About
For more than two decades, The Aquatic Den has been the fish store Cleveland, TN hobbyists name first—a small, owner-run shop that locals in "CleVegas" treat as their default stop for anything aquatic or scaly. Owner Eric, known for being honest and genuinely knowledgeable, anchors a tight-knit crew that regulars mention by name; Madison is a go-to for tank and pond questions, and staff like Jill are quick to walk newcomers through their options without rushing them. Because the shop carries both freshwater and saltwater livestock, it functions as a full aquarium store rather than a big-box pet aisle.
On the freshwater side you'll find healthy tropical fish for sale in Cleveland, TN—tetras, oddballs, and harder-to-find species like rope fish and "dinosaur" fish that customers say have thrived for years in their tanks. Reef and marine keepers point to the saltwater section and a nice selection of well-seasoned live rock, while pond owners come for pond fish and aquatic plants picked out with hands-on help. Live plants, snails, and aquarium invertebrates round out the displays.
Beyond livestock, the store stocks the practical gear a tank needs: filters, pumps, driftwood, aquarium decor, fish food, water-care products, and dry goods—generally priced a dollar or two above the chains, but backed by advice worth the difference. If something isn't in the tanks, the team will often track down a specific fish you're after. The reptile and exotics side is just as busy, with snakes, bearded dragons, tarantulas, scorpions, and frogs, plus affordable feeder crickets, fuzzies, and live feeder rats that undercut the big-box pet stores.
Families love it here: staff let kids feed the fish and turtles, hold a snake, and even meet an iguana, turning a quick supply run into a real outing. Clean tanks, healthy fish, and genuine local knowledge are what keep Cleveland aquarists coming back. Stop in and shop local.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Aquatic Den in Cleveland, TN
The Aquatic Den stocks tetras, rare and hard-to-find species, live rock, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Cleveland, TN. As an aquarium store serving Cleveland, TN, it also carries dry goods, aquarium equipment and fish food and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Eric and a named local crew (Madison, Jill) known for honest, hands-on aquarium advice
- Freshwater tropical fish plus saltwater livestock and well-seasoned live rock
- Hard-to-find oddballs like rope fish and dinosaur fish, plus pond fish and aquatic plants
- Family-friendly: kids can feed fish and turtles, hold snakes, and meet reptiles
- Affordable feeder crickets, fuzzies, and live feeder rats that undercut the big-box stores
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Love this lil gem in Cleveland. Good prices and healthy stock. Staff is always friendly and very helpful. The owner rocks, really cool guy 😎”
— Shawn Gillespie5.02 days ago“I have been here twice in the last week and a half. The first time I came in for some fish tank necessities. While we were there a little girl and her dad were in the store, staff followed her around as she wanted to hold all of the reptiles. My wife also held an iguana and a bearded dragon for the first time. The staff was awesome. Unfortunately they didn't have everything I wanted, but I visited a second time and there was different staff there, they were still all helpful and great to deal with. They are a little more expensive than the box stores BUT, they know what they are talking about and the fish/reptiles are definitely higher quality and taken care of WORTH THE EXTRA DOLLAR OR TWO. Definitely recommend them for a visit or for your aquatic/reptile needs. I would give them a 4.75 if I could.”
— Justin Gibson4.03 weeks ago“The girl that was there was extremely helpful better then petsmart and petco the supplies there was really good deal”
— Andrew Hall5.03 weeks ago“I hate to do this as a friend of mine works here, but they sold me a dead springtail culture and refused to replace it. The available manager didnt even have the stuff to step out of the backroom and tell me that themselves. If you need springtails just avoid this place and order them online, best I can say is that the isopods were alive and took to the tank well. Edit for the owners reply: I actually bought them 4 days ago on May 23rd, 2026. I'll gladly post the receipt cause thats a real short week. Anyway, this was a Saturday, and it was already dead when I got back home. Sunday I couldn't make it to your store before you closed and Monday was Memorial Day. I did make a feeble attempt to feed them, and keep them moist there was just nothing to keep moist or fed because they were dead already. I guess the money I spent on the dead culture was not worth being entitled to a product I could actually use? I will bump you up one star since you actually responded and atleast the isopods were alive.”
— Brandon Searles2.0a month ago“Extremely knowledgeable and fairly priced. Vast amount of fish and some rodents and snakes.”
— Natasha Bailey5.0a month ago“Everything fish and pond you could want”
— Garry Honaker5.0a month ago“Great to deal with !!!! 1st stop always.Madison so good with your tank or pond .”
— Rob Barnett5.0a month ago“Great place , take grandkids and kids there.. wow. . Beautiful place”
— Rick Roderick5.0a month ago“The owner Eric is extremely rude I went in to take my rat back because they never told us it was going to kill our female rat and we tried to get a store credit because they are $30 even though we bought 2 and one died but he said absolutely not and was VERY rude about it even after we have spent all kinds of money in there we even spent $100 today when this happened... this is NO way to treat paying customers and all we wanted was a store credit for something else and they took the rat and wouldn't give it back or give our money back however his employee Jill is extremely nice she always helps in when Eric just sits behind the desk on his phone but she tried her hardest to get us a store credit but even Eric was RUDE TO HER so if he can't treat his employees, customers or animals right this man deserves to be put out of business he is illegally selling turtles to minors in there he is extremely UNETHICAL... They also have all kinds of dead fish floating around their tanks and the store smells HORRIBLE... At least keep your store clean for customers and the animals that live there. This man is INSANE and don't worry we wont be back. I've already let game warden know about what your doing to animals in there and your turtles... And this isn't entitlement either you owe us for not telling us anything and selling us 2 sick animals that were overpriced. You are crazy Eric and need to be stopped”
— Brody Foskey1.0a month ago“always have an extenuating experience! you guys are the best!”
— William Shaler5.0Edited a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (423) 478-5522 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Aquatic Den.