The Viv Bioactive

Lové Howe

2024-04

Amazing service. You can tell they care about the well being of their plants and animals as the tanks are clean and everything looks healthy. The staff are very informative and knowledgeable and can answer just about any question, you can possibly have. Definitely coming back for our fish needs!

Charlotte Hanson

2024-04

Went here to ask about aquatic plants for our goldfish, and the staff was incredibly kind, friendly, and knowledgeable! They had a number of plants they suggested for us, and we were able to purchase a few for a great price to try out. We are so happy we found this place, and we highly recommend it! VERY IMPRESSED

christopher brown

2023-10

This is by far the best LFS in the area. Their tanks are always clean, the fish are always healthy, they do a really good job of quarantining the fish before selling them, there is almost always something new to see rare or exotic and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Marie

2024-02

I was just in there yesterday. Took a chance and I'm so glad I did! This is the place to go for your aquarium needs!! Good customer service is a rarity these days and theirs is great! It was such a pleasant experience! I will be back for sure. (Natasha)

CJ Scrofani

2024-03

Sean helped me pick out some fish for my new aquarium setup. Super knowledgeable, chill to talk to, and just an all-around great person! This is the best spot in the valley to buy fish and reptiles from people who care about their well being.

Kelsie Watkins

2024-04

I purchased a UVB hood and light here for $170. I learned after the fact that the exact same product retails elsewhere for $100 or less (EXACT same product— go ahead and Google it if you’re confused by their reply). I am happy to pay a bit extra to support a small business, but a 70% price increase is crazy. The employees and owner repeated the same excuses to me about how expensive it is to run a small business, which I absolutely empathize with, but seemed to have no regard for the fact that it’s also expensive to be a consumer… Especially when places are charging so much more than what the product costs elsewhere. I was told by one employee that “whatever you paid is what it’s worth” but I cannot understand why buying from this store specifically adds over $70 of worth compared to if I’d ordered it online.To make matters worse, my lizard died less than 1 week after I bought it and the Viv refused to let me return because I didn’t have the original box. The only option they gave was a partial store credit, which doesn’t do much for a dead lizard (not to mention I’d pay more driving to Four Corners from where I live than I’d get out of partial store credit).Really disappointed in the unwillingness to accommodate a crappy situation and frustrated that I am now out nearly $200 for a lamp that isn’t even worth half that.Edit: my vet didn’t recommend I shop at the Viv, she recommended I purchase the light/bulb and I made the mistake of trying to get it here. I do not lie and my review is an accurate reflection of my experience with this business.

jason veitch

2024-03

We recently had the most amazing 4'x4' enclosure designed and made by The Viv for Chameleon which we also purchased from the Viv. In addition we had our daughters 8th Birthday party at the Viv and it too was amazing and so educational. All the kids participated and held a bunch of different snakes, Lizards and a Tarantula.Highly recommend for Birthdays, as well as your home or business pet needs.

Alex Thompson

2023-06

10/10 recommend these guys ❤️ i was from out of town and I wanted to see a new fish store so I googled fish stores and these guys popped up. I stopped in only to check it out and when I walked in I was blown away. I ended up leaving with a strawberry peacock cichlid, a sunshine peacock cichlid, and a hi-finned Cory catfish. All looked beautiful and healthy and couldn’t be more happier. Will definitely be back the next time I’m in town ❤️ pictures of the beautiful cichlids I got ❤️

Paige L.

2024-03

New favorite pet store in Bozeman. Nice workers and high quality products. Not to mention the ethical housing of animals that are healthy and clearly well cared for. Never going to any of the chain pet stores again.

