean.”
— Melissa Wilcox5.0a week ago“Nice assortment of fish and gear. Plenty of people willing to assist you.”
— Michael Gans5.02 weeks ago“First I want to say the staff is amazing there and always helpful and give actual accurate information Living in Southport means we don’t have many options for our aquarium needs. We are thankful to have Big fish though only 45mins away and is worth the drive every time. We purchased all of our Figure 8 puffers from them and they spent a lot of time helping me make sure I set the tank up properly. In addition to the shrimp tank and fresh community tank I have. I am setting up 4th tank currently and they are once again a big help as it will be another unique puffer fish and not something basic. Although I always quarantine fish anytime I get something regardless of the store but I will say I’ve never had any issue with fish from Big fish. They take really good care of their fish. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a passed away fish in any of the many mannny tanks. Which if you visit “stores I will not name” seeing passed away fish is very common unfortunately. So, long story short what they are doing works and they truly care for the animals in the store. They also have a nice selection on aquatic plants which is great as there’s no where else to find those to my knowledge without ordering. We love visiting big fish anytime we are in Wilmington even if just to look around because it almost feels like you’re at the Aquarium.”
— James Fosbury5.02 weeks ago“I love everything about Big Fish. I purchased an entire aquarium and all my fish here. They sell quality fresh fish The customers service is over the top. If you are a beginner like me you can rest assured you are buying a good investment with great help ensuring the quality of your tank. The price of fish vary but I firmly believe you get what you pay for. In my personal opinion this is a 10 star company! I know I can buy with 💯 confidence! Thank you Big Fish and your entire team!”
— Heather Sheehan5.03 weeks ago“I went as a prospective aquariumist to verify some of my research and clarify some points. I chose Big Fish based on the recommendation of Chatgpt, which described the store as well stocked and the staff as knowledgeable and patient with beginners. My encounter completely supported that assessment. I will almost certainly set up a home aquarium next week and Big Fish will be my source of equipment and advice”
— Martin Coady5.0a month ago“they have beautiful plants and fish that look all well cared for and informative staff. I started fish keeping this year and wanted some plants and now found a good local fish store.”
— Zemira simmons5.0a month ago“Blanton, the owner, took his time and showed us his favorite fish in the store. He has over 30 years of experience and you can tell he is knowledgeable. I can’t believe I didn’t know this place was here. Even just to browse is an experience.”
— Kay Thompson5.0a month ago“I've been coming to this store since they opened. Great atmosphere, wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fish. I find that their sponge filters are cheaper than competing stores, and I love to buy their plants for my tank! We have bought both of our goldfish from here and they are happy and healthy!”
— Hayden Guzman5.0a month ago“Buen servicio.”
— Alexander Hernández Ojeda5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (910) 769-4422 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Big Fish.