My husband and I have shopped here for YEARS, and we love coming here. We've shopped from Jana the most-- she is so helpful, and we appreciate how honest she is... she cares about the fish and the customer and will make sure the fish is being sold to the right home. They have a great selection of healthy freshwater and saltwater fish. We have never had parasite or sickness issues with fish we have bought from here too. read more

The people here are very knowledgeable about fish . I have had situations in the past where I needed tips and advice from the staff. The staff helped me work through the issues, and they seemed to understand exactly what I needed to do. Although I did not make a purchase, they still attended to what I needed and didn't oversell me on what I needed. I really appreciate their help. read more

I been coming here for years; the staff are very nice and helpful. I would recommend this store for fish and other aquarium items.

My wife and I went to the Aquarium and Fish Store and the owner and staff were very courteous and informative. Not having a saltwater tank for 20 years, the equipment has really changed. They spent a lot of time explaining how to setup a new reef tank and said that if I had any trouble he would be glad to come and help me. I was impressed with the professionalism that they extended to me and can't wait to start my 130 gallon reef tank. Thank you all. read more

Love this place! It is such a fun vibrant spot to see some fish and wildlife. Took my mom here the last time she was in town and she was in heaven read more

Everyone in the store is always helpful. They are very knowledgeable about both fresh and salt water setups.

I love this fish store as well as the workers and owner there. I've been going there for a few years for all my water/ fish/ plant necessities. Anytime I ever need help or have questions about my tank they take the time to share their knowledge because all of them that I've talked to are also passionate about the hobby and are always willing to help where they can. read more

This is my go-to LFS. Their fish selection is extensive, their crew is knowledgeable and friendly, I LOVE their plants (and the deals they usually have on them) and of the dozens of fish I have purchased from them over the years to stock my six different fish tanks, the only issues I have ever had were due to user error. Thankfully, every time I've come to them with questions regarding parameters, tank mates, and general care, they have had the answers. It can get a little hectic (it's a well-stocked, yet smaller shop) during peak hours, but if you let them know you have questions or want to buy something, they're eager to help. I've only ever kept freshwater tanks, but I'm sure I could count on them for guidance if ever I wanted to branch out into the saltwater world as well, as the store has an even selection for both. read more

Awesome staff starting a new tank first time doing saltwater the staff knows what they are talking about and wants to help you get going. The old reviews are false this team of staff deserves a 5 star read more

Love this store. Its a hidden gem with a wide selection of products. Super helpful/ knowledgeable staff and friendly. Never had to blame the store for "poor fish". As long as you take the proper measures to introduce the new fish to your personal tank then you should see success and not death in your fish. This store is truly better than what you can get from big name pet stores. read more

AWESOME store for all your fresh/saltwater aquarium needs! Highly recommend!! Great selection of fish, plants, coral, and supplies. I travel over an hour just to shop here read more

really cool fish wide selection healthy fish good staff good store customer service professional

Customer service is awful! No one greats you, no one wants to help! I had to get my own live rock out of the tank and no one gave me anything to wipe my hands! I had to ask if I could get some snails that seems like I disturbed them into helping. So sad really! read more

I went here for the fist time about 2 weeks ago and store looked nice however the customer service crew wasn't friendly at all no one asked if my husband or I needed help we had to find help on our own but he seemed as if he didn't want to help so we had to wait on him. Lastly the fish I bought died a few days later and I called and was told after 3 days no warranty and bring a sample of water. I had my previous fish in the tank for over a year so my water was fine 4 fish died 5 days later. I will not be returning here. read more

Since my 1st review they have done some remodeling to the store. It's a bit nicer in here now. I still come for water but sometimes buy supplies for my tank. Tried another fish but it died in a day or so, so I'll stay away from the fish. Employees are helpful and nice. They try to solve my Tank issues and check my water for me. Still a great place to get your RO water for your tank. read more

i love their plants , it is awesome , customer service is good , they always greet and ask if i needed any help read more

The Aquarium & Fish Store - Local Fish Stores Near Me - Brandon, Florida

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I've been going to this Aquarium store for years now, always friendly and helpful staff. I have had very few issues with any of the fish, snails or plants I buy here. After fully stocking and decorating two live planted tanks, both are thriving! They have a great selection of supplies and really take care of their plants and animals. They also have a decent amount of rock and driftwood to choose from! Highly recommend! read more

The Aquarium & Fish Store - A few tetras I've gotten here, all doing well over a year later - Local Fish Stores Near Me - Brandon, Florida

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Not sure why all the poor reviews maybe it's because of previous attitudes or policies or something. But as of 2021, the staff has been very friendly and helpful, the fish don't look sickly, and the coral animals seem pretty well cared for. When it comes to infections I have had no problems but a quarantine period should be standard when buying from any fish-store imo so please implement a qt if you haven't already because the stores can't screen every fish/coral/plant 100% that's just unrealistic. read more

