Appalachian Reptiles & Aquatics 18113 Maugans Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740

"TL;DR: Amazing shop. Ignore the clutter, it's worth it. // This is THE place to shop for aquatics and reptiles in the Hagerstown area. I haven't even looked at a PetSmart or a Petco since I found Appalachian. They take amazing care of their animals, and always have someone on staff who is truly knowledgeable about each animal you're considering. Their livestock is pretty impressive in terms of variation as well. If I had to dredge up complaints, the store is a bit cluttered, with some items left unpriced. This is in part because they simply stock more things than their space can handle. I would MUCH rather a shop like this, cluttered for us human visitors while giving each animal the space they need, as opposed to a wide open Petco torturing bettas in tiny cups. My second complaint, and I promise I won't spin this one as a positive too, is that some of the employees occasionally come across as a bit unprofessional. Not rude, just like they're not willing to do what needs to be done to help you. For example I asked for the price of a product and they said they didn't know, and just searched up a price online. Then, told me the owner would likely have charged less but he wasn't in today. So if the store is reading this for advice, y'all are doing amazing! Just get those products priced properly and make sure your employees all have the tools, training, and power to assist customers to the fullest extent."

"This is a great little aquarium/reptile store. It’s privately owned and run by Josh. Other people that work there have been great and helpful. My now ex boyfriend bought an Oscar fish down there a little over a year ago and when we broke up I got stuck with it. I wanted to see if Josh would take it back (if not there was another pet store that would take it), so no pressure. He took it back no problem. It’s a very nice place, all his little creatures are so good looking! He has live plants and all kinds of coral. Salt and freshwater fish. Even some axolotls! They are very knowledgeable about what they sell as well! Right off Maugansville exit, if you’re down that way check them out!"

"I recently purchased a pet fish from Appalachian Reptiles and Aquatics, and I have nothing but amazing things to say about my experience! From the moment I walked in, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about all of their aquatic pets. They took the time to listen to what I was looking for and helped me choose the perfect fish for my home aquarium. The store itself was well-maintained and had a wide variety of fish and aquatic plants to choose from. They even had all the necessary equipment and accessories I needed to get started with my new pet. The staff walked me through all of the items I would need and made sure I had everything I needed to create a comfortable and healthy environment for my new fish. After bringing my fish home, I noticed how healthy and active it was, which was a testament to the great care and attention Appalachian Reptiles and Aquatics gives to their pets. They clearly prioritize the well-being of their animals and it shows in the quality of the pets they sell. Overall, I highly recommend Appalachian Reptiles and Aquatics to anyone looking for a new pet fish or aquatic plant. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and goes above and beyond to ensure their customers are happy with their purchases."

"Visit here to buy fish, fish supplies and food. We are so glad to learn more since we don't know much about fish, Brooks explained to us what we need and it was very helpful. Thanks to Brooks and Shaun. It was a pleasant experience. We will definitely visit again for adding more fish in our tank."

"Very impressed with this local business! Recommended by a friend. Very nice selection of fish and accessories. I like that they don't seem to be overextending themselves to include huge varieties in animal species like big chain pet stores. It shows that they are knowledgeable in their specialties and care about animal welfare. We first visited after setting up a small aquarium intended for freshwater shrimp. I don't know the associate's name but he helped us figure out what to add and how to care for our selections. He was extremely knowledgeable about any area of fish/shrimp keeping that I asked. Fish health, acclimation, water quality, plant growth troubleshooting and filtration types. Also, patient throughout my questioning. I appreciated how he was realistic with his advice on companion fish/shrimp/snails and fish #'s in order to keep the balance in our aquarium. He didn't push for a sale just for the sake of making one. At one point our 3 year old was worried about a goldfish that swam into tubing. He humored her and followed her over to the tank and took care of it right away. Will return!"