About
Tucked into Huntington Beach, Seaside Tropical Fish has been a fixture of the Southern California aquarium scene for decades — some customers claim over 30 years of loyalty to owner David and his crew. The store packs a serious inventory into a compact, intimate space, with clean, well-maintained tanks lining the aisles for both freshwater and saltwater enthusiasts. The saltwater selection is the main draw.
Reviewers consistently highlight healthy corals, frags, anemones, tangs, puffers, groupers, and angelfish like the coral beauty. David has hands-on experience helping customers build full reef tank setups from scratch, guiding them through equipment choices from brands like AI, Radion, and Bubble Magus, and stocking their tanks over time with carefully chosen livestock. If they don't have what you're looking for, they'll special order it.
Freshwater gets solid representation too. Staff member Briselda (also referred to as Briseyda or Griselda in reviews) earns particular praise for her deep knowledge of live aquarium plants — she's helped customers select species suited to specific setups like goldfish tanks, knowing exactly where everything is in the store. The shop also carries Aquatop all-in-one tank packages at competitive prices.
One unexpected touch: the store has a shark and stingray feeding experience for kids at just five dollars, making it a family-friendly destination that draws visitors from as far as Bakersfield. The bilingual staff (English and Spanish) adds to the welcoming atmosphere. A few customers have reported issues with fish health and parasites — a reminder that quarantine tanks are always good practice regardless of source.
But the overwhelming consensus across hundreds of reviews points to healthy livestock, fair pricing, and genuinely helpful staff. Santiago, Briselda, and David each get called out by name repeatedly for their patience and expertise. For Huntington Beach hobbyists building or maintaining a reef or freshwater setup, Seaside remains the local shop people keep coming back to.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Tank SetupConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Shark and stingray feeding experience for kids ($5)
- Owner David personally assists with full reef tank builds and stocking
- Strong coral and frag selection alongside saltwater fish like tangs, puffers, and angelfish
- Knowledgeable staff member Briselda specializes in live aquarium plants
- Carries premium equipment brands including AI, Radion, Bubble Magus, and Aquatop
From keepers
Customer reviews
“this is my go-to fish shop. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and they have a great selection of corals and fish. Thanks guys!”
— Toby Wilson5.0Edited 4 days ago“Excellent selection Great store with great selection and healthy fish”
— Rick Brown5.0Edited a month ago“Nice fish but they closed early and kicked us out. Lame. Muggy and cramped in there too. Overall meh”
— Matthew Abinante3.0a month ago“Great selection and even better price. The customer service was excellent. I will try to make it to that store more often.”
— David Keune5.0a month ago“Large selection and fair prices”
— Khanh Tran5.02 months ago“I've had nothing but healthy fish from this place, and the workers are great people as well. Recommend”
— Mac M5.02 months ago“Seaside Tropical Fish in Huntington Beach is fantastic! Their fish and corals are healthy, and their prices are very reasonable. I’m really glad I found this place. The owner and staff are incredibly kind and always willing to help with anything you need.”
— Sina Y5.02 months ago“Really cool spot, All the tanks were super clean & well maintained. They had an impressive variety of both freshwater & saltwater fish. Prices were solid too. Definitely a great little shop worth checking out.”
— Mark Shaver5.02 months ago“Such a wonderful fish store with a great selection. I also like to bring my little ones 1 and 4 to feed the sharks and sting rays for 5 dollars.”
— Kiwi5.03 months ago“I’ve been going to this fish store for a year, and I couldn’t be happier! The owners, David and his wife, are absolutely wonderful—always so kind and helpful. I bought my entire aquarium setup here, and ever since, it’s been the only place I go for all my fish supplies. There’s always new fish shipments. The fish look happy, and the tanks are spotless. The store is clean, organized, and you can tell they really care about what they do. I completely trust them and highly recommend this shop to anyone who loves fish or is just getting started in the hobby!”
— Mindy M.5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (714) 969-0491 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Seaside Tropical Fish.