Their fishes bacteria killed my whole tank! I had a beautiful forty gallon cichlid tank, natural rock, aquascaping, the works. I've had these cichlids for years and two were even making babies. I was in need of a new Pleco. I bought a pleco from this store and within 24 hours my whole tank was floating. (Except the pleco actually which is now covered in white spots so I think I know what they gave my tank) So about half a grand to replace everything I had in my tank, plus another fifty to buy a quarantine tank so I can hopefully at least save the pleco. I will never buy from this store again and I highly suggest if you do quarantining your new fish first and treating it. read more

First I'd like to say that I'm new to the Tampa area. I traveled 17.5 hours straight from Pittsburgh, PA with my reef babies. (No casualties) I've traveled to a lot of different LFSs and a lot "warehouses" and obviously no two places are the same. Basically you never know what you're going to happen upon. My first visit to the Aquarium and Fish store was surprisingly pleasant. I was greeted and asked if I needed assistance. By multiple employees. I didn't, so they continued on with their conversation. (Not before saying if I had any questions to let them know.) The store was clean, decently stocked and didn't smell. (Which you wouldn't think of particularly, however, I've been to some places.) Good impression. As I walked through to gaze upon the fish, I noticed how clean the tanks are. I mean, CLEAN. Most of the fish looked beautiful. Yes, there were some fish that looked like they've seen a back alley in the middle of New York City. But let's get real for a minute. Most saltwater fish are wild caught. Those sad, scraped up discolored fish you see.... Didn't get that way from being in the store. Had "Dick the Diver" not gone in the water and catch it, it'd probably be dead. I read in someone else's review that there was a sick fish and the woman working did nothing to help it. Let's be clear. Aside from providing clean tanks, food, antibiotics and an anti parasitic agent, there's not much else to do. I've worked in the animal industry for a long time. Believe me, if you want to complain about neglect, go to places like Petco. Their practices are sickening. I digress. I did have a few questions about tanks and external protein skimmers. The gent who I spoke with was very knowledgeable and explained my options. I explained my situation and he understood. (No judgement. I had just moved.) Was a refreshing experience. The very next day I came back with my husband to a similar experience. The previous day I fell in love with a Vlamingi tang who I came back to take home. (He's a very fat happy fish!) I couldn't be happier with this store. So to the employees, I thank you for your time, patience and understanding. More importantly, the care and love you show our wet pets! read more

Good plant selection and fish selection they have both salt and fresh water stuff with good prices

Yes I've been meaning to catch up on my reviews. This place is my second stop in the area next to a place in palmetto and then another in Tampa. All depends on what I'm looking for sometimes the stock is great here and the prices reflect well too. Healthy inventory of tropicals and never had any health issues with any of my purchases. A bit harder to find my live rock sometimes but you can get RO water here if you want to salt it yourself or just need to replenish evaporation or lower salinity. They pretty much have someone on hand to answer any saltwater questions you might have and will always test your water if your having troubles. I'm glad I switched to saltwater it couldn't be any easier to care for. I had freshwater growing up and boy not as colorful and always getting sick. read more

I was directed to this store by a Petco fish department employee. I owe him. This store, tucked away in a little strip mall not only has an incredible inventory of foods, live, frozen and flakes, but also has a wonderfully varied inventory of healthy fresh and salt water fish. I have never lost a single fish I have gotten from them. They have a great selection of plants as well. I have always had fish tanks and I have found a plant or two that I have never seen before. They have an incredible inventory of every type of tank you could want and the substrates to go in them, all reasonably priced. Finally, and most importantly, they have a welcoming and knowledgeable staff who patiently answer questions, teach you how to do things, and give you the feeling that they genuinely want you to succeed with your aquarium(s). I live at the far south end of Riverview. I can get supplies closer to my home than this store is. But going here is such a pleasure that I make the drive...and I never leave without feeling I have learned something néw. read more

Nice place with knowledgeable staff. They have fresh and salt water fish, tanks, food, lights and more. The store could use a bit of decoration to make it more appealing to first timers. read more

The Aquarium & Fish Store - Aqua Star - Local Fish Stores Near Me - Brandon, Florida

Cannot say anything bad about the service and product that is provided at this store. If you want to buy fish and dump them in your tank without quarantining them that's your choice/risk. Don't blame the "quality" of the fish purchased especially without specifying that you even know what you're doing. Most every specimen purchased has Ick (Cryptocaryon)......So if you buy a fish from any store it's the smart and right thing to keep separated for 30-60 days before introducing to your established environment. That being said, none of my fish or corals purchased here have had ANY issues. The service is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and every single one of the associates including the owner makes you feel at home and is more than willing to go the extra mile in explaining the hobby. Sure it's fun to go shop around at other stores and hunt for stock but we couldn't be happier with our LFS being this one. read more

