Rift Lake Aquatics

Tucked into a block of buildings on Engle Road in Middleburg Heights, just outside Cleveland, Rift Lake Aquatics is owner Jim's one-man operation — a compact, densely packed aquarium supply shop that punches well above its weight class. The store's name tips its hand: African cichlids are the star attraction, with peacocks and other varieties ranging from 2-inch juveniles to full-grown adult males on display in the back fish room. Jim also stocks plecos — including gold nugget plecos — catfish, and severums, though the livestock selection has apparently scaled back at times, with the store leaning more heavily into dry goods in recent years.

And what a dry goods selection it is. Nearly every review mentions the pricing, and for good reason: customers routinely find equipment, food, and medications cheaper here than at chain pet stores or even Amazon. One reviewer picked up a Tetra air pump for under $15 when it was listed at over $20 online.

Nano cubes, tank décor, fish food, and accessories fill every available surface. The store is small and admittedly cluttered — Jim himself would probably agree — but regular customers treat the density as a feature, not a bug, describing the experience of discovering new products around every corner. Jim's knowledge is the store's real engine.

He walks customers through cichlid tank hierarchy, advises on compatible tankmates, and recommends strategies like adding new fish in the evening when lights are low. If something isn't in stock, he'll order it. He also ships orders and handles online pickup, extending his reach beyond the Cleveland area to hobbyists across Northeast Ohio.

The hours can be unpredictable — multiple reviewers have arrived to find the door locked during posted business hours — so calling ahead is strongly recommended. But for freshwater enthusiasts in the Cleveland area, especially those keeping African cichlids, Rift Lake Aquatics delivers expertise and value that big-box retailers simply can't match. Just watch your step navigating the aisles.