








Tucked behind its street address in Madison, Wisconsin, Big Kahuna Tropical Fish rewards those who find its entrance with one of the area's most impressive aquatic selections. The shop stocks a deep inventory across both freshwater and saltwater, with reviewers consistently pointing to the sheer variety of fish, live plants, corals, and shrimp on display. Tanks throughout the store are notably clean and well-maintained, and the livestock looks healthy — a detail that speaks volumes about the care happening behind the scenes.
Saltwater enthusiasts will appreciate the coral selection alongside saltwater fish and invertebrates, and the store sells pre-mixed RODI water, a genuine convenience for reef keepers who don't want to fuss with their own systems. On the freshwater side, the plant and shrimp offerings draw their own devoted following, and a solid range of tanks, equipment, and hard goods rounds out the inventory so you can handle most of a build in a single trip. The staff at Big Kahuna earns frequent praise for being knowledgeable and genuinely helpful — the kind of people who can talk through stocking decisions or troubleshoot water chemistry with you.
That said, the experience can vary depending on when you visit. At least one weekday visitor found it difficult to track down an associate, eventually leaving without making a purchase. It's worth noting this seems to be the exception rather than the rule, as the majority of reviewers highlight the quality of their interactions.
6-star rating, Big Kahuna has built a loyal customer base in the Madison area. The store delivers where it matters most — healthy animals, a broad selection spanning freshwater and saltwater, and staff who know their stuff. If you're setting up a planted tank, building out a reef, or just looking for quality shrimp, it's a shop that takes its fishkeeping seriously.
Just remember: the entrance is around back.
Angelica Rojo
6 reviews
Super helpful staff, large selection of saltwater animals and products. They sell pre mixed RODI water.
Conor Murphy
24 reviews
great, knowledgeable and helpful workers, amazing selection of fish, shrimp, plants, and aquarium parts.
Adam Horton
2 reviews
Was a great place, huge selection of fish, plants, and corals. Everything seemed healthy.
Carl Miller
43 reviews
Great selections of tanks and fish
Michael Meeker
81 reviews
Very large selection and extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff.
Tom S
40 reviews
Entrance is near back of address. Interior shop was clean and tanks looked well maintained for the most part. The associate was professional and polite but very difficult to locate. Granted it was mid afternoon during the week but there were maybe 5 customers standing around and it took 10 minutes maybe more for someone to appear and then I think it was only by accident as they seemed genuinely surprised to be asked for assistance. Regrettably, I put back my purchase and just went shopping elsewhere.
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (608) 848-1288 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Big Kahuna Tropical Fish.
Take control of your listing to update info and respond to reviews.
Claim This ListingFind on Map
1010 Stewart St, Madison, WI 53713
February 7, 2026
Verified Data
Information verified through Google Places API and community contributions.
Other aquarium shops nearby worth checking out