My husband goes to this store to find fish that would not be found in other aquarium/fish stores or at Petsmart. He has great success with his fishes, which he gets from different stores - I'd say a 98% survival rate. Yes, the lighting in this store is not bight like Petsmart. And yes, sometimes it seems like the employees would rather not deal with customers. But the owner is also very knowledgable about his inventory. Anyone who complains about their fish dying: either your water is not right, or the fish was already sent to the store sick and you happened to buy it thinking it looks pretty rather than really look at how the fish acts. The prices for the supplies seem to be comparable to the other pet stores - sometimes cheaper, sometimes not. This is a store that my husband frequents almost weekly - he would not spend money at a store that sold substandard fish (we already dropped a supplier for substandard fish). Also, they have a VERY GOOD return policy for fish returns if they die on you. I know that for freshwater fish, you have 7 days from the date of the receipt. Idk about saltwater fish, bc we don't have a saltwater tank (yet). read more

First experience in a local fish store, and I was not disappointed! The staff was super nice and helpful, and went above and beyond to help me walk out with the specific plant I had been looking for. The plant selection is beautiful in here btw! They have gained a new customer for sure. Would definitely recommend. read more

This store is horrible. The staff will literally talk you out of the hobby if you let them. Dead fish litter their filthy system. 'nough said. Go to Coral Corral in Tampa if you want real coral and quality fish at better prices as well. read more

I went in multiple times and the employee (or owner) named Bobby (tall, bald, has a great beard) is very kind, fast, and knows his store well and his fish well too. It's a little dim with the lighting but I don't mind, a lot of it is lit by aquarium lights itself which is neat. It's a smaller store so they can't fit giant shelves with 3+ large protein skimmers at a time but this is an understandable limitation, other than that it's a lovely store and I have got my rhino pleco from there and he's very healthy. Main complaint is it'd be nice just to have a few more freshwater fish species in there and maybe more interactive employees, they occasionally ask if you need help but other than that they are pretty quiet. However they aren't a problem to approach to ask for help, I usually ask Bobby just because he's helped me before. read more

The lighting in the dry goods are of the store is a little dim, but the fish area was immaculate. Bought an anemone and a bunch of fish and they all acclimated and are doing great. Found the fish prices to be ok, some high some good and some low. The people can be a little stand offish but I find that in most aquarium stores where people use them as a free aquarium for kids. read more

This is the only fish store we go to. The staff is knowledgable and helpful. Prices are great and always have what I need in stock and when they don't they are willing to order it and contact me when it has arrived. We have 2 salt water tanks and have purchased 90% of the items from this store. Most of their prices are better than Amazon. Would recommend to anyone needing fresh or saltwater fish and supplies. read more

It's kinda funny I agree with other posting the will make u want to leave the hobby. The tall guy with the beard seems like he's is irritated when customers walk in door and wants to hide in the back. They usually only have one item on shelves so if u need two of it good luck order online. I've had a few different people I have about the place and they get same feeling from employees. I know I'm done with them if they don't fix customer service they won't b there for long it looks like it on downward slide. read more

Everything you read negative about this store is true. I just started in the hobby and would have bought all my things from this store...UNTIL....the bald guy Bobby, he won't return any calls or texts but will promise you the world. Too bad they are convenient to where I live. Glad to be making my own RO Water now, I don't need them for anything at all.... read more

I have bought fish from them twice the first time was a Australian rainbow and it had ick... basically spread to my whole tank. thought It was just bad luck... then bought another rainbow about 9 months later with another fish in another holding tank both freshwater and both had ick in a matter of days after bring them home. so not only do you waste time and money on the fish you buy but potentially they could harm your other fish in your tank. so far none of my other fish are sick hopefully it stays that way... I feel that they should quarantine their fish if they know they are sick and wait to sell them rather than just putting them out to make a profit. I'm sorry as to another reviewer who said don't blame ick, but I have gotten fish from many places and they did not have ick. I do blame myself for going back after and already bad experience. Fish that are sold should be healthy or quarantined until otherwise. You can quarantine them yourself and should when you get them, but they will still die if they are not strong enough to make it through, you should not have to buy a fish with expectations it will die because it was sold to you sick to begin with. read more

Staff is friendly and helpful, doesn't try to sell you anything you don't need, or pressure you into making a decision. Their conditions for the fish are alright, but much better than you might find them in at a chain pet store. I could see the store being a little intimidating if you are new to the hobby, since it doesn't have the best lighting/layout/etc... but it feels comfortable to walk into if you have been in the trade for a while. The healthiest fish I have came from this store. read more