Keisha Mayer-Gawlik

2022-05

Beautifully set-up, with all sorts of fish and reptiles that are clearly healthy and well cared for, with all the supplies you need to care for your own snake/frog/fish/etc. Everyone I've met who works there is absolutely delightful and very knowledgeable, so if you're new to owning any of the animals that are housed there, you'll be in good hands with those at The Viv. I myself got my first snake, having no plan to even get one when I first arrived, but felt more than confident with taking good care of her thanks to the employees and their one-stop-shop on all things vivarium. (Not to mention their vast collection of stickers, unique plants, resourceful books, cat legos, and so many other fun things!) An overall great local shop to support.

aqua.scape69

2024-02

The Viv is the place to go for all you reptile and aquatic needs. The owners are very friendly and knowledgeable. All of their animals are well cared for and healthy. I highly recommend them.

Christy D

2024-02

This is a great place and long overdue to this valley! They have moved to Four Corners, but are still very accessible and have the same hours. Their people are very knowledgeable and helpful and their inventory is great!

Stephanie Baldry

2024-04

Just purchased an axolotl from the Viv. Dayton and Laura were FANTASTIC, super knowledgeable and so helpful. Thank you two for hooking me up and answering all of my questions.

Squirrelsam9

2024-02

A small but very nice store. Extremely knowledgeable staff and very very friendly. A local small business I will be going back to again and again for my aquarium needs.

Tom

2022-05

I have nothing but nice things to say about the folks at the Viv. Everyone is super nice. My only complaint...is that I wish they would get more livestock and hardscape options. However, it seems as though they are in the middle of 'rectifying' that right now. Still, lots of cool options...great folks. Plus, if you're setting up a paludarium or terrarium, the Garden Barn is right next door.

JOHN TOVAAS

2023-12

My son is crazy into fish and has been a regular customer. I personally don't know anything about fish but i know good customer service and i know well stocked shelves and good prices, i know what a great store looks like and this is definingly a great store

Marina Schreckengost

2023-05

What an awesome store! We're looking to get my daughter a frog and we were so impressed with the ridiculously amazing customer service! Nobody was pushy, yet offered so much useful information and answered a lot of questions. This is our new go to store for our amphibian and fish needs! They have live amphibians, reptiles, fish, spices and more. There's tons of supplies and lots of unique stickers too. Plus, they have some cool creatures that we've never seen in any other places around town. I highly recommend The Viv and can't wait to go back!

Austin Stevens

2023-09

I grew up in Billings, but live in Boston and go to all the big time expos/pet stores in the Northeast. The Viv has an awesome selection, with really knowledgeable and friendly staff that’s equal to anything I’ve been to out East. Love that they source from local breeders. Glad to see the reptile hobby growing from when I was a kid in MT!

Peaches Pan Tao

2023-08

My new favorite fish/pet store in Bozeman. Their stock is beautifully, professionally and humanely kept. I especially appreciate the proper care and housing of their betas. If you are planning on getting a beta, shop here rather than giving a big box store your money where betas are kept in deplorable conditions.Since crystal clear aquariums closed, The Viv is currently the only store in the Bozeman area with full business hours and that sells aquarium safe rocks, driftwood, and other hard to find supplies. Not to mention they have all sorts of curios/toys the whole family would love.10/10 highly recommend!

Mike R

2023-09

Spent about $1000.00 on a snake and accessories for our daughter. Even though we had already paid for the snake they made us come back 4 times before we were actually given possession of the animal. Worst buying experience ever. They made us feel as if we could not be trusted to care for the animal we spent all the time and money on. I will never buy anything from them. This is not my first snake buying experience. It was awful.RESPONSE: On the 4th trip back to the store to actually take the snake home the owner confronted us about the review I left. She was defensive and appeared agitated about the review. She attempted to make us feel guilty about how we felt about our experience and lectured us for about 20 minutes. She refused to hear what we were communicating to her and talked over us. She even insinuated that she had the ability to refuse to sell to us. Our daughter was left standing in the store watching this unpleasant interaction and waiting even longer to recieve the snake she had been so happy about taking home. Confronting a customer and making them pay a personal and unpleasant price for leaving honest feedback is unacceptable. The proper response would have been appreciated and could have resulted in increased customer trust and loyalty. I rarely leave reviews, especially negative reviews. This was the most unpleasant and toxic buying experience I have ever had. I am sorry my family had to endure it over what should have been a routine good faith pet purchase.

