Aquatic Collection in Hayward, California has earned its reputation as one of the Bay Area's premier saltwater and freshwater fish stores through sheer volume of livestock and a coral selection that reviewers consistently call enormous. Walk in and you'll find row after row of well-maintained tanks — saltwater setups brimming with angelfish like blue face angels and majestic angels, alongside live rock, invertebrates, starfish, snails, and crabs. The coral section alone draws hobbyists from out of town who don't have anything comparable near them.
The freshwater side holds its own. Reviewers mention picking up frontosas, kuhli loaches, habrosus corydoras, emerald eye rasboras, and platys, with live plants and live brine shrimp bagged and ready to go. Betta keepers appreciate that staff will actually steer them toward more affordable food options rather than upselling.
Group pricing on smaller fish — like five kuhli loaches for twenty dollars — is a nice touch that encourages stocking a proper school. Owners Carson and Joe have built a store that also functions as a serious online operation. They sell through eBay and their own website, shipping saltwater angelfish and anemones across the country with careful packaging and solid communication via Facebook Messenger.
When a UPS delay during the California wildfires killed a shipped majestic angel, they sent a replacement at no cost — the kind of gesture that builds lasting trust. Prices land somewhere between fair and slightly high depending on what you're after, but the store runs periodic sales and maintains a loyalty rewards program that long-time customers genuinely appreciate. One reviewer has shopped here for over a decade and says they've never felt overcharged.
Water testing is available before purchases, and a weekly newsletter lists new livestock arrivals. The store stocks quality equipment and supplies up front — Red Sea tank owners will find what they need — and the staff's knowledge, while occasionally inconsistent between employees, is generally strong. For the sheer breadth of what's swimming in those tanks, Aquatic Collection is a destination worth the drive.
Aaron Salisbury
26 reviews
Great selection of fish. Especially saltwater. Even better selection of corals. Front end has good, quality products as well!
Diana Yang
44 reviews
First time here today. I have been looking for an excuse to start up the 100 gallon again. Had a great time just browsing. All the fish looked active and healthy. There was so much stock. They had a huge SAE in the back that was beautiful. The person at the front also advised me to buy a less expensive food item for my betta instead of the one I was going to buy.
Robert Lau
7 reviews
Aquatic Collection has very healthy fish and corals. The service is terrific. All the staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The two owners, Carson and Joe are very accommodating and provided me with excellent customer service.
Ryan’s Reptiles
8 reviews
Purchased a blue face angelfish through ebay, the fish arrived extremely healthy and eating right away. Price was fair, shipping was fast and packaged extremely well. 100% would recommend.
Anoop Mt
31 reviews
We had a lot of baby platy fish and our tank was too small. PetSmart and Petco couldn’t help, but Aquatic Collection was amazing — they kindly accepted our fish and were very helpful and friendly. Really appreciate their support.
Jun Valenzuela
148 reviews
Large selection of livestock and plants. Lots of unique fish. They have well kept, clean tanks. If you're into salt water setups, they have a ton of tanks with fish, live rock, and corals. I bought a couple of freshwater fish and they've been doing well. I'll be going back for more fish and plants. They're very friendly and helpful too.
Nathan Valenzuela
62 reviews
Wide variety of fish and fish supplies. They probably have everything you need. Cool displays and friendly staff. Already came back for another trip to the fish store.
Shantelle Maldonado-Willis
5 reviews
I shopped at this aquarium for the last 2 years. Every time I go & ask questions I get different answers from different employees. So much so I just try to ask the manager who has been there since I started shopping there in hopes of getting accurate information. Last Sunday 10/19 I purchased a flagfin angel, a starfish and two snails, & a coral. I had my water tested before I purchased the fish as I alway do to make sure it is safe to add more fish. My water parameters were fine & I was told it was fine to add more fish. 3 days later my flagfin fish was dead. I called the store today as this is the second time I purchased a fish from them and it was dead within a couple of days. I answered all do the troubleshooting question only for them to say I don’t know why your fish just died but there is nothing we can do about it. Basically oh well it’s just apart of buying fish. As a customer of the last two years this is terrible customer service and very dismissive. It is clear it is only about the money at this shop.
Eric c Santos jr
39 reviews
They have a huge variety of salt water and fresh water fish here. Also when they bag the fishes, they put oxygen for the fish to stay alive longer in the bag. Great customer service.
ATA RAHMAN
7 reviews
Great collection of fresh and salt water fishes and supplies.
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (510) 259-6280 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquatic Collection.
Phone
(510) 259-6280Website
www.aquaticcollection.com/Address
1212 West Winton Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545
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1212 West Winton Avenue
February 8, 2026
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