--- type: store name: "LAX Aquarium" city: "Los Angeles" state: "CA" rating: 4.4 reviews: 421 url: https://www.fishstores.org/california/los-angeles/lax-aquarium --- # LAX Aquarium Fish store in Los Angeles, California - **Address**: 5310 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90045 - **Phone**: (310) 641-4664 - **Website**: [www.laxaquarium.com/](http://www.laxaquarium.com/) - **Rating**: 4.4/5 (421 reviews) - **Online Store**: Yes ## Hours | Day | Hours | | --- | --- | | Monday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Thursday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Friday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Saturday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | | Sunday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM | ## About Walking into LAX Aquarium near Los Angeles International Airport feels less like entering a fish store and more like stepping into a private public aquarium. The back room houses a jaw-dropping display tank with sharks, stingrays, octopi, lionfish, and moray eels — the kind of livestock most shops wouldn't dare attempt. The main retail floor is dark and moody, deliberately kept dim to control algae, giving the coral displays an almost nightclub glow that customers either love or find disorienting. This is overwhelmingly a saltwater operation. The coral selection is extensive and runs on a unique system: frags are displayed on the floor with QR codes you scan to purchase, and new high-demand shipments sometimes go to online bidding before they hit the retail floor — a practice that frustrates walk-in shoppers but speaks to the quality of what they're sourcing. Clownfish, tangs, foxfaces, dwarf angels, mandarin gobies, dottybacks, and damsels rotate through clean, well-maintained tanks at a rapid clip. Freshwater inventory, by contrast, is minimal and an afterthought by most accounts. The staff, particularly owner Chris, Jesus, and Jasmine, earn consistent praise for their livestock knowledge. Multiple reviewers describe being talked out of incompatible fish purchases — a rarity in the hobby. One customer credited Chris's guidance with successfully building a thriving 65-gallon saltwater setup without expensive controller systems like the Neptune Apex. The store also offers tank setup services, with at least one reviewer reporting next-day home installation and a follow-up stocking visit a week later. Equipment repair is available as well. Pricing runs on the higher side — a frequent note across reviews — though regular sales and buy-two-get-two promotions soften the blow. The store also features an unexpected family-friendly bonus: a free arcade in the back with claw machines offering gift certificates. For Los Angeles saltwater hobbyists, LAX Aquarium combines serious coral inventory, responsible fish-selling practices, and a spectacle-level display tank that makes it worth the drive — even if you're just there to look. ## Specializations - **Water Types**: Saltwater, Freshwater - **Livestock & Products**: Corals, Reef, Anemones, Clownfish, Tangs, Invertebrates, Live Rock, Aquarium Equipment - **Services**: Tank Setup, Tank Maintenance, Equipment Repair, Consultation, Online Store, Quarantine - **Known For**: Premium Equipment, Knowledgeable Staff, Beginner Friendly, Great Selection, Healthy Fish ## Highlights - Massive display tank featuring sharks, stingrays, octopi, lionfish, and eels - In-store arcade and game room for families with kids - QR-code coral purchasing system on the frag floor - Extremely clean and odor-free facility near LAX airport - Online bidding system for new high-end coral shipments ## Brands Carried Apex ## Customer Reviews **"Liam Gersten"** - 5/5 - Edited 16 hours ago > Despite all of the touristy places I could take family to when they visit, I strangely find myself wanting to bring them here. Sharks, stingrays, octopi, lionfish, eels, this place is comparable to a public aquarium, and it’s probably why I find myself there frequently just to look at the fish. Nobody says no to a saltwater tank store with a restaurant + game room 5 minutes from the airport. This was the 9th place I’d been to around LA looking for a tank. One month later and I have a thriving 65 gallon saltwater tank filled with fish and invertebrates. It takes a certain level of restraint for a business to tell me to slow down and be patient on buying up their fish too quickly. I also don’t feel pressured into buying an Apex system or other over-the-top equipment for a tank my size. I respect their knowledge of my setup and compatible fish species, and have been stopped from buying certain fish before by Chris and one other employee because they were incompatible with my inhabitants or size. I’m confident enough with this store to hold off on getting a quarantine tank, since I’ve seen firsthand how a sick fish was quarantined and cared for. The fish turnover rate here is incredible, every time I visit there are new options. Another underrated thing that took me a while to realize is how unbelievable sanitary and smell-free the place is (other aquatic stores in LA PLEASE take note). **"Amir"** - 4/5 - 4 weeks ago > So big so many options but expensive but there clown fish and blue tang were cool **"Bangalore Bengals"** - 3/5 - a month ago > Store feels like a disco walking in very dark I guess to keep the algae from growing from the light . Impressive corals you have to scan a code on the floor to buy you can’t just pick one