About
Tucked along the Ohio River in Belpre, Ohio, Belpre Aquarium & Pet Shop is the kind of family-owned store that inspires people to drive nearly two hours past multiple chain pet stores just to walk through the door. Owner Brian has built a loyal following over the years with a hands-on approach to fishkeeping—helping customers set up saltwater tanks from scratch, advising on species compatibility, and even testing customers' water when fish don't acclimate well. It's that level of personal investment that sets this shop apart.
The store stocks both freshwater and saltwater fish in impressive variety for its compact footprint. Saltwater hobbyists rave about the coral selection and competitive pricing, with some customers crediting the shop as the sole source for building entire reef setups. On the freshwater side, you'll find live plants, Blue Velvet Shrimp, guppies, N-class Black Bar Endlers, and what regulars describe as hard-to-find species that don't show up at big-box retailers.
The tanks are kept immaculately clean, and the livestock consistently gets high marks for health. Beyond fish, Belpre Aquarium doubles as a small animal destination—reptiles, birds, frogs, tarantulas, and terrariums line the shelves alongside aquarium supplies. One customer who couldn't get terrariums ordered through their local Athens pet store had them secured here with a single phone call.
Staff members like Ken are known for sharing their enthusiasm, particularly when it comes to planted tanks, walking newcomers through equipment and plant recommendations with genuine excitement. The shop also works directly with local breeders, purchasing fish and maintaining relationships that keep their inventory fresh and varied. Prices are consistently described as fair and reasonable, and the supply section is stocked well enough that most hobbyists can find what they need without ordering online.
For aquarists across the mid-Ohio Valley, this is the store that earns repeat visits through trust, clean tanks, and staff who remember your setup.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Brian provides hands-on guidance for saltwater tank setup and species compatibility
- Strong coral selection praised for quality and competitive pricing
- Carries hard-to-find species including Blue Velvet Shrimp and N-class Black Bar Endlers
- Immaculately maintained tanks with consistently healthy livestock
- Staff offers free water testing and personalized aquarium consultation
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Very helpful and knowledgeable”
— Virginia Rinehart5.02 days ago“We love going to Belpre Aquarium. We just started our second saltwater tank and are always grateful for the helpful and knowledgeable staff. Brian has helped us so much in avoiding common mistakes that beginners make and helped us with understanding species compatibility. He’s given us great advice along the way. Great store for fish lovers.”
— Sherry Taylor5.03 weeks ago“Amazing place and knowledgable staff!”
— Becky Adams5.04 weeks ago“Nice people”
— David Leek4.04 weeks ago“I drive an hour and 45 minutes and go past 4 chain store pet stores to go there. Great store, very helpful staff. 👍🏻”
— Chris Ashland5.02 months ago“Awesome service and supplies!!”
— William Bartges5.03 months ago“Cool place prices were good for the fish we Bought, guys working there was helpful and nice!”
— Tom Douglas5.03 months ago“I’ve been wanting to get into keeping aquatic plants. The two staff members were enthusiastic to share their knowledge and recommendations for what I need to be successful early. This was the second aquarium shop me and my partner visited that day. The staff made the difference for us. Thanks so much.”
— Fredric Martin5.04 months ago“Great pet store, lots of fish. The staff is wonderful i definitely recommend you vist this shop”
— anthony lewis5.0Edited 4 months ago“Friendly people and good variety of fish. Also plenty of food for our reptile friends.”
— Kenny Groves5.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (740) 423-9509 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Belpre Aquarium & Pet Shop.