About
Walk into The Waterfront and the first thing that hits you is how calm a well-run operation feels — crystal-clear tanks, no funky smell, and healthy, active fish in every aquarium. Regulars call it the best local fish store in Utah, and hobbyists happily make the nearly hour-long drive from places like Spanish Fork just to browse. " Freshwater is where this Salt Lake City shop truly shines.
Alongside dependable community fish, you'll find rare and exotic species for sale in Salt Lake City, UT that simply don't turn up at big-box stores — stingrays, oddball catfish, and unusual livestock you've only seen in online videos. The neocaridina shrimp selection earns constant praise, and keepers of nano tanks rave about the small, high-quality stock. Cichlid fans find solid choices, and freshwater puffers and healthy bettas — housed in properly sized, decorated tanks instead of cups — round out a deep roster.
There's also an impressive driftwood, rock, and live-plant selection that'll have you replanning your scape on the drive home. Much of the magic is the people. Owner Louis has deep roots in Utah's fishkeeping community, going back to selling pacu on KSL classifieds a decade before the storefront opened.
Staff like Taylor will demonstrate aquascaping techniques with driftwood, talk through tank parameters and compatibility, and even walk you through what to do when your cichlids spawn. They'll special order hard-to-find species, notify you when something arrives, and quarantine livestock so nothing leaves sick. Prices sit a touch above big-box, but the quality and care show.
For exotic freshwater fish near me, The Waterfront is the shop Salt Lake City locals trust first.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Waterfront in Salt Lake City, UT
The Waterfront stocks rare and hard-to-find species, shrimp, cichlids, invertebrates, catfish, betta fish, pufferfish, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Salt Lake City, UT. As a fish store serving Salt Lake City, UT, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations, aquascaping and fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Rare and exotic freshwater fish, including stingrays, you won't find at big-box stores
- Standout neocaridina shrimp and nano fish stock praised by regulars
- Bettas housed in properly sized, decorated tanks — not plastic cups
- Owner Louis and staff like Taylor demonstrate aquascaping and talk through full tank setups
- Quarantined, healthy livestock plus special orders for hard-to-find species
From keepers
Customer reviews
“They did not attend to me. Nunca me atendieron”
— Lazaro Deaquino1.0a day ago“Super awesome store with helpful and knowledgeable staff! They are more than willing to answer any questions I have and help me find things. Great place for beginners looking to get into the hobby!”
— Alyssa Wise5.06 days ago“Taylor is very knowledgeable and helpful for any set up. The waterfront has a great selection of all freshwater fish and if not in stock they are willing to find what you are looking for.”
— Richard Cleaveland5.06 days ago“Came in to browse and wow the variety of fish they have here is insane! They have fish I didn’t even know existed. I really liked the aesthetic of the tanks as well they looked really nice and minimal. The fish looked well taken care of. The associate was helpful asking if I needed anything or had any questions! Although I didn’t end up buying anything I’ll definitely be coming in the future!”
— Isai Jimenez5.0a week ago“Knowledgeable staff and amazing fish in stock.”
— marci flocken5.0a week ago“An Absolute Gem for Aquarium Hobbyist If you are a freshwater hobbyist in the Salt Lake valley, you quite literally need to check out The Waterfront. First off, the selection here is absolutely unmatched. If you are tired of seeing the same basic tetras and mollies at every big-box pet store, this is your haven. They consistently stock incredible, hard-to-find exotic fish, stunning aquatic plants, and unique fish that you’ve probably only ever seen in online videos. It's like a high-end gallery for aquarium lovers. But what really sets The Waterfront apart is the people. The customer service is outstanding, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. They don't just bag a fish and send you on your way; they take the time to genuinely explain proper care, tank parameters, and compatibility. They answer every question with total patience and a calm, approachable demeanor—making you feel completely supported whether you're a seasoned aquascaper or setting up your very first tank. Between the top-tier stock, competitive pricing, and a team that genuinely loves the hobby and cares about the welfare of the fish, I won't go anywhere else. Five stars all day!”
— Trevor Hoyt5.02 weeks ago“We absolutely love love love this fish store! They carry such a variety and answer any and all questions about fish. We got chichlids from them and one had babies we called and taylor walked us through what to do now we have like 20 babies. We got a beautiful puffer as well, this is our go to store and we've never had any issues with sick fish, or dying right away. This is the go to place for any fresh water and exotic fish! Always trust them!”
— Jenna Strickland5.02 weeks ago“DO NOT SUPPORT THE WATERFRONT!!!! In my experience, there seems to be little effort made to ensure fish are going to owners who are prepared to properly care for them. I have seen many exotic fish purchased from this business die shortly after being sold, which raises concerns about the sales process and the guidance provided to customers. If you care about the welfare of exotic fish, I encourage you to support businesses that prioritize responsible ownership and animal care.”
— Katie Hibbs1.02 weeks ago“Great selection, very knowledgeable”
— brandon squires5.03 weeks ago“Great shop, very cool to see all the well stocked fish. The tanks and fish look healthy, and well maintained. They have certain varieties that are popular right now. But it is way too pricey. $5 per shrimp is up there as one example.”
— Natalia Smith3.03 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (801) 770-0045 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Waterfront.