About
Nature Aquarium in Culver City is one of Los Angeles's most focused and meticulously curated planted tank destinations. Owner Toru has been running this shop for over 15 years — first in Santa Monica, now in its current location — and his expertise in aquascaping is evident the moment you step inside. The display tank near the entrance alone is worth the visit: lush, pearling plants set among carefully arranged hardscape that showcases what's possible when skill meets patience.
This is an exclusively freshwater store, and that singular focus shows in the depth of inventory. Nature Aquarium carries one of the largest ADA (Aqua Design Amano) selections in the region, alongside DOOA and UNS lines — brands that serious aquascapers specifically seek out. The plant selection spans tissue cultures, emersed potted plants, and various mosses.
Hardscape offerings include a curated range of stones and driftwood that customers describe as genuinely exciting to browse through. Livestock leans toward nano and community species suited for planted setups — endlers, butterfly loaches, shrimp, and other small fauna that complement an aquascaped environment. The shop also caters to the terrarium and vivarium crowd, stocking bog plants, tools, and reference books.
Multiple reviewers mention leaving with their first vivarium supplies after coming in just to look around. Toru is known for honest recommendations — one customer noted he talked them out of buying sand they didn't need rather than making an easy sale. The store is compact but densely stocked, and the immaculate tank maintenance sets it apart from most local fish shops.
A few visitors have noted inconsistent hours and occasional plant quality issues in the retail tanks versus the display setups, so calling ahead and inspecting purchases carefully is wise. But for anyone in the LA area pursuing aquascaping, planted tanks, or high-end freshwater setups, Nature Aquarium delivers a level of specialization and curatorial care that's genuinely hard to find.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Nature Aquarium in Culver City, CA
Nature Aquarium stocks shrimp, invertebrates, livebearers, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Culver City, CA. As a fish store serving Culver City, CA, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations and aquascaping.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- One of the largest ADA product selections in the Los Angeles area
- Stunning aquascaped display tanks showcasing expert-level planted setups
- Owner Toru brings 15+ years of specialized planted tank expertise
- Carries ADA, DOOA, and UNS brand equipment and tanks
- Curated hardscape selection including stones and driftwood for aquascaping
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I arrived ant 10 (thinking that’s when they aopened - yes I was wrong), but he still made me to wait outside until 10:30, only to be told they STILL don’t carry black worms. This is a recurring issue — consistently poor inventory and no accountability for customer time. Would not recommend.”
— Sam noise1.03 weeks ago“They had fish but the Owner was super Rude!! Won't be back.”
— Jacqueline Woll2.0a month ago“A total gem of a dedicated aquarium and planted tank shop in the region. Can’t say enough good things. Aquascapers haven. The owner Toru is extremely knowledgeable, kind, patient, and helpful. Can find things here that you can’t find in most places. The selection of fish is large and he stocks some unique ones you don’t see very often. Healthy stock. He’ll also tell you when new shipments are coming in or can custom order. Large selection of plants for aquascaping and fair prices on them. Large in vitro cups selection too which you rarely see asides from online. Hardscape is solid, but it’s a small shop so not a crazy amount of pieces to choose from, but some nice ones and they get restocked. His display tanks are awesome and good inspiration for design. Cool that he has some terrarium set ups too. Some prices are a little more on things than you’d find at very large stores (only one other in the LA area) but that’s to be expected with a small locally owned place and happy to pay a little more to help keep the doors open and have this place thrive. And have it as a resource. If you’re even a little interested in the planted tank, or aquascaping, or aquariums in general, go check it out. He’ll never pressure you to make a purchase or lead you on to things you might not need.”
— Nicholas P5.03 months ago“Pricy items, tanks were dirty. Not as I remembered them when they were at their other location.”
— usmc “Ar_2486” 3213.04 months ago“Once upon a time before Los Angeles traffic was this bad I used to go to their location in Santa Monica from my home in NELA. I got out of the hobby for a few years and when I got back in traffic seemed to have doubled so I didn’t go for a long long time. I was delighted to go in today to find the store is immaculate which can be said for a very few LFS. The owner is still one of the most knowledgeable planted tank experts. The selection is extremely well curated and elegant. Whether you are looking for a full set up hardscape or stock I wholeheartedly recommend you at least go for a visit to see how good it can be. Biggest ADA selection I’ve seen.”
— Hilary Asher (Silent Music Photography)5.02 weeks ago“Very friendly and knowledgeable owner, good prices for plants!”
— Stephanie Rivera5.03 weeks ago“amazing, i would go there everyday, great small business. has a lot of options, amazing guy. ❤️”
— Keyon Solamany5.05 months ago“Best small business in the world”
— Ethan Eghbali5.05 months ago“Very clean establishment, very good for all aquascaping needs”
— William The Wretched5.07 months ago“Truly awesome tanks with happy little critters and clearly made w lots of experience and love. Didn't realize I could get so excited picking out stones and sticks but this place managed to to do it for me 🤭”
— Ina Clavano5.08 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call +1 310-829-6180 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Nature Aquarium.