Fish World

Tucked away in Liberal, Kansas, Fish World is a small independent aquarium shop run by a single dedicated owner whose warmth and fish knowledge keep loyal customers coming back. This isn't a big-box retailer with polished aisles — it's a neighborhood fish store where the proprietor knows his livestock intimately and takes the time to share that expertise with every visitor. The shop stocks a solid variety of freshwater and saltwater fish.

Reviewers highlight healthy bettas that rival or surpass what you'd find at chain pet stores, plenty of guppies, and a cute clownfish holding court in one of the saltwater displays. Koi are available for pond enthusiasts, and the owner has earned repeat business from customers building outdoor water features. A planted aquarium in the store catches the eye of visitors, and the owner has been known to share cuttings — one customer walked away with pothos and baby sun rose for free.

Fish World has also built a small community around fish rehoming: at least one reviewer brought in fish they'd been given and received store credit in return, a practice that speaks to the owner's commitment to keeping fish in good homes rather than just moving inventory. It's worth setting realistic expectations. Multiple reviews note the store's physical condition has seen better days, with some tanks looking worn and the building itself carrying a musty smell.

The owner has also scaled back on aquarium supplies and equipment, a casualty of competing with big-box retailers. What remains is almost entirely live fish stock. But what Fish World lacks in retail polish, it makes up for in the quality of its fish and the genuine care of its owner.

If you're in southwest Kansas looking for healthy freshwater tropicals, bettas, koi, or the occasional saltwater specimen, this is the local shop worth supporting. The prices are fair, the fish are healthy, and the conversation is always good.