Elegant Reef - Tropical Fish Studio

Elegant Reef – Tropical Fish Studio occupies a unique space in the San Antonio aquarium scene as a comprehensive shop covering freshwater, saltwater, brackish, and even pond setups. Walk through the main showroom and don't miss the second room behind the swinging door — that's where many of the saltwater displays and corals live. The store stocks a broad range of livestock that includes tangs, corydoras catfish, bettas, shrimp, and invertebrates alongside a rotating coral selection featuring zoas and other reef specimens.

New stock arrives weekly, keeping the tanks fresh and giving regulars a reason to stop in often. The plant selection draws mixed reactions — freshwater plants can sometimes look rough, though prices tend to undercut competitors around San Antonio. For saltwater hobbyists, the coral and fish inventory is substantial, though some shoppers note that pricing on premium corals and saltwater species runs higher than other local stores or online retailers.

The shop also sells RO water, a convenient perk for reef keepers and planted tank enthusiasts who want clean water without investing in their own filtration system. Staff members like Big Dave, Hugh, Nate, and Jamie earn frequent shoutouts for their enthusiasm and willingness to walk customers through compatibility questions, tank setup advice, and livestock care. The store labels some fish tanks with basic care information — tank size requirements, compatible tank mates — a small but thoughtful touch that several customers have praised.

Hardscape materials and aquascaping tools round out the dry goods section, making it possible to plan an entire build in one trip. The store does maintain a strict no-return, no-exchange policy on livestock, which is a genuine sticking point for some buyers, particularly those who've encountered sick fish. Water testing is available in-store, though quarantine services are not offered.

Despite occasional frustrations with wait times and customer service consistency, the sheer breadth of inventory across multiple water types keeps Elegant Reef as a go-to destination for San Antonio aquarists building anything from a simple freshwater community tank to a full reef system.