E’ville Aquatics: Not Your Typical Fish Store

Ellicottville Aquatics

Not Your Typical Fish Store… This One is Way Cooler!

Driving down the US-219 is a Western New York experience like no other. As guard rails and rest stops give way to flower stands and country stores, the colorful road signs proclaiming “Scenic Byway” assure you that you are headed in the right direction. Click off cruise control and keep going, past Ellicottville and its alluring storefronts. Beyond Holiday Valley, the golf course, the school. Head south and you will see it, nestled next to a sprawling antiques barn, tucked away, a pearl in an oyster. Let the greens and blues of the sign beckon you inside, the jaunty font inviting you to relax. This is a different world … this is Ellicottville Aquatics.

It all started in a basement. The year was 2015 and Disney-Pixar’s film Finding Nemo was taking the world by storm. Two friends, noticing the exponential growth in clownfish demand, had a crazy idea. 12 clownfish couples and 20 fish tanks later, the pair were overrun with Nemo babies. They scrambled to find their clownfish new homes, but the happy fish were reproducing at an alarming rate. After a brief stint selling their scaly friends to local saltwater fish stores in New York and Pennsylvania, the two decided to branch out on their own. Ellicottville Aquatics was born.

“We started with 6 saltwater tanks, 4 freshwater tanks, and only 200 gallons of water,” says Skyler Martens, the store’s founder and owner. “We had no idea what would come of everything. Today, we are at 5,000 gallons of water volume in the store, making us one of the largest fresh and saltwater shops in Western New York.”

To put it in perspective, it takes 9 whole hours to fill a 5,000-gallon pool with a regular garden hose; that is almost 42,000 pounds of water. It is simply insane to comprehend, hard to believe that a shop containing such magnitude exists just down the street. Skyler Martens can hardly believe it himself. In fact, owning a business was never part of his game plan.

“I went right into the work force after graduation,” says Skyler, a Great Valley native and Ellicottville Central School graduate. “I started operating heavy equipment for the Highway Rehab Corp. and paved roads on the East Coast for 6 years. But fish tanks were always my hobby,” he admits. “I started out with freshwater aquariums, like most do, and moved on to saltwater a few years later. Fish and corals have been my passion for almost two decades now.” 

In the last couple of years, Ellicottville Aquatics has branched out beyond aquariums and fish-related fodder. Now, it is a full-line pet store and bait/tackle shop. Browsing inside, you will see small animals, reptiles, dog and cat food, treats, toys, worms, live minnows, crayfish, and so much more. Ellicottville Aquatics is a one-stop-shop for pet-lovers everywhere.

“We have lots of inventory,” says Skyler. “Everything you need to get your salt or freshwater tank up and going for years to come. It’s the same with our small animals and reptiles,” he adds. “And we source our products and accessories from all the leading companies. We have everything from aquariums to terrariums.”

Ellicottville Aquatics also has a longstanding commitment to staying as local as possible. When it comes to small animals, like hedgehogs and chinchillas, Skyler deals only with New York State’s most reputable breeders. With global resources for animal wellbeing, the shop works only with happy, healthy creatures.

“Our best-selling fish are the clownfish, of course,” says Skyler, “and the freshwater GloFish. We also love our stingrays and seahorses.”

Clownfish are interesting not only for their color, but for their ability to transition between male and female, depending on the demographics of their environment. GloFish, strangely enough, are genetically engineered to glow in the dark. You can purchase them in trademarked colors like Electric Green and Galactic Purple. With the fun quirks of freshwater stingrays and the pure beauty of seahorses, these are some of the most unique aquarium dwellers you could ever own.

“If you’re new to the hobby, we are here to make it as easy and fun for you as humanly possible,” assures Skyler. “It is a hobby for all ages and budget-flexible! The best thing I tell everyone is to be patient and don’t rush the aquarium. Remember that it’s a little ecosystem that you’re trying to replicate.” 

Ellicottville Aquatics also sponsors the Tropical and Saltwater Fish Club of Cattaraugus County.

“On top of that, we rescue fish and animals all the time and find them good homes,” he says. “It’s hard to say no, so we take them in and make them feel right at home.”

“My favorite part about owning a pet store is honestly everything,” Skyler gushes. “From meeting newbie pet owners to veterans, it is work but not work. If you enjoy your job, you will never work a day in your life.”

The most complicated part of running a pet store, as you can imagine, is being on pace with the next, newest, coolest thing. In keeping with this, Ellicottville Aquatics now has ball pythons and hedgehogs in need of good homes. As Skyler explains, the snakes are really fascinating and are super friendly. Though they are great pets, snakes are not for everyone. It took Skyler several years of store owning to overcome his fear of snakes, also called ophidiophobia. Hedgehogs are absolute sweethearts, as well. Did you know that they can have between 5,000 and 7,000 quills?

Looking at the fish tank in my mother’s living room, its contents lovingly purchased from Ellicottville Aquatics, I think about the joy that the tiny ecosystem gives her and my family every day. Every time a new batch of babies is born, the fish are fed in the morning, or the pleco (suckermouth fish) does a majestic belly flop at the top of the tank, a tiny bit of magic escapes in the bubbles. From the aquarium’s unfortunate snail infestation to a broken water heater, Skyler has answered all questions, providing unending support. 

So next time, when you are racing down the all-too-familiar southbound highway of Western New York, perhaps you will take a moment to stop and smell the proverbial fish-scented roses. Take the plunge, if you will, into the watery realm of Ellicottville Aquatics and discover the wonders of the deep.

Ellicottville Aquatics is located at 4343 South Whalen Rd. off the 219 in Great Valley, NY. Follow the store on Facebook for the newest inhabitants available for sale, as well as special offers, care tips and more. You can contact Skyler directly at 716-244-1008 or email evillaquatics@yahoo.com.