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Aquatic Pets and Aquariums

What’s the best freshwater aquarium fish combination? What size tank does a pet pufferfish need? Does an aquarium need to have plants? Are saltwater aquarium fish right for me? Uncle Bill’s can answer these questions and help you find the right pet fish or other aquatic friends, along with all the aquatic pet supplies you need to give it a comfortable home.

Best Aquatic Pets for Beginners

Pet fish habitats can range from a simple rectangular tank to nano reef or betta tanks to a saltwater aquarium holding 100 gallons or more. Uncle Bill’s generally recommends that people who are new to maintaining an aquarium choose a fish that’s low-maintenance. Here are some excellent freshwater fish for beginners:
Guppies
Mollies
Platies
*These three types of freshwater fish above get along well with each other, and can live in a large enough tank in same-sex groups.
Bettas
*Smart, showy, but only female Bettas can share a tank since males are aggressive to each other, but male Bettas may share a tank with Neon Tetras.
Cichlids
*While fairly aggressive, some of the most colorful and popular freshwater fish in the hobby.

Other Aquatic Pets

In addition to fish, Uncle Bill’s has a wide variety of water-loving animals:
Frogs
Sideneck Turtles
And Axolotls!
*Our inventory varies by location, so please contact us if you’re looking for a specific type of aquatic pet or stop by an Uncle Bill’s location near you.

Aquarium Care

Uncle Bill’s has everything you’d expect in an aquatic pet store: aquariums, filtration systems, fish food, and more. Our friendly associates can help you choose an appropriately sized saltwater or freshwater aquarium for your pet and provide tips on aquatic plants and fish tank accessories.

Quick tips for freshwater aquariums:
*Avoid direct sunlight to deter algae growth
*Once a week
-Change about 10-20% of your tank water (varies by tank size and number of fish)
-Use a siphon when removing water so you can do it slowly
-Set aside water you siphon off to use when you clean the filter
-Only add pre-treated or R/O water to the tank

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Aquariums are great learning tools.

Whether you’re an adult hobbyist or have kids interested in science, building and perfecting an aquarium habitat is a fun and exciting way to learn about nature and ecology.

Aquariums promote responsibility without being too demanding.

Kids (and adults) of all ages can participate in various tasks related to maintaining an aquarium, and they often become deeply invested in the saltwater fish or freshwater fish they select. Aquariums can also be a relatively low-maintenance hobby, which is perfect for busy households.

Aquariums reduce stress and anxiety.

Have you noticed how many doctors’ offices have aquariums? That is not a coincidence! Experts, including the former Surgeon General of the United States, advocate aquariums for their proven health benefits, including reducing blood pressure!

Vampire Crabs

| Mar 05, 2026

Vampire Crabs!

Geosesarma spp., also known as vampire crabs, are nifty little creatures! black purple vampire crab up close They are quite colorful, and their names normally refer to their glowing yellow eyes and nocturnal behavior. A semi-terrestrial species native to SE Asia, they ideally require an 80% land to 20% water enclosure - such as a Paludarium or Front-Opening Terrarium that can hold water!

A minimum of a 10 gallon tank is suggested for a small group of 2-4 crabs for beginners. They spend the majority of their time on the land, but water is ever important for some of their other natural habits like molting. These unique invertebrates enjoy soft substrate to explore such as coconut coir, sphagnum moss, and other organic soils/sands suitable for burrowing. Just be sure to have a tight-fitting lid for your enclosure since these little ones are fantastic at climbing and expert escape artists otherwise!

black purple vampire crab eating bloodworm While these omnivorous critters may not be "blood-suckers" like their name implies, they are scavengers and actually eat a wide variety of foods - from pellet diets to blanched vegetables, bloodworms, and even leaf litter. On the other hand, due to being both predator and prey in the wild, they are generally a bit shy and skittish. Being quick to hide for safety and comfort, it's best to give them lots of hiding places such as rocks/lairs, driftwood, and densely planted areas.

vampire crab hiding Although it is best to keep Vampire Crabs in a species-specific tank for the most part, even avoiding mixing of colors or different Geosesarma species, you can incorporate other fun additions that are equally rewarding to observe - like springtails and isopods or small freshwater snails and shrimp! Isopods and springtails act as a sort of "clean-up crew" in bioactive habitats, and shrimp or snails can also be kept - but be warned they may be opportunistically eaten by the vampire crabs on occasion! However, they can be beneficial to the overall environment of the enclosure too.

black and purple vampire crab Now at Uncle Bill's Pet Centers, you can take home your very own Black & Purple Vampire Crabs (perfect for complimenting an enclosure full of greenery!) for only $7.99 each - PLUS, we have several BioActive supplies on sale now such as ZooMed Labs Sphagnum Moss, ReptiSoil, & BioActive Kits and Exo Terra Hides & Foggers - today through 3/29/26 with your Extra Value Card!

Are you ready to find a saltwater or freshwater fish store near you? Then visit the nearest Uncle Bill’s Pet Center today! We’ll help you learn more about how to get started with an aquarium, or you can view our amazing selection of pet fish as well as other aquatic animals and accessories.

Uncle Bill’s Pet Center is an ethical, humane source for a wide variety of pets, including Dogs, Cats, Fish, Birds, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Reptiles, Amphibians, and other small and exotic animals. We are the premier pet store in the Indianapolis area, with locations on the east, northeast, and west sides of Indianapolis, as well as in Fishers, Greenwood, and Ft. Wayne. Uncle Bill’s Pet Center carries a large inventory of pet supplies, and is committed to helping our customers understand and care for their animals throughout their lives.