Where do I even begin. I have been in this store NUMEROUS times as I have 2 tanks (20gal and 55gal) and was in the market for another tank but this time I decided to step into the saltwater world. So while on one of my many "research trips" to the Fish Cave, I met Erika (hope I spelt that right) and she was amazing. She took her time with me, walked around the store to explain things to me and really seemed to be engaged with making sure I got what I wanted. Fast forward to a couple weeks later I came back in and told her I found my perfect tank and I was ready to set it up. He response was "awesome let's do this"! Not sure who was more excited about this tank me or her! She helped me pick the right canister filter, sand and more importantly the rocks. She knew I was a hands on type of person so she told me to "pop a squat" and she brought out a box of rocks for me to situate on the floor so I can plan out my tank. This was by far one of the best shopping experiences I have ever had anywhere. Her ability to ensure I got what I needed, while also letting me be hands on and help me plan my tank was phenomenal! There were two other young ladies (one was pretty young, one had recently had a baby!!!! Congratulations!) at the registration who help me check out. Whether, it's a "research" trip, a quick serotonin lunch trip, or to buy freshwater fish for my two freshwater tanks every single time I stop in I receive top notch customer service! Thank you again Erika for dealing with my "crazy"! read more

Fish Cave - Tank set up - Pet Stores Near Me - Jacksonville, North Carolina

The tanks were dirty the staff wasn't helpful and prices were kind of high Was not happy with that place at all I would not recommend anybody to go there read more

I don't know why CAROL L. left a bad review. I stopped there recently and ALL of the ranks SPOTLESS with crystal clear water, none of the rocks had any green algae build up, hardly saw any dead fish, all of the fish looked very HEALTHY, there wasn't dust on any of the items on shelves or the aquariums, their prices were fantastic compared to all other stores, they have a huge variety of fish that you don't see very often, and the staff was friendly!!!! i read carols review before walking in so I thought I was walking into a shitshow but was very surprised when it was the complete opposite. read more

Love this place! Staff is always pleasant and helpful, they will help you with any questions you have about fish. When I asked about a specific fish they had they suggested I wait a couple days because he didn't look to good after shipping. Two days later I went back and the fish didn't make it, they saved me $70. read more

My son is a big fan of fish cave. The staff is always very nice, helpful and knowledgeable in each species. My son has gotten all his fish here for his first tank and he loves going back just to look at what's there. There selection of fish and supplies will not disappoint. read more

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Me and my father went out to the fish cave after we were done working out in the yard. We got there at 6:47 or something they close at 7. we went to return a dead fish and the young lady with blonde hair the owner's daughter, had the worst attitude. She would not give us credit because something was wrong with our water. We tried to talk to the owner and she was not there. So we went back later and the owner said she checked the cameras and she said the same thing . We will not be returning there ever again. read more

Went in last night to see what was new. A lot of corals in store now. More of a selection than I have seen. Still not seeing the Acropora that I like. As far as prices go there is no competition in town; no I mean there is no other fish store with coral in town. Still surprised that there is not a larger coral section in this store. Full of new tanks however useful that is. It's like an auto parts store that has more cars in the store than shelves of parts. read more

The Fish Cave was recommended to me by a Jacksonville local. I'm setting up a tank after it moved with me from out of state. They have a great selection of tanks and equipment. I bought a bunch of stuff for a new look to my tank. The female staffer was very friendly and quickly checked with the owner if she couldn't locate it herself (special cleaning pads, single air valves, etc). I just bought equipment on this visit. After the tank has been running a week I'll start looking for fish. The fish in the store look to be in happy condition and I'll post again after I get some. I'm looking for just fancy butterfly moor goldfish. While they didn't have any (neither does anyone else in Jacksonville) the owner said he can check on availability, just give him a call. read more

Best place in Jacksonville to get fish and corals. Staff is really knowledgeable, and eager to help. Whatever you need they can order for you. Haven't had a bad experience since I've started going here. read more

FISH CAVE JACKSONVILLE NC , OWNER MIKE :I went in and was wanting info about salt water fish and Robert who was helpful but wanted a sell... I told him I was not quite ready and unsure of what I needed. Within 10 min. He had sold me a pump and salt and barometer he had at register in a bag. I was NOT told there are no REFUNDS on ANYTHING in store... I thought it was meant 4 fish . Well i went next day Owner Mike was rude said NO REFUNDS, said he was in business 40 years w/out problems. He refused to give $ money back. I reported to BBB. He said go ahead...... He did offer a exchange... but tell me who wants to buy from this rude man.... who is a owner.... SHAME ON HIM!!!!! Buyer Beware.... also many of their fish are sick...... NO REFUNDS FISHCAVE@FISHCave.NET ****FISH CAVE**** JACKSONVILLE NC BUYER BEWARE read more

The price is more expensive,and the owner said he can't choose the fish which you like ,I recommend to the PetSmart,there is more cheaper,sometimes guppy only 1dollar read more

