About
Tucked into Varnville, South Carolina, Ron's Cichlids is a family-run fish store that has earned a national reputation among African cichlid keepers, and the hobbyists who make the trip to visit in person come away just as impressed as the fish themselves. Run by Ron and his son Hunter, this is a true specialist operation built around vivid, robustly healthy Mbuna and other African cichlids, including hard-to-find varieties like Yellow Blaze Zrock, Pheno Star Sapphire, and Msobo Deep Magunga that keepers struggle to source elsewhere. Customers who arrange a local pickup describe a facility that genuinely sets the bar.
One visitor who scheduled an in-person pickup for new Mbuna called it the cleanest facility he had ever seen, praising the organization and the whole process, and noting that within minutes of meeting Ron and Hunter he felt like he had known them for years. That warmth comes up again and again. This is a father-and-son team that takes the time to answer questions about substrate, food, and species compatibility, whether you are tracking down a specific rare cichlid or just getting started in the hobby.
The fish are the headline. Reviewers consistently rave about the high-expression colors, great temperaments, and generous sizing of the cichlids for sale in Varnville, SC. If you have been searching for premium African cichlids near me, this is a name that comes up over and over in the community, with people happy with the quality every single time.
Then there is the food. Ron's produces its own line of cichlid food in different pellet sizes that sink cleanly without clouding the water, and long-term keepers report real improvements in growth rate and color after switching. Plenty of customers come for the food and stay for the fish.
Honest, knowledgeable, and deeply immersed in the hobby, Ron and Hunter run the kind of cichlid-focused fish store that keeps African cichlid enthusiasts coming back for years.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Ron's Cichlids in Varnville, SC
Ron's Cichlids stocks African cichlids, cichlids, rare and hard-to-find species and freshwater fish for sale in Varnville, SC. As a fish store serving Varnville, SC, it also carries fish food and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run father-and-son operation (Ron and Hunter) specializing in African cichlids and rare Mbuna
- In-person pickups at a Varnville facility customers call the cleanest they have ever seen
- Hard-to-find species like Yellow Blaze Zrock, Pheno Star Sapphire, and Msobo Deep Magunga
- House-brand cichlid food praised for boosting growth rate and color vibrancy
- Known for high-expression colors, great temperaments, and generously sized, healthy fish
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I appreciate the extra packaging, his communication was so on point, I love the fish!!! the pictures do not do them justice. I was just blown away by this and I will be a returning customer. And if you haven't tried his brand of cichlid food, man your fish are missing out big time. I have 7 tanks of African cichlids n they LOVE IT! Thank you again Ron n your team! Be ordering again from you soon!”
— Raul Gomez Jr5.0a week ago“Ron & Hunter great customer service easy communication they have Great quality fish and prices to match the quality your getting if I could give more than 5 stars I would I'll be a returning customer”
— Harsh's Cleaning Services LLC5.02 weeks ago“The fish arrived healthy and came with detailed instructions on how to properly accumulate them. I followed the directions and my fish are happy and healthy! Will definitely be ordering again! Thanks Again, Ron & Hunter”
— kris burt5.0Edited 2 weeks ago“This team has the most beautiful cichlids available. I have made several purchases and I am more than happy with each delivery. Quality fish from a quality company!”
— Michael Faretta5.04 weeks ago“Healthy, beautiful fish!”
— Sherry5.02 months ago“I really can’t praise this place enough. I scheduled an in person pickup for some new mbuna cichlids, my first time ever buying from Ron. When I tell you it was the CLEANEST facility I have ever seen, I can’t emphasize that enough. The organization and process was impeccable. Within a few minutes of meeting Ron and Hunter, I felt like we were best friends. Extremely friendly, helpful and professional. The quality of my fish are top tier, they are absolutely stunning. High expression colors, great temperaments. I will definitely be a return customer for years to come and I highly recommend everyone check out these guys inventory. 100/10.”
— Thomas Devita5.02 months ago“Very good people with quality fish”
— Johnny Miles5.03 months ago“Absolutely 💯 the best in the industry. Ron and Hunter have been nothing but the best to deal with. We are new in the hobby and they are more than willing to give you their time to answer all and any questions. Very honest with exceptional quality.”
— James Newsome5.03 months ago“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
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.