About
Tucked into Highland Village in the northern stretch of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Rift 2 Reef Aquatics is the kind of independent aquarium store that turns a quick errand into a long, lingering visit. " Owner Dane is a fixture on the floor, and customers single him out for honest, no-pressure advice. One visitor said he learned more in fifteen minutes troubleshooting his FX6 filter with Dane than after hours digging through forums.
Manager Kali, Ethan, and installer TJ round out a team that walks first-timers through stocking and setup. Shrimp keepers have a real home here; a recent customer picked up neocaridina and blue shrimp that have since bred faster than she can count, a testament to how seriously this shop takes the health of its stock. If you're hunting neocaridina shrimp for sale in Highland Village, TX, or rare tropical species you can't find anywhere else in DFW, this is the place.
You'll also find koi bettas, nerite snails, five-dollar brine shrimp cups and copepods for live feeding, and critically endangered wild-type bettas bred on-site. The store medicates and quarantines new arrivals, including its saltwater fish, and keeps an RO water filling station for freshwater and saltwater tanks alike. Pond, reef, and tropical setups are all supported, and the aquascaped display tanks and terrariums scattered through the shop double as genuine inspiration.
It's a small, dog-friendly operation, so during busy stretches a few visitors have wished for a quicker hello, but the overwhelming consensus is that healthy fish, plants, and decor available in Highland Village, TX make Rift 2 Reef worth the drive from Denton or Dallas.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Rift 2 Reef Aquatics in Highland Village, TX
Rift 2 Reef Aquatics stocks betta fish, rare and hard-to-find species, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Highland Village, TX. As an aquarium store serving Highland Village, TX, it also carries aquarium equipment, fish food and fish medications and offers aquarium setup, aquascaping, water testing, aquarium consultations and fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Breeds critically endangered wild-type bettas on-site
- Neocaridina and blue shrimp plus healthy, well-cared-for freshwater stock
- RO water filling station for both freshwater and saltwater tanks
- Owner Dane and team known for honest, no-pressure aquarium advice
- Aquascaped display tanks and terrariums throughout the dog-friendly shop
From keepers
Customer reviews
“SCAM! I talked to a store employee and asked for a recommendation on a fish. I explained that my tank was still cycling, but had plants and Cory’s in the tank who have been thriving. She recommended Empire Gudgeon’s and recommended I buy a specific bottle of bacteria to throw in the tank to cycle it. I went off of her expertise and experience. The next day I woke up, and the empires jumped out of their tank. If I would’ve known they were so sensitive to any amount of trace Amonia I wouldn’t have bought them, but the employee said the fish would be good to go. The employee recommended their most expensive items, and racked up $100 purchase for 3 small fish to go into my 55 gallon community tank. The store has a 24 hour return policy but refused to make things right, even tho I relied on their knowledge and expertise to buy the fish in the first place. If you’re gonna upsell me, at least know what you’re talking about or try and fix the issue. If I could give this place zero stars, I would. This was also all conveyed to the owner by the employee (or so I was told), and they never got back to me. This place will up-charge you, so definitely don’t ask for any recommendations. TLDR: they upcharged me, assured me it was the right choice, and didn’t even follow through on their 24 day return policy because the fish jumped out of their tank instead of dying in the water.”
— Paul1.04 weeks ago“Love this store, owner has done a wonderful job. Friendly staff and more than willing to help and answer questions. Fish and tanks are very well taken care of. Will be a frequent returning customer”
— Wesley Dolan5.04 weeks ago“Awesome place! Awesome selection! Amazing staff! Will definitely be back!Thank yoi for all the help!”
— wes bock5.0a month ago“From the vibe of the store to the vibe of the people it's all awesome. Super knowledgeable and will go out of their way to make sure you're getting exactly what you want and that it will work with your setup. I'd recommend Riff 2 Reef to anybody who wants high quality aquatic babies.”
— Braydon Kramer5.0a month ago“Wide selection of plants, decor and aquarium fish for your tank . Beautiful terrarium displays and supplies.”
— Nancy N5.0a month ago“I visited Rift 2 Reef in February, 2026 to purchase 5 freshwater neocaridinia shrimp. The assistant that helped me was very kind and made me feel more at ease about the process. I returned a few weeks later and picked out 4 blue shrimps to add to my population. I now have two tanks of shrimp on my desk that provides a wonderful backdrop for getting my reading done, and have more baby shrimp than I can count. I am so grateful to have a store where the health of the stock is prioritized. We will be stopping by again in a few weeks to purchase fish for my daughter's aquarium and probably some new plants for me.”
— Heather Seal-Breslin5.0a month ago“Great help. Very responsible owner.”
— Michael Jones5.02 months ago“We love this awesome shop! They are so knowledgeable, experienced and helpful! They have everything you'd need for your pond, reef tank or tropical fish tank. They have the coolest tanks. Highly recommend them!”
— Shawne Chamberlin5.02 months ago“Riff Reef Aquatics exceeded my expectations. The store had a great selection of fish, and every tank was impeccably clean and well maintained. After being warmly welcomed by Kali I spoke with Dane who was extremely knowledgeable, listened carefully to my situation, and walked me through several options without any pressure. He was professional, courteous, and took the time to make sure I had exactly what I needed before I left. I honestly learned more in 15 minutes talking with him in the store than I did after spending hours researching forums and groups trying to solve issues with my FX6 filter setup. It is rare to find someone who genuinely cares more about helping you succeed than simply making a sale. If you want honest advice, real expertise, and customer service that is hard to find these days, this is absolutely the place to go. Dane made sure I left confident in my decisions, and I would highly recommend Riff Reef Aquatics to anyone serious about their aquarium.”
— Chad Uphoff5.02 months ago“Beautiful shop. They were so helpful and kind, and helped guide my seven year old to choices that she was happy with and that worked really well for her aquarium.”
— XcessPain5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (972) 317-2341 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Rift 2 Reef Aquatics.