Let me start off by saying if you do not have a quarantine tank you had better not purchase fish from here. They will definitely sell you a fish out of a visibly infected tank. Plop and drop at your own risk. That includes the coral. Some of the people that work there are knowledgeable and some aren't. Come researched. They usually have the most popular fish. Clowns, Wrasses, gobies, and will order what they don't. Any medication you need is available here. They also have equipment but I wouldn't buy unless it's an emergency. It's expensive. The coral selection isn't that great, and they keep some in tanks with infected fish so again, plop and drop at your own risk. You can also buy live and frozen food from here. Really, for what it is, a mom and pop shop, the only real problem I have is with it is the infected tanks. They will sell those fish with no warning or discount. A little predatory if you ask me. Especially with saltwater as you can't get a refund. If not for that I would have given them a 4. read more

I've been in a couple times and both times the people were friendly and helpful. The fish are better taken care of than PetSmart and Petco

Every time I have stopped by the employees have all been extremely helpful. They patiently explained tank set up and differences in fish to make sure that I got everything I needed. I even had to return an item and I didn't have any issues. So far they've been great! I'll definitely return. read more

The worst expereince ever tonight! When we walked in tonight my 3 yr old nephew was so excited he did yell very loudly "FISH" but he is 3 and couldn't control his excitement. I took it upon myself to apologize to the guy working behind the desk since he did seem taken back. When my 5 year old niece decided to ask the same guy a couple of questions he not only ignored her but ignored all 3 questions she asked him on different occasions. All it took was you to take a few minutes out of your day to educate her and she would have been bragging about your business to all of her friends and telling them what she learned. When her mother asked if something was wrong because you were ignoring her she started to apologize for being in your way and you decided to inform us your store was not a petting zoo. Please note that 2 adults were supervising the children and making sure none of them were running and or touching things they shouldn't be touching because we do respect others and their businesses they work hard for. We now have lost all respect for your business but hope you take this review and learn from it and no longer disresepct anyone else, especially kids, ever again. read more

I am starting an hydroponic garden. Angie at Fish Cave helped me select the proper fish and spent a lot of time teaching me some some requirements for a good balanced hydroponic garden. She gave me her card so I could call if I ran into problems. I plan to use Fish Cave again because they have a nice selection and are knowledgeable. I would give them 5 STARS. read more

It was great I went to get a fish tank and other supplies and they recommend many things and had a huge selection of fish the workers were nice and now I'm a proud owner of a 10 gallon tank with an Oscar read more

Great selection and pricing. Was recommended by a friend and the owner was very friendly. They have some cool "odd ball" fish too that you won't see in a chain pet shop. We will be back! read more

Personally I have had nothing but great experience with the fish cave. The owner has been nothing but honest and gives great tips, when you may have troubles with my aquarium. However in my presence they handle rude and obnoxious customers better then I ever would. They have order anything I have asked for. Thanks Fish Cave James read more

Avoid this store. Owner is rude, and knows very little about reef aquariums. Save yourself time and effort and go to the internet if you live in Jacksonville. read more

Avoid this store at all costs, because thats what you are getting into a world of heavy costs. I know there isn't to many options when it comes to Marine Fish in Jacksonville but this is not a hobby you settle on. We now go to Wilmington to a MUCH better ran and cared for store of fish. But as far as the Fish Cave goes, the owner himself has always been ok to us but his wife is so rude that we would drive right past if we saw her in there. And now they have two teen age kids mostly running the place that sold us a fish with ICK last time we were in there and did so knowingly. We were devastated as we woke this morning to a take full of dead fish, Most of which we have had since we set our tank up some time ago. We took the dead fish and a water sample to Fish Cave since it's the only place in town that runs tests and sells medications for fish, she took one look at our dead trigger and asked where we got him, when I said there her face said it all, he wasn't supposed to be sold and yet had caused they horror that we now faced with over $400 in dead pets. Our fish our more then fish to us, we take good care and do a lot of research, so to wake up to "Jones Town" in my tank was devastating. Would they do anything to make their mistake right? Nope, I was told they couldn't refund even through they knew they were in the wrong and there was no denying it, but the reason why they wouldn't even offer to discount the medication needed for our water is because they have bills to pay and basically she wasn't there at the time of the sale so she wasn't going to be responsible for the lack of knowledge or care of her employee. I will never even think of going to this place again, first off I didn't deserve to be talked to in a manner.. and mind you I didn't ask for a discount, or refund she just up and offered the information that they have bills and they wont do anything. Beyond RUDE, Beyond uncaring.. and come to think of it everything that we have gotten from there, which was the trigger, a clown and a coral in the course of our tank all died with in 48 hours.. yet we went to the New Pet Fish Matrix.. which seems to be having trouble getting started and everything from there has done great. We didn't know much about our coral but when it didn't look like the pictures when we got it home we did some more research and turns out it was dead before we got it. Our fault for not knowing but their fault for not informing and they way over charge for their fish. I suggest to people in the area make the drive to Wilmington to Coastal Reef now under new owner ship and a much better, more professional place and not a single problem to worry about. read more

This place has the worst customer service I've ever experienced. I was trying to get information about starting up the hobby, and every question I asked, I got a one word answer. The owner was a prick and he made me feel like a was wasting his time. I'll drive to wilmington or Greenville rather than give this a##hole my money. Im seriously surprised this place is still open for business, do yourself a favor and buy online or go somewhere else. read more