About
Operating out of Varnville, South Carolina, Ron's Cichlids is a family-run, internet-based fish dealer that has built a devoted following among African cichlid keepers across the country. Run by Ron and his son Hunter, the business specializes almost exclusively in high-quality Mbuna and other African cichlid species — including harder-to-find varieties like Yellow Blaze Zrocks, Pheno Star Sapphires, and Msobo Deep Magunga that hobbyists struggle to source elsewhere. What sets Ron's apart starts with the fish themselves.
Reviewers consistently praise the vivid coloration, robust health, and generous sizing of their cichlids upon arrival. The shipping operation is meticulous: fish arrive in styrofoam coolers inside clearly labeled boxes, individually double-bagged with what customers describe as far more water than the industry norm. Each order ships with a coupon, a detailed care information sheet, and a sample of Ron's house-brand cichlid food — a thoughtful touch that has converted many first-time buyers into repeat customers.
That food deserves its own mention. Ron's Cichlids produces their own line of cichlid food with different pellet sizes that sink cleanly without clouding the water. Multiple long-term customers report noticeable improvements in growth rate, color vibrancy, and overall fish health after switching.
For many buyers, the food alone is reason enough to keep coming back. The operation runs primarily through their website and social media, where Ron and Hunter post videos of new shipments as they arrive. Local customers in the Varnville area can arrange pickup, and those who have done so note the fish are packaged with the same care as shipped orders.
Communication is responsive and knowledgeable — Ron fields questions about substrates, food, and species compatibility with the confidence of someone deeply immersed in the hobby. A note for new customers: Ron's recommends next-day air shipping to minimize fish stress, and while some balk at the cost, experienced buyers insist it's worth it for the quality of livestock you're receiving. This is a specialty dealer that takes the health of their animals seriously at every stage.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-operated specialist in African cichlids including rare Mbuna varieties
- House-brand cichlid food praised for boosting growth and color vibrancy
- Exceptional shipping with double-bagged fish, styrofoam coolers, and generous water volume
- Each order includes care sheet, coupon, and food sample
- Hard-to-find species like Yellow Blaze Zrock and Pheno Star Sapphire regularly stocked
From keepers
Customer reviews
“This company is AMAZING! We have done a few orders from them with TONS of questions in between. They are always kind and very responsive. Their customer service has been beyond anything we have recieved elsewhere on our cichlid journey. For anyone looking for a good company to support look no further. No detail has been missed with any of our orders and we definitely will have more in the future.”
— angelacarrie5.0a month ago“I ordered a few Mbuna Cichlids from Ron’s fish store . They were delivered Fast and Healthy and large Cichlids Ron strives to make sure that your order will arrive alive and Healthy order you will be refunded or receive New Fish for the your loss of your Pets 👌🏽👨🏽🦳”
— Marc A. Moore5.02 months ago“All of the fish I’ve purchased from Ron’s have been absolutely beautiful and top quality! Their cichlid food is incredible great ingredients .Customer service is outstanding as well. Highly recommend Ron’s for anyone serious about quality fish and nutrition!”
— Konrad Wszolczyk-Lipka5.02 months ago“Best fish I've ever received with the best quality and best colors! Always a pleasure doing business with these guys!”
— Andre Araujo Vlogs5.03 months ago“Very knowledgeable and their food is a must have. Definitely seen the difference with in the year since my wife and I started using it. Thanks Ron and Hunter.”
— Nick Pringle4.03 months ago“Would consider myself a long term customer over the years, but been some months since I decided to part ways with Ron's. They unload fish vids about their new shipments and allow them to sell out in an unorganized fashion. Sometimes they show fish before they even have a link up for them, then pick and choose who can reserve them privately before a normal customer can buy off site. The whole proscess needs to be revamped. I messaged them about one of the fish as the video was posted (you have to be fast unfortunately). And mentioned I was interested in buying a specific fish in the video. I was told yes its available but was just being put up on site. I finally went to check out & the site said it was sold out. I messaged back and was told someone else showed interest during the checkout. But if I would've said I wanted him for sure it would have been held. A bunch of confusion, when I simply was going to check out. Things like this for long time customers can be frustrating. Over the last several months, I have just chose to spend my money elsewhere. Where I KNOW I can get whats being posted minus the confusion. Ron's quality has been great, their process not so great. I was told there is nothing they were willing to do, even tho I clearly reached out and attempted to buy the fish first. Believe it or not there ARE a few other companies out here that can match the quality for sure. I have not been disappointed or missed out moving on. Good luck to you, BUT customers are the reason these places exist, and there is nothing wrong with voting with your wallet if you don't feel valued.”
— Big Dee1.04 months ago“Great place to get food. I haven't ordered any fish from him yet but I will be very soon. Highly recommend 👌🏾”
— William Taylor5.04 months ago“Fish are beautiful and arrived crazy fast! Communication was above and beyond. Thank y’all.”
— Texas SWAMPY5.05 months ago“Excellence!!!!! I have kept African Cichlids for a while now but I had never ordered from Ron’s. I have been looking for a Yellow Blaze Zrock and a Pheno Star Sapphire but everyone is always sold out. I ran across Rons and found both of them in the sizes I wanted. I immediately ordered. They shipped the next day and I got them the following day. My fish arrived on time. 1st class shipping! 1st class packaging! My fish arrived in a cardboard box that had bright colored stickers all over it clearly displaying that these are live fish. I opened the box to find an enclosed styrofoam cooler that was sealed with tape. Both of my fish were in separate large double bagged plastic bags with way more water than I am used to getting with my delivery fish. I really liked that the fish were sent with a lot of water in the bags. No joke there was probably 10 times more water in the bags than I’m used to getting with fish that are delivered. I love it. The fish honestly did not even seem stressed which I love because we all know stress is the Silent monster in this hobby. I acclimated my fish, opened the bags and introduced to new gorgeous fish into my 125 gallon African Cichlid tank! Also as a bonus, Ron shipped a coupon, A detailed information sheet, which would be great for someone who is new to the hobby as well as a sample size of Ron’s Cichlid food, which my fish absolutely love. I had recently been trying a few of their foods and the food is excellent quality as well. Different sized pellets that sink and do not cause any cloudiness or odor in the tank. My fish eat it up! My new fish have been in the tank now for about eight hours, and they are eating, thriving and fitting right in! Ron, you guys rock! Thank you so much for the level of excellence that you guys bring to this amazing hobby! May the Lord bless you and keep you and your business. Thank you!!”
— Taylor Hawsey5.05 months ago“Ron and his son a hunter are the only place I buy my mbuna from. They have the best African cichlids you can buy. They have rare fish you can’t get anywhere . I currently have 14 of their mbuna and they are incredible. Not only do I highly recommend them it’s the only place to buy Africans from . This family is very passionate about what they do. You will not find better Africans and you will not find better customer service! On a side note you feexposters bitching about the shipping Ron knows what he is doing. You are getting a premium fish — Don’t skimp on shipping . You do one day air and suck it up. I’ll get off my soap box now lol”
— Jerry J5.06 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (561) 436-1133 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Ron's Cichlids.