tanks were clean and fish looked healthy my only complaint is the people who helped me really gave me very little information on the species I got. Like mandarin gobies eat copepods Spanish dancers eat sponges which are not common foods to get and anemones will kill your fish unless their clowns. They need rock work to attach an need a lot of flow so the things I got ended up dying. Well stocked store for its size but being so close to the airport and the marine wholesalers that is not reflected in savings on their prices in fact and distance I think is a real negative I also hear from others it’s not worth the trip and not enough information on stuff their selling from staff. But otherwise nice store **"Mac M"** - 5/5 - 2 months ago > Kinda pricey but honestly it's a great shop. You can tell the owner loves this hobby/business and does it well. Everything is very detailed and maybe that's why the price reflects that but either way worth every penny. **"Lisa Robert"** - 5/5 - 3 months ago > My husband and I started with a small 10 gallon aquarium, and have now worked ourselves up to a 50 gallon tank. The staff and Owner are amazing! They have so much information to give, they work with you, and have great prices. I don’t shop anywhere else! Added bonus… they have an arcade in the back they have three different games that are free. Play to keep the kids occupied while you shop. They also have grabber machines that have fun prizes, and gift certificates for the store. **"John"** - 3/5 - 4 months ago > They’ve got good corals/anemone most of the time and I used to come here often…but I will not be coming here anymore. When they get a shipment of new stuff they will not sell it regardless if you’re there in person to buy it because they want to do online bidding which I understand bc they can potentially get more money for the stuff they’re selling but this is now the 3rd time I’ve come in..in a row where they will not sell me anything and I have to go online and compete with other people…even though I’m literally in the store ready to buy something. So ya…will not be coming here anymore. But they do have a good selection most of the time which is why I gave it 3 stars. **"Zen G"** - 4/5 - 4 months ago > Very modern & impressive aquarium store with plenty shopping options, amazingly large viewing tank in backroom, & knowledgeable well oriented staff with pleasant demeanor. Prices are bit high but savvy shoppers can join email /text list for notice of very worthwhile regular sales👌 **"Luiz Gonzalez"** - 5/5 - 4 months ago > The staff was fantastic, extremely patient. I walked in for a foxface, they informed me of their buy 2 get 2 special and left with 4 fish. The regal, chocolate tang, magnificent foxface and half black dwarf angel are all doing great! **"Roozbeh Farahanipour"** - 5/5 - Edited 4 months ago > I recently visited LAX Aquarium and it’s truly a fantastic destination for anyone passionate about marine life. The staff were wonderfully nice and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and guide me through their impressive offerings. I was thrilled to browse their wide variety of fish—everything from vibrant clownfish, damsels, and dottybacks to more exotic creatures like sharks and rays. Their selection of livestock is consistently fresh and healthy, with many customers praising the quality of their corals and fish Wheree Top Rated . One reviewer mentioned walking into the store felt like “walking into a beautiful dream,” which speaks volumes about the care they put into their displays. Not only is the store visually appealing and well-organized, but it’s also positioned in an incredibly convenient location—just minutes from LAX—making it an ideal stop for locals and visitors alike. In short, LAX Aquarium delivers: Friendly, expert staff who genuinely understand and love what they do Impressive selection, including popular favorites and rarer species like sharks and rays High-quality, healthy livestock that customers trust and appreciate Beautiful, inviting atmosphere—a pleasure to browse and explore This place isn't just a fish store—it’s an experience. Highly recommended for aquarium hobbyists, families looking for a unique outing, or anyone intrigued by marine creatures! **"Shane Clark"** - 5/5 - 5 months ago > Kris at LAX Aquarium is the best! We wanted a cool fish tank and he delivered. He came to our house the next day and set it up. Came back one week later to make sure everything was great and stocked our aquarium. Kris is very friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable about everything you need to know. We can't recommend him and LAX Aquarium enough!! ## Nearby Stores - [Bob's Tropical Fish](https://www.fishstores.org/california/los-angeles/bobs-tropical-fish) - Los Angeles, CA - 4.8/5 - [Tokyo Aquarium](https://www.fishstores.org/california/los-angeles/tokyo-aquarium) - Los Angeles, CA - 4.6/5 - [Yo's Aquarium](https://www.fishstores.org/california/los-angeles/yos-aquarium) - Los Angeles, CA - 4.2/5 - [Aquarium Specialties](https://www.fishstores.org/california/redding/aquarium-specialties) - Redding, CA - 5.0/5 - [Art’s Underwater Reef](https://www.fishstores.org/california/pasadena/arts-underwater-reef) - Pasadena, CA - 5.0/5 - [Fintastic Fish](https://www.fishstores.org/california/scotts-valley/fintastic-fish) - Scotts Valley, CA - 5.0/5 --- *Source: [FishStores.org](https://www.fishstores.org/california/los-angeles/lax-aquarium)* *Last updated: February 8, 2026*