DAYTON, Ohio — It’s not every day that you see a full-scale aquarium store in the middle of a warehouse, but at the Front Street Arts District in Dayton, that’s exactly what you find. 

What You Need To Know

  • Retired Cincinnati Police officer Dave Ratay is now known as Dave the Fish Guy

  • He owns and operates Aquascapes Tropical Fish in Dayton

  • He’s the only employee, so it keeps him busy

  • He hopes others will also pursue their career dreams, no matter how late

There you’ll meet Dave Ratay, a retired Cincinnati Police officer who is now focusing on a business venture he’s always wanted to explore: Selling tropical fish. 

“I always wanted to have a tropical fish store,” Ratay said. “I just got the opportunity when I retired, and here we are four years later, living the dream.” 

Pursuing that dream has earned him the nickname “Dave the Fish Guy.” 

Ratay spent nearly three decades as a police officer which he said helped pay the bills, but that wasn’t his passion.

“They gave me a good job for 27 years, and I raised the kids, but when I retired, I wanted to do what I love, and that’s fish.” 

At 58, he’s the only employee of the Aquascapes Gallery.

“I’m it,” he said jokingly. “And I can barely afford me.” 

Which means he has plenty of tasks to keep him busy, like cleaning the tanks and bringing in more fish. 

But you won’t hear him complain. 

“I’m just trying to support the hobby with this little shop,” Ratay said. “Not trying to get rich. Most of the money that I do earn goes right back into the shop just to get more fish. So I’m really just supporting my own fish addiction if you will.”

He hopes others can find the time to pursue their career dreams, too. 

“People should be able to do what they love, as opposed to what they have to do,” he said.