City guides, species care, equipment reviews, and tips for hobbyists.
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the most sophisticated aquarium hobby communities in the country — tech-industry wealth, easy ocean access, and a culture that rewards boutique quality over big-box volume.
Read more →Philadelphia has a deep-rooted aquarium hobby community built on decades of club culture, strong cichlid traditions, and a steadily growing reef scene fed by the dense Mid-Atlantic population.
Read more →The Washington DC metro area — spanning Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District itself — is one of the most affluent and educated aquarium markets in the country, with a thriving reef and planted tank community.
Read more →Boston's aquarium hobby community runs deep — driven by excellent natural water quality, a strong planted tank tradition, and universities that funnel biology-minded enthusiasts into the hobby every year.
Read more →San Antonio's aquarium scene is defined by its unique Edwards Aquifer water chemistry, a strong cichlid tradition, and a growing reef community supported by Texas's second-largest city population.
Read more →Clownfish are the most recognizable marine fish in the hobby — and one of the best choices for a first saltwater tank. Here's everything you need to keep them healthy and thriving.
Read more →Discus are among the most stunning freshwater fish in the hobby — and among the most demanding. This guide covers everything you need to keep them successfully.
Read more →African cichlids are among the most colorful freshwater fish in the hobby — and they thrive in hard, alkaline water that many other fish can't tolerate. Here's how to set up a stunning African cichlid tank.
Read more →Testing your aquarium water is the single most important maintenance habit you can build. But with dozens of test kits available, which ones actually give accurate results? Here's what to use and why.
Read more →An aquarium heater is one of the most critical pieces of equipment in a tropical fish tank — and one of the most overlooked until something goes wrong. Here's how to choose the right one.
Read more →Las Vegas may be landlocked in the Mojave Desert, but the city hosts a surprisingly passionate aquarium hobby community with dedicated reef shops and committed freshwater enthusiasts.
Read more →Austin's booming population has fueled a dynamic aquarium hobby scene, with reef specialists, planted tank shops, and a passionate local community unlike anywhere else in Texas.
Read more →Portland's aquarium shops reflect the city's character — independent, quality-focused, and sustainability-minded, with a thriving planted tank and reef community.
Read more →Denver's mile-high aquarium hobby is thriving, with dedicated reef and planted tank shops serving a growing community of enthusiasts across the Front Range.
Read more →Atlanta's aquarium scene punches above its weight, with a strong cichlid culture, thriving planted tank community, and shops serving hobbyists across the metro.
Read more →The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of the largest aquarium markets in the country. With dozens of stores spread across a massive metro, here's how to find the best LFS in DFW.
Read more →San Diego is one of the top reef cities in the USA — ocean access, year-round mild weather, and a massive hobbyist community make it a destination for serious reefers. Here's your guide to the best LFS in America's Finest City.
Read more →Seattle's tech-savvy, nature-loving culture makes it one of the best cities in the country for the aquarium hobby. From planted tank specialists to reef shops, the Pacific Northwest delivers.
Read more →Phoenix might be in the desert, but its aquarium hobby scene is anything but dry. With a massive metro population and dedicated hobbyist community, the Valley of the Sun has quality fish stores worth knowing.
Read more →Tampa Bay has a thriving reef and freshwater scene with stores that cater to everyone from beginners to serious reefers. Here's what to look for when shopping local in the Tampa area.
Read more →Los Angeles has one of the best local fish store scenes in the country. Whether you're deep into reef keeping or just setting up your first freshwater tank, this guide covers what to look for and how to find the best LFS in LA.
Read more →New York City has a hidden gem of an aquarium store scene — from Manhattan specialty shops to Long Island reef stores. This guide covers what to look for, how to navigate NYC LFS shopping, and local water tips.
Read more →Chicago has a surprisingly strong aquarium store scene for a Midwest city. This guide covers the freshwater and reef shops worth visiting, local water quirks, and tips for getting the most out of every LFS trip.
Read more →Miami is one of the best cities in the USA for reef hobbyists. This guide covers what to look for in a South Florida LFS, the saltwater-heavy store scene, and tips for getting the most out of every visit.
Read more →Houston's aquarium scene is bigger than most hobbyists realize. This guide covers what makes a great LFS in H-Town, the specialties you'll find, and how to get the most out of every store visit.
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