Yo's Aquarium

Tucked into the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, Yo's Aquarium is a family-run shop that has served the neighborhood for decades, earning a reputation as a local institution among fishkeepers on the west side. The store is packed — sometimes chaotically so — with rows of tanks holding both freshwater and saltwater livestock that regularly surprises visitors with its depth and variety. Freshwater hobbyists will find everything from baby discus in multiple varieties to Green Terrors, Jurupari earth eaters, male guppies, and hardy tetras that customers report lasting for years.

The store also stocks rare and unusual species, including elusive Red and Blue killifish that catch the eye of seasoned collectors. On the saltwater side, reviewers consistently praise the health and appearance of the marine fish, with one reef keeper crediting Yo's for the success of their entire reef tank. Plants and accessories round out the inventory.

One customer's experience speaks volumes about livestock quality: after purchasing a Green Terror and later seven Jurupari over several visits, every fish ate the same night it arrived home and showed zero signs of stress, disease, or parasites — even the ones that skipped quarantine. That kind of consistency is hard to find at any price point, and Yo's prices are