Sea Oddities in Kingsport, Tennessee is a family-owned aquarium shop that inspires strong loyalty — and occasionally strong reactions. The store stocks a wide range of freshwater and saltwater fish, corals, shrimp, axolotls, bettas, angelfish, live plants, and aquarium supplies. Multiple reviewers single out their mopani wood and hardscape selection as the best in the Tri-Cities area, and prices consistently draw favorable comparisons to Amazon, Walmart, and chain pet stores.
The owner runs the shop with unmistakable passion. When she clicks with a customer, the experience can be extraordinary — long, detailed conversations about tank setups, patient answers to a barrage of beginner questions, and genuine follow-up advice that keeps people coming back for years. One customer described the store as a 'magical world,' and several credit the staff with setting them up for success in the saltwater hobby from scratch.
The coral and fish selection draws people from over an hour away, and regulars say the livestock is consistently healthy and well cared for, housed in immaculate tanks. That said, the reviews paint a complicated picture. A significant number of visitors describe the owner as curt, dismissive, or outright rude — particularly when asked questions she considers basic or when customers challenge her approach to fishkeeping.
One couple looking for live rock received an unsolicited lecture about why it should stay in the ocean. Others felt ignored or rushed, especially near closing time. A few reported livestock losses shortly after purchase, including blue dream shrimp and angelfish, raising questions about quarantine and acclimation practices.
The store clearly rewards patience and a willingness to engage on its own terms. If you come ready to listen and learn, you'll likely leave with healthy, reasonably priced livestock and genuinely useful advice. The freshwater and saltwater selection is among the strongest in the Kingsport area, and the family's dedication to the hobby is evident in every tank.
Just be prepared for an owner who tells it like she sees it — for better or worse.
John Michael Arnaud
31 reviews
I had a whole bunch of questions and the owner and employee answered them all, helping me understand through my many queries. It's so nice to have an offline resource with people who know what they're talking about and will spend time helping you. Definitely be back.
Scott Salamah
17 reviews
Got some really great Coral and Fish. The owner she was really nice
Colleen Hollis
70 reviews
Love this cool place😀. Felt like I was in a magical world lol. Owner SO nice and very knowledgeable. She has helped me so much. Going back today to set up my saltwater tank 🥰 Edit: every time I head into kingsport I pop in to say hi and look around. I never leave empty handed lol. Today a few corals and fish. They are always so nice to me and very knowledgeable. Thank you Sea Oddities xo
Brittany Jarrett
8 reviews
The most passionate people for fish care. They will set you up for success if you are willing to learn. Their tanks, water, and stock they receive are always in great condition. Best selection of mopani wood and hardscape in the tri-cities!
Emma Farmer
I am extremely pleased with my experiences at this shop! They are always very helpful and I bought a betta fish from there that is very healthy and has been extremely lively!
K J
Hours need to be updated on Google came at 11:25 on a Friday doors locked.
Red Chap
253 reviews
We went in and waited around neither person offered any help on fish or anything. I felt they were rude and more worried about closing up. So we went elsewhere to buy fish. We won't be back.
Robert Kirk
7 reviews
The BEST PLACE for fish and aquarium supplies very knowledgeable staff and a nice small business
JJ Toms
8 reviews
The fish selection is nice but the owner is super rude for no reason. If you’re new to aquariums, do not go here because if you have any questions, she will do her very best to make sure you feel bad for having questions. Any question I asked, she replied in an annoyed, rude tone. This was the first, and last time I’ll be here. I’ll take my business to Pet Cove instead, who have always been kind when I’ve gone there. **EDIT so one day after returning home with our new blue shrimp, all of them have unfortunately passed. After doing lots of research on how to care for them, it appears we had them set up for success. But I believe based off their housing conditions in store, they did not make it due to stress. Blue dream shrimp should be housed in one gallons for every 5 shrimp and they were housed 8 shrimp in a small cube stuck on the wall of a large aquarium tank. It’s possible maybe their other fish receive better conditions and they may last a bit longer, but reading some of the other reviews I don’t know that’s the case. This is very disappointing. As of now the aquatic plants I purchased are still living, but that’s it.
Magnus Johnston
20 reviews
I cannot express how much I love this shop. I got my sweet axolotl, Friday, from here. The family that runs and owns Sea Oddities is so friendly and knowledgeable. I've spent time just talking with them. 10000/10 will recommend this place forever.
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (423) 392-4044 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Sea Oddities.
Take control of your listing to update info and respond to reviews.
Claim This ListingFind on Map
128 Broad St, Kingsport, TN 37660
February 7, 2026
Verified Data
Information verified through Google Places API and community contributions.
Other aquarium shops nearby worth checking out