About
Woofs and Waves in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has carved out a loyal following as the city's go-to independent shop for freshwater and saltwater fish, aquarium supplies, and pet food. Walk in and you'll find rows of well-stocked aquariums organized by compatible species — a thoughtful touch that helps customers visualize community tank builds. The saltwater section draws particular praise, with staff members like Mark and Austin singled out for their deep reef-keeping expertise.
On the freshwater side, the store stocks everything from panda corydoras and kuhli loaches to pea puffers and axolotls, plus live plants at prices reviewers call very reasonable. The shop functions as a true one-stop destination for pet owners, carrying dog and cat food alongside aquarium gear and livestock. A rewards program sweetens repeat visits, and the staff has a reputation for remembering faces and going the extra mile — whether that means analyzing dog food ingredient lists for allergy-prone pups or walking someone through a sick-fish diagnosis.
Multiple reviewers mention seeking out Woofs and Waves specifically because the aquarium knowledge here outstrips what the big-box chains can offer. The store also sells pre-mixed saltwater for hobbyists doing water changes, though at least one nano reef keeper has raised concerns about water quality and sourcing. And while the vast majority of fish purchases go smoothly, a handful of customers have reported livestock health issues, particularly with sensitive species like kuhli loaches and corydoras.
The store has shown willingness to make things right — the owner once replaced a fish that succumbed to a known scaleless-fish illness well after purchase. What keeps people coming back is the combination of variety, accessibility, and genuine enthusiasm. Customers regularly describe the atmosphere as welcoming and unhurried, with staff happy to answer even the most basic questions without judgment.
For Sioux Falls aquarists tired of limited chain-store options, this locally owned shop delivers a curated selection of livestock, plants, and supplies backed by people who clearly care about the hobby.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- BettasAxolotlsPuffersLive PlantsInvertebrates
- Services
- ConsultationWater Testing
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterSaltwater
Highlights
What makes them special
- Strong freshwater and saltwater fish selection organized by compatible species
- Stocks harder-to-find species like pea puffers and axolotls
- Live aquatic plants at competitive prices
- Staff members Mark and Austin known for deep saltwater expertise
- Rewards program for repeat customers
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Top quality pets and products with knowledgeable, happy staff.”
— Todd Watson5.0Edited a day ago“Went in trying to find a dog food for my dog that is allergic to a lot. They helped me looking at all her allergies and the ingredients in the food to find the best one for her. They where very helpful. Really appreciated the help and knowledge as I was so lost with all the different ingredients in food”
— Kayla Meyer5.02 weeks ago“Lot of fish, accessories and supplies. Little bit on the pricey side, but good quality.”
— John Brandsma4.02 weeks ago“Highly disappointed in the fish I buy from here as of recently all the Kuhlis I buy from them die within a month or weeks out of my surviving population non are from woofs and waves and i test my water regularly and it shows no signs of anything wrong I quarantine the fish yet they still had issues causing issue for my preexisting population! Then last week I bought 4 panda corydoras and within not even having them in my tank one showed swim bladder issue and this other one within 48 hours both eyes are cloudy and one pops out and I tested my water no possibility it’s from dirty water it’s insane how much medicine I have to buy for these fish I get from woofs hight disappointed and they offer no grantee one Kuhli loach I got had a seizure 20 minutes after getting him home and started acclimating and his head very red due to them being placed on rocks in show tank and manhandled trying to catch the fish leading to my Kuhlis death too this place is the only place I’ve ever had issues with fish * update the corydora passed away even after treatment if you guys don’t treat fish when importing them atleast advertise you sell sick fish”
— Catherine h1.0a month ago“Very friendly”
— Justin Boggs5.0a month ago“Loved it here and there are axolotl but last time I was here there was a fish eating another one it was very gross”
— Jack Billeter4.0Edited 3 months ago“Picked up some pre mixed saltwater. I am pretty sure they pulled it straight out of a display tank. Water was not clear, had debris, and smelled like dirty tank water. Poured that right down the drain. Should have gotten a photo. Edit: Strands of algae were in the water. The purpose of a water change is to remove nutrients/pollutants from the water. The water you are selling is more than likely full of nutrients if it’s always in the “appropriate ranges.” Additionally, I would rather not introduce the pests from your aquarium to mine. Not to mention the smell… ever heard of activated carbon? Selling reused tank water for +$1.00 per gallon is actually, absurd. Poor business! It’s crazy you don’t have 100+ gallons of premixed saltwater in case of an emergency with all the livestock you have. I guess I’ll just invest in my own RO/DI for tiny water change in my nano, lol.”
— Andrew josko1.0Edited 5 months ago“Good selection of both fresh and salt water fish. Plus tanks, supplys, supplements and plenty of other pet stuff”
— Justin Pfaff5.06 months ago“Customer Service was great, and the variety of fish was wide. I also appreciated the way the store is set up, putting fish that can go together in different sections. While watching the fish, I found several dead fish at the bottom of the tanks, not gonna lie, I found this a little unsettling.”
— Caydie Serrano4.07 months ago“Friendly service, has what I need and carry it out for me.”
— Karen Mac5.07 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (605) 274-9663 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Woofs and Waves - Pet & Aquarium Supplies.