The Aquatic Critter

The Aquatic Critter has been a Nashville institution for decades, and its nearly 3,000 Google reviews tell the story of a store that has earned deep loyalty across the Middle Tennessee aquarium community. Walking in after a recent remodel, the tanks gleam — saltwater livestock looks vibrant, freshwater setups are meticulously maintained, and the live plant selection draws repeat customers who come back for dark red varieties, driftwood, and aquascaping supplies. The freshwater side stocks serious predator fish alongside community staples.

Reviewers mention picking up redtail catfish, redtail hybrids, Orinoco and mono peacock bass, ghost knives, pictus catfish, Corydoras, cichlids, and tetras — many reporting their fish thriving for years without health issues. The saltwater department has built a strong reputation of its own, with healthy corals and marine livestock that keep reef hobbyists coming back. Staff members like Jack are singled out for their patience and depth of knowledge, walking customers through tank cycling, compatibility questions, and care specifics that other stores and even online forums couldn't answer.

But The Aquatic Critter isn't just a fish store. The reptile room is a destination in itself, with longtime staff like Trent and Jeremy guiding customers through purchases ranging from Sulcata tortoises to arachnids and snakes — a tradition stretching back to when Robert White ran that department over 25 years ago. It's a place families visit as a field trip and hobbyists browse just for the atmosphere.

Pricing runs higher than big-box competitors, though multiple reviewers note that equipment and supplies undercut even Amazon on certain items. The store carries tanks, stands, lighting, lids, float valves, and a full range of dry goods. One practical note worth heeding from experienced customers: quarantine new plants and fish before adding them to established tanks, as with any live livestock source.

For Nashville aquarists looking for a one-stop shop with real expertise and consistently healthy stock across both freshwater and saltwater, The Aquatic Critter remains the benchmark.