Kaitlynn Lummer

2023-06

Super cool store! The gal I talked to was super helpful and answered all my questions - had a lot of knowledge and was kind with all her answers. The animals there had clean tanks appropriate for the size of the critter and looked to be very well taken care of. I had purchased isopods and springtails and some of the containers didn’t have as many bugs as they were supposed to. I was able to get ahold of them and they went above and beyond fixing the issue. Their customer service is great. They value their relationships with customers and it shows. If I’m ever back in the area I will be returning!!

Chelsea Eickleberry

2023-05

Awesome knowledge base from everyone I've met that works there, good variety of both supplies and fish/reptiles. Definitely the place to go for aquarium stuff here!! And such a cool set up in their shop too!! Even if you're not into aquarium keeping, it's a really cool place to visit anyway

Evey Bennett

2023-05

One of my new favorite fish stores!! Things are a bit more pricey than a lot of other stores, and the staff is often distracted and talking to each other, but other than that there are no qualms. The shop is very clean, and is organized nicely. The animals are also all very happy and healthy. I’m impressed.

T L

2023-05

Beautiful store full of amazing exotic pets, but the 6 fish I got from there all died.I had bought 6 neons, and granted these are more expensive than other LFS but I waited so I could get better taken care of ones. Within a couple days, 2 had died, then a couple weeks later the remaining 4 developed ick and passed. The other fish in my tank from a different store were fine and did not develop ick, and still have not to this day.I would have gone to talk to the staff about how to rectify this situation, but every time I've gone in they seem more interested in chatting with each other than helping customers. First time I was in no one greeted me or offered assistance. Second time I was offered assistance after asking.Will not be buying fish from here again, it's not worth the risk of sickness, they're overpriced, and the staff doesn't care about customers.

Mackenzie Johnston

2023-08

I don’t live in town, but whenever I visit I always have to stop here for wood, rocks, or just stickers and keychains! This place has such a neat setup, and as someone who works at a pet store, I truly appreciate the care that goes into the animals that are kept here!! :)

Katie Watkins

2022-05

April, did such a great job helping out my family making sure that we bought everything we needed for our fish tank and plants for it. We're so excited to pick up our first this week. Thank you, so much for your amazing expertise on all you know about plants and fish that would work out best for our fish tank. :) It's so much fun to stop by and check out what is new in the store.

Nikki Balla

2023-05

My two daughter's and I stumbled upon this store by accident and were more than pleasantly pleased. The store was very clean, organized and it was evident it had been merchandized with the utmost care. What impressed me further was the customer service we received from the gentleman working that day. He was extremely knowledgeable and explained every answer to our questions thoroughly. He displayed enthusiasm and genuine care and concern to arm us with with everything we needed to know before jumping in to the commitment we would be taking on in purchasing an axolotl. I will definitely be returning to this store and will recommend it to any and everyone. Thank you for your outstanding customer service!! Way to go!

Cole Fisher

2023-05

This place is AMAZING!!! The staff are super nice and take great care of the animals. I got my pea puffers here and was blown away by the fish selection. Don’t go to Petco or Petsmart to adopt animals, go here where they actually care about the animal’s wellness.

Tom Bradley

2023-07

Excellent selection and helpful staff. Can't leave without buying stuff. I got an overdraft charge because I milked my debit card so hard, it dried up, .now I just powdered milk and that so hard to get out of a vow.Glassy frog Tom Bradley

Kara Haskell

2022-05

The Viv is so much fun to just visit and walk around. We got my daughter her first hog nose snake there and they were so so helpful. Amanda is so knowledgeable and even gave us her personal number for help. I actually accidentally pocket dialed her at 6 am and she called me right back!! The animals are all locally sourced to my knowledge and I felt very comfortable that I was getting a happy healthy little hog nose. Really neat addition to Bozeman!