About
Tucked into Hawley, Pennsylvania, Riverside Reef Aquatics LLC is a passion project run by owners Rob and Leslie that has built a loyal following among freshwater and saltwater hobbyists in the Poconos region. The store's calling card is immaculately maintained tanks — reviewers consistently describe them as crystal clear and pristine — stocked with vibrant, healthy fish that rotate frequently. Regulars report visiting multiple times a month and finding different species each trip, which speaks to a supply chain that keeps things interesting.
The saltwater section is a genuine draw. Corals, invertebrates, and reef fish are kept in excellent condition, and multiple reviewers specifically cite Riverside Reef as their go-to for reef needs. On the freshwater side, the store carries a solid selection of live plants — one devoted customer refuses to buy plants anywhere else — along with bettas, catfish, and a rotating variety of community and specialty fish.
Accessories and dry goods round out the inventory. Beyond retail, Rob offers hands-on tank services that set this shop apart from typical pet stores. He handles tank setups, including a 75-gallon build that one customer called outstanding, and provides regular maintenance visits with water changes and tank cleaning at what clients describe as extremely reasonable rates.
His willingness to spend time answering questions — even fielding curious kids' inquiries with patience — reflects the consultative approach that keeps people coming back. It's worth noting that a handful of reviewers have had sharply negative experiences with the staff's demeanor, describing interactions as rude or hostile. The majority of reviews, however, paint a picture of a knowledgeable, passionate shop where the owners genuinely care about the animals and their customers' success.
Competitive pricing comes up again and again, with several people noting Rob will actively try to save customers money, particularly on fish food. For aquarists in the Hawley and greater Pike County area, Riverside Reef Aquatics delivers variety, clean livestock, and real expertise — the kind of local fish store that makes the hobby more accessible and more fun.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Pristine saltwater section with healthy corals, invertebrates, and reef fish
- Constantly rotating freshwater and saltwater fish selection with new species regularly
- In-home tank maintenance and water change services at competitive rates
- Custom tank setup service including large builds like 75-gallon systems
- Popular live plant selection praised by dedicated repeat customers
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Very clean tanks, very healthy fish, nice passionate shop owner.”
— Angel5.0a week ago“Extremely knowledgeable, friendly and services are out of this world. The owner Rob takes such care with our tanks and fish, I love that he comes in and changes the water and clean the tank and is Extremely reasonably priced. Highly recommended!!!”
— Christine Caswell5.0a month ago“Tanks are beautiful, healthy fish, the fish i bought were priced very competitively.”
— Andrew Struble5.0a month ago“Great selection”
— Robert Bookin5.02 months ago“Beautiful store with well cared for fish. Reasonably priced items as well. Very knowledgeable. Thank you so much. I’ll be back.”
— Corina Carberry5.05 months ago“Absolutely incredible experience! The owner is extremely knowledgeable, offering insights that are hard to find anywhere else. The prices are unbeatable, and the customer service is top-notch—he even took the time to answer all of my kids’ questions and showed them some really cool things. Highly recommend to anyone looking for expertise, great deals, and a welcoming atmosphere!”
— christina alfrey5.05 months ago“Only fish store I go to my son loves Leslie which makes the trip there worth it! The tanks are always crystal clear and the owner is always so friendly. We love this”
— cayle ambrose5.05 months ago“The worst and place ever very rude.”
— Tammy Booth1.06 months ago“I have a painted turtle and live about 2 minutes from this business. I would never patronize any establishment that treats the community they're supposed to be serving (i.e. customers vital to small businesses) like they do. Go the 7 minutes to Fins and Feathers in Honesdale. Always pleasant, never hostile, very knowledgeable and I have no idea what their politics are. The hallmark of a thriving, successful, long-time small business.”
— Jennine Fluhr1.06 months ago“Unfriendly staff and overpriced.”
— Angelena Wilmot1.06 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (272) 336-0688 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Riverside Reef Aquatics LLC.