Ocean Realms owner turns childhood passion into business

Inside a business tucked into the Creekside Center on Saint James Avenue in Goose Creek, visitors can find live, colorful coral. There are also countless fish with colorful names, like the Extreme Picasso Clown Fish, Hawk Fish, Rock Blenny and the Kupang Damsel.

While the names of the fish are foreign to many, they are very familiar to those who have a passion for having fish in their homes. They can find those and more at Ocean Realms.

“It’s very, very soothing,” said owner Lisa Trill. I find that many people, once they have a tank and a TV in their living room, don’t pay attention to the TV at all. It’s fun to watch the fish, no matter what type they are and how they act and interact. Fish do have their own personalities.”

She said she’s had fish tanks since she was 8 years old, and now she has hundreds filled with every type. She offers both fresh and saltwater varieties and caters to both novice and experienced collectors.

Trill started the business three and a half years ago and had a grand re-opening May 4 to remind residents they don’t have to leave Goose Creek to find exotic fish and coral. Trill, who has a degree in environmental chemistry and geology, opened the business after a few things fell into place.

“It’s always something I’ve been interested in and just had a passion for,” she said. “I worked in a lab with a regular nine-to-five job for 20-plus years. I injured myself at work and knew I was not going to be kept on the staff. I noticed very few locally owned stores, so I threw all in.”

The business venture is risky because the overhead, upkeep and maintenance required to harbor healthy fish are expensive — and so are the fish.

In Trill’s shop, some cost more than $200 for a creature no bigger than one’s thumb. But the fervor for fish keeps people coming; like staring into a campfire, a tank is tantalizing.

“There are medical benefits as well,” Trill said. “It’s been found to help lower stress and lower blood pressure. It definitely seems to be growing. I opened in the middle of COVID-19, which is a great time to start a business, right? But it was kind of good because a lot of people were in their homes.”

If one is considering beginning the aquatic experience in one’s home, Trill said good starter fish are Tetras or Bettas fish for freshwater and for saltwater tanks, the clownfish, i.e., “Finding Nemo,” is a sturdy pick. But it will take commitment. Trill added, believe it or not, the clownfish can live up to 15 years and often longer.

“My heart is with the saltwater fish and the corals,” she said. “I love the corals.”