About
Gerber's Tropical Fish sits in an unassuming building on the edge of Dayton, OH, but walk through the door and you'll find one of the largest fish selections in the region — an entire room devoted to freshwater and a second room dedicated to saltwater. Regulars describe it as part store, part mini-aquarium, the kind of place families wander for an hour just to look. Row after row of tanks hold Galaxy Rasboras, Harlequin Rasboras, Bristlenose plecos, fancy goldfish like ranchus, orandas, and ryukins, cichlids such as a standout Turquoise Severum, and a deep saltwater lineup of clown triggers, lionfish, groupers, and marine invertebrates.
If you're hunting a specific species for sale in Dayton, OH, the staff will special-order fish they don't have on the floor — more than one reviewer mentions asking for something obscure and getting a call when it arrived. As an aquarium store, Gerber's leans on its people. Owner John and a rotating crew of knowledgeable staff field compatibility and stocking questions on the spot, and longtime customers single out how patient the team is with first-time tank builders.
The shop carries new and used tanks, driftwood, decor, live plants, shrimp, and a full wall of supplies, and even mixes its own flake food in-house — a detail regulars swear by. Water testing is available before you stock a tank. It's an honest place to set expectations: with this many tanks running, it's worth inspecting livestock and asking questions before you buy, and the store's no-guarantee livestock policy is good to understand up front.
But for sheer variety under one roof, searching "fish store near me" in southwest Ohio rarely turns up anything that competes. When it clicks here — healthy stock, fair prices, and a hard-to-find fish finally bagged for your tank — Gerber's is tough to beat.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Gerber's Tropical Fish in Dayton, OH
Gerber's Tropical Fish stocks corals, reef fish, cichlids, betta fish, goldfish, plecos, catfish, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Dayton, OH. As an aquarium store serving Dayton, OH, it also carries fish food, dry goods and aquarium equipment and offers water testing and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefCichlidsBettasGoldfishLive PlantsPlecosCatfishInvertebratesShrimpLivebearersFish FoodDry GoodsAquarium Equipment
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Two dedicated rooms — one freshwater, one saltwater — among the largest fish selections in the Dayton area
- Carries hard-to-find stock like Galaxy and Harlequin Rasboras, Bristlenose plecos, fancy goldfish (ranchus, orandas, ryukins), and a Turquoise Severum
- Deep saltwater lineup including clown triggers, lionfish, groupers, and marine invertebrates
- Will special-order fish not on the floor, and mixes its own flake food in-house
- Knowledgeable staff and owner John help with compatibility and stocking questions; water testing available
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Lot's of stuff and fish, both fresh and salt water fish. Beautiful fish”
— Rebecca Williams4.0a week ago“Found a place that is a warehouse for my pond and fish 🐟🐠 needs alot of other aquatic tools and equipment and amphibious creatures great variety of fresh and salt water products I definitely highly recommend you stop by today and get some fresh fish and supplies.”
— Michael Allen5.02 weeks ago“The healthiest and biggest selection of fish and equipment in the Dayton area. Great prices too! The staff is very knowledgeable. The owner John provides great education on compatability and care.”
— Joshua D5.02 weeks ago“Sells snakes with mites”
— Cam Ha1.02 weeks ago“Had a really good experience at Gerber's. The people was very helpful and patient.”
— Doug Oryl5.02 weeks ago“While they had a wide selection of fish, I have NEVER seen fish in such conditions. Literally every single freshwater fish tank was filled with ick covered fish, with a lot of the tanks housing dead, or nearly dead, fish. The fish that are sold at grocery stores are in better shape than the ones at this establishment. Buy with caution, as you will 100% have to treat and quarantine any fish bought here for 1-2 weeks, if they even live that long.”
— Amber Coln1.02 weeks ago“Always a great experience coming into Gerber's. Knowledge staff who are friendly and willing to help.”
— Shadow Highfield5.03 weeks ago“It have everything you need and of they did not have it if you ask them to get you what you want they will get it”
— Terry Caulley5.03 weeks ago“Best place to get all aquatic pets plants”
— Travis Call5.0a month ago“Cool place with a lot of cool fish and plants to look at”
— emma M5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (937) 297-0515 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Gerber's Tropical Fish.