About
Aquatic Marine has been a Knoxville institution long enough that some customers remember owner Kinny selling fish out of his garage. 8 stars, the community clearly agrees. Walk through the doors and you'll find yourself surrounded by rows of clean, well-maintained tanks spanning both freshwater and saltwater livestock.
The saltwater side stocks a robust coral selection that reviewers say thrives after being brought home, along with reef fish and invertebrates. Freshwater enthusiasts will find everything from rummy-nose tetras and albino bristlenose plecos to bettas and axolotls, plus a huge variety of nano fish. The live plant section earns particular praise — multiple customers single it out as reliably healthy, alongside aquascaping rocks and driftwood that make the store a destination for planted tank builders.
Dry goods and equipment fill out the inventory at prices reviewers say are comparable to big-box stores but with noticeably higher quality. RO water is available for purchase, a lifeline for Knoxville hobbyists dealing with hard tap water. The store also provides custom tank design, installation, and ongoing maintenance services, making it a full-service operation rather than just a retail shop.
Staff members like Isaac and Brandon come up by name repeatedly for their willingness to walk customers through water chemistry, coral care, and tank setup without any pressure to buy. One teacher used a classroom grant here and praised the personalized guidance at every step. The show tanks scattered throughout the store serve as both inspiration and proof of concept.
The store also supports the local fishkeeping community through involvement with area fish clubs. For Knoxville aquarists looking for healthy livestock, solid equipment, and staff who genuinely want to help you succeed, Aquatic Marine has earned its reputation as the go-to local fish store in East Tennessee.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Tank MaintenanceTank SetupCustom TanksConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Massive selection of both freshwater and saltwater livestock in clean, well-maintained tanks
- Strong coral inventory that reviewers report thriving long after purchase
- Huge variety of nano fish, live plants, and aquascaping hardscape materials
- Custom tank design, installation, and maintenance services available
- RO water available for purchase — essential for Knoxville's hard water
From keepers
Customer reviews
“a very friendly staff and the best inventory of aquarium products in knoxville.”
— Mike Ogle5.0Edited 2 days ago“Staffs Knowledge is nice to encounter. Great LFS for this region.”
— Scott Gregory5.0a week ago“Won a grant for my class and Aquatic Marine has helped us every step of the way. Personalized service and great hospitality.”
— Jonathan Cotton5.02 weeks ago“I've been buying all my aquarium needs and livestock here for years. Staff is always helpful and knowledgeable and prices are fair.”
— Chris5.02 weeks ago“I absolutely love this store! They are all so helpful and amazing!”
— Tyissha Sherrill5.02 weeks ago“Great place, customer service and selection!”
— Lindsey Pryor5.03 weeks ago“Great place everything you need for your reef aquarium. Friendly and Knowledgeable staff!”
— Jason M5.03 weeks ago“Best aquarium store around.....”
— Eric Russell5.03 weeks ago“Great selection of livestock and friendly staff. 🐟🐠🐡🪸🦐”
— Rachel McDurmon5.03 weeks ago“Aquatic marine and its associates have helped me, and educated me so much into this hobby. All of their aquatic life was healthy and well. the people there are so kind and forgiving!”
— Aida Ellis5.04 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (865) 938-2819 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquatic Marine.