About
Ladyfish Aquatics is a family-run, Black- and women-owned shop in Dayton, OH, where owner Lori and her husband greet customers at the door and take real time with every question. Reviewers consistently call it one of the cleanest, most organized aquatic stores in the area — a compact storefront packed with immaculate, well-kept tanks of healthy, active livestock. Because the shop carries both freshwater and saltwater fish, locals have started calling it their new go-to aquarium store in Dayton.
The selection runs deep for a small store. Freshwater shoppers come for vibrant community fish, with rummy nose tetras, guppies, mollies, endlers, bettas, and cichlids for sale in Dayton, OH, plus axolotls that visitors adore (one lovingly called it an "oxylatl"). On the saltwater side, the store stocks marine fish and invertebrates — one happy customer drove home a thriving Dogface Pufferfish.
You will also find live plants, driftwood and hardscape rock, medications, dosing syringes, and quality fish food; one reviewer was sent home with a free sample of Thrive fish food and came back to buy more. What sets Ladyfish apart is the hands-on guidance. Lori tests customers' water on the spot, helps newcomers choose stock that fits their tank, and walks first-timers through cycling — one shopper using Stability on a new 40-gallon tank got patient help picking safe fish for her first cichlids.
Incoming livestock is quarantined before sale, a sign of genuine commitment to fish health over fast turnover. Prices sit a touch above the big-box stores, but regulars happily pay a little more for healthier fish and the chance to support a local small business. For Dayton-area aquarists who want a clean, personal fish store where the owners clearly love the hobby, Ladyfish Aquatics is the kind of place customers call their new favorite and keep coming back to.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Ladyfish Aquatics in Dayton, OH
Ladyfish Aquatics stocks betta fish, cichlids, tetras, livebearers, axolotls, pufferfish, goldfish, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Dayton, OH. As an aquarium store serving Dayton, OH, it also carries fish medications, fish food and dry goods and offers fish quarantine, aquarium consultations, water testing and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- BettasCichlidsTetrasLivebearersAxolotlsPuffersGoldfishInvertebratesLive PlantsMedicationsFish FoodDry Goods
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run, Black- and women-owned shop led by owner Lori and her husband
- Among the cleanest, most organized aquarium tanks in the Dayton area
- Freshwater and saltwater livestock — rummy nose tetras, cichlids, bettas, axolotls, and a Dogface Pufferfish
- On-the-spot water testing and patient setup guidance for new tanks
- Quarantines incoming livestock before sale
From keepers
Customer reviews
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – Nothing Less! I would give more stars if I could! I purchased my 40-gallon aquarium about a week ago and have been using Stability to get everything cycled and ready for new fish. I stopped in looking for some vibrant freshwater fish, and I definitely found exactly what I was looking for. I can’t remember her name, but I believe she may be the owner. She was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and patient while helping me get started. She took the time to answer my questions, guide me through selecting the right fish, and even tested my water to make sure the parameters were safe and appropriate for my new cichlids. Her willingness to go above and beyond made me feel confident and excited about starting this new aquarium. Thank you so much for all of your help and for providing such outstanding customer service. It’s clear that you genuinely care about both your customers and the animals you sell. I look forward to working with these wonderful ladies in the future and will definitely be back! ❤️🐠✨”
— Tiffany Aaron5.03 weeks ago“Friendly helpful owners. Super clean tanks with healthy fish and plants. Found our go to aquarium store.”
— Timothy Reboulet5.03 weeks ago“Very well kept, fish all were very healthy, and the owner is very r y nice.”
— Mark Watson5.04 weeks ago“Very sweet and kind people. Super knowledgeable and happy to talk with us about our tanks and goals”
— emma M5.0a month ago“Super friendly staff knowledgeable and took the time to help me make the purchase that best suited me”
— Oaklee Pitcher5.0a month ago“Excellence service ! The owners are very friendly and helpful. The are truly appreciative of your patronage. Tanks are in exquisite shape. We've finally found a fish store that appreciates us for coming in !!”
— Mickey Damron (MicksterD)5.0a month ago“This is a nice, clean little shop with a knowledgeable owner! Definitely check it out if you're starting a new tank or want to add to a tank.”
— Tia Johnson5.0a month ago“i’ve been in here twice now to purchase rummy nose tetras and they have all lived and are very healthy. my first time here they gave me a free sample of Thrive Fish Food and my fish loved it so i bought more during my second trip. the staff is super friendly, helpful, and informative. there was a younger girl working the second time i came in and she was so sweet ❤️ i will say, it’s a little more expensive than other fish stores i’ve been to but the quality of fish seems better and i don’t mind the extra couple bucks to support a local black & women owned business. i definitely recommend checking them out!”
— MaKayla Miller5.0a month ago“Loved meeting the lady that works there. She helped me learn more about bettas and her fish & business are well taken care of♡”
— Rachel R5.02 months ago“Found the place on my drive home at random and I’m so glad I did ! New favorite place to get all my aquarium needs!! And the variety of fish is top tier!!! Owner is very friendly and welcoming! Highly recommend!”
— Alyssa Harris5.0Edited 2 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (937) 890-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Ladyfish Aquatics.