Tucked away in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Dave's Corals is a compact saltwater shop that punches well above its weight. The store may be small in square footage, but its tanks are meticulously maintained and packed with an impressive variety of corals — torches, acans, hammers, duncans, and more — all kept in pristine condition. Multiple reviewers single out the torch corals as particularly spectacular, and the shop has built a reputation for sourcing rare corals for customers who are hunting for specific pieces.
What makes Dave's Corals stand out in the reef community is the level of care that goes into every transaction. Staff members Enam and Derrian are known for their hands-on approach: they'll test your water parameters before selling you a coral, walk you through dosing and PAR levels, advise on placement, and even refuse to sell a piece if they spot any health concerns. One customer credits the shop with completely turning around their coral-keeping success after previous struggles. That kind of integrity — prioritizing livestock health over a quick sale — is rare in the hobby.
Beyond corals, Dave's carries a solid and growing selection of saltwater fish and invertebrates, all sourced from top-rate suppliers. Reviewers consistently note that the livestock arrives healthy with minimal acclimation issues. The shop also stocks a curated lineup of reef-related products, focused on what reef keepers actually need rather than cluttering shelves with unnecessary inventory.
Pricing is a recurring theme in the reviews — customers describe it as competitive, fair, and sometimes unbelievably good. Combined with genuine after-sale support and a willingness to educate newcomers to the saltwater hobby, Dave's Corals has quickly become a go-to destination for reef enthusiasts across the region. The shop's social media channels showcase their latest arrivals and are worth following for anyone building or maintaining a reef tank.
Tucked into Bristol, Rhode Island, Little Rivers Aquatics is a compact freshwater shop run by Paul and Jacob that punches well above its size. The store may be small in footprint, but the care on display is immediately obvious — bettas are housed in proper 5-gallon tanks rather than the sad cups you'll find at chain stores, and reviewers consistently note that every tank is clean and every fish looks healthy.
Cichlids are a clear strength here. Multiple customers rave about the colorful selection, with one show-tank enthusiast specifically praising the quality of cichlid stock they received. Beyond cichlids, you'll find bristlenose plecos, bettas, and what reviewers describe as "unusual species" — the kind of interesting freshwater livestock that rewards a visit over a click.
What truly defines Little Rivers Aquatics is the personal touch. Paul is the kind of owner who will sit with a first-time fishkeeper, walk them through everything they need for a low-maintenance family tank, and make sure they leave with the right organisms for their setup. When one family brought their two children in after work, Paul and Jacob helped them build a beginner tank from scratch, turning it into an educational experience. That willingness to spend time — not just ring up a sale — is a recurring theme across nearly every review.
If they don't have a specific fish in stock, Paul and Jacob will order it for you. This custom-ordering capability means you're not limited to whatever's swimming in the tanks on a given day; they'll source specialty items and specific species on request. Several customers mention this as a major draw, especially compared to chain pet stores that can never seem to stock what you're actually looking for.
For freshwater fishkeepers in the Bristol area, Little Rivers Aquatics offers healthy livestock, honest guidance, and the kind of old-school shop experience where the owner knows your tank almost as well as you do.
OSA Aquarium Superstore & Services in Coventry, Rhode Island is a large-format aquarium shop that stocks both freshwater and saltwater livestock alongside a substantial dry goods and equipment inventory. The store's layout is clean and organized, making it easy to browse row after row of tanks spanning cichlids, corals, discus, pufferfish, and more.
The freshwater side is where OSA really shines. Multiple reviewers single out the cichlid selection — particularly African cichlids — as a standout. One longtime discus keeper recounted how staffer James walked her through the transition to African cichlids with such thorough knowledge of water quality, diet, and compatibility that the switch felt effortless. That kind of hands-on guidance, where staff explain the reasoning behind every recommendation rather than simply pushing product, is a recurring theme in positive reviews. Another staffer, Fletcher, earned praise for patiently helping a couple set up their very first freshwater tank from scratch.
The saltwater coral selection draws attention too, with reviewers noting an excellent variety, though some experienced reefers have flagged concerns about pricing and occasional pest issues like bubble algae and aiptasia on coral frags. Live rock availability and saltwater livestock overall seem more limited compared to the freshwater offerings.
On the retail side, OSA carries a wide range of aquariums, equipment, accessories, and live plants — essentially a one-stop shop for tank builds. Pricing is a polarizing topic; several reviewers feel markups run significantly above market rate on both livestock and equipment, while others consider the quality and service worth the premium.
The store operates best when its knowledgeable staff are engaged, and experiences can vary depending on who's working the floor. When you connect with someone like James or Fletcher, the consultation-level expertise elevates the visit well beyond a typical pet store run. For freshwater hobbyists in Rhode Island — especially those drawn to cichlids or looking to set up a new tank with real guidance — OSA Aquarium Superstore is a substantial destination worth the drive to Coventry.
Walking into Something Fishy in Warwick, Rhode Island, you're immediately struck by the immaculate showroom — part aquarium gallery, part event space, with couches, high-tops, and a bar area surrounded by stunning saltwater and freshwater displays. It's a place where families have gathered to celebrate loved ones, businesses have held annual meetings, and aquarium enthusiasts have fallen in love with their next build.
Led by Kurt and a crew that includes Billy, Hunter, Nate, and Zach, Something Fishy specializes in custom aquarium design, installation, and ongoing maintenance for both residential and commercial clients. Their work ranges from large-scale saltwater reef systems with swaying corals and vibrant fish to freshwater setups, and they handle everything from initial consultation through weekly service visits. One customer described their team installing a Waterbox 6025, programming a Neptune Apex controller, syncing all components, and delivering a thorough orientation before beginning regular maintenance — the kind of white-glove treatment that defines this operation.
The maintenance side is equally impressive. Nate arrives with mats carefully laid out, buckets organized, and leaves behind meticulous log book entries documenting every detail of each service. He even drops off Swedish Fish and a fish joke after every visit — a small touch that speaks to the company's personality. Another client praised Billy and Hunter for expertly relocating an entire tank between residences, upgrading plumbing and making small but critical improvements along the way.
Multiple customers highlight how their home aquariums have become the centerpiece of daily life — coral and fish transforming kitchens, living rooms becoming gathering spots, offices brightened by starfish and carefully maintained tanks. The consistent thread across reviews is meticulous craftsmanship, flawless system performance, and a team that genuinely loves what they do. For anyone in Rhode Island considering a custom aquarium installation or professional tank maintenance, Something Fishy delivers an experience that extends well beyond the glass.
Tucked into an unassuming corner of North Providence, Rhode Island, Sea Creature Aquarium is the kind of independently owned fish shop that runs on one person's deep passion for the hobby. That person is John (Johnny to regulars), the owner who has built a loyal following through honest pricing, clean tanks, and a willingness to track down whatever fish a customer needs — even if it's not currently on his racks.
The store leans heavily into saltwater, with a strong coral selection and saltwater fish that reviewers consistently praise for going beyond the typical chain-store staples. John's saltwater expertise is evident in his tank maintenance and the health of his livestock. Customers note that his coral and fish survive and thrive after purchase, a testament to proper quarantine and care practices. He also sells RODI water, though quality may vary.
Freshwater gets representation too, with tanks stocked with goldfish — including panda goldfish — frogs, and rotating weekly arrivals. John receives new shipments of both fresh and saltwater fish every Wednesday, making Thursdays the prime day to visit for the widest selection. By Friday, popular picks are already spoken for.
What sets Sea Creature apart from big-box competitors is John's consultative approach. He's the kind of owner who will field endless questions about tank setups, walk you through coral care, and genuinely invest in the success of your aquarium. Multiple reviewers describe him as the most knowledgeable fish person in Rhode Island, and his pricing is frequently cited as the fairest in the state.
The shop is small, and it does house other animals beyond fish — birds and puppies have drawn mixed reactions from visitors, with some raising concerns about conditions. But for aquarium hobbyists specifically, the livestock quality and John's hands-on guidance make this North Providence shop worth the trip. If he doesn't have what you're looking for on the shelf, give him a week — he'll try to get it in.
Fish Bowl Aquarium & Pet Mart in West Warwick, Rhode Island occupies a distinctive niche as a full-service pet store with a heavy emphasis on aquatic life. The store maintains a large fish room with a substantial number of tanks, and multiple reviewers point to the sheer variety of fish available as its strongest draw. Customers have purchased freshwater staples like mollies, angelfish, and goldfish, and the store stocks what several shoppers describe as "full size" tropical fish — a draw for hobbyists who want mature specimens rather than tiny juveniles. Saltwater tanks are also part of the inventory, with live rock and corals on display.
Beyond fish, Fish Bowl carries a broad range of aquarium supplies, tanks, and accessories, positioning itself as a one-stop shop for Rhode Island fishkeepers. The store also maintains a reptile section with bearded dragons, geckos, and associated supplies, and staff have been praised for helping customers find the right food and gear for their reptiles.
The store offers water testing, and at least one reviewer noted that staff required tank water testing before selling certain fish — a practice that, while occasionally frustrating to customers, suggests some gatekeeping around fish compatibility and welfare. Long-time customers speak highly of the owner's straightforward approach and describe staff members like Kayla as quick and helpful.
That said, Fish Bowl is a polarizing shop. A significant number of reviews raise concerns about tank cleanliness, fish health, and the store's practice of selling puppies in small glass enclosures. The owner's confrontational responses to negative reviews have also drawn attention. Prospective customers should be aware that experiences vary widely.
For West Warwick fishkeepers who value a local alternative to big-box pet chains, Fish Bowl offers a selection of freshwater and saltwater fish that's hard to match in the area, along with the supplies to support a 55-gallon community tank or a new bearded dragon setup. Staff knowledge and attentiveness appear to depend on who's working that day, so it's worth visiting during a slower time to get more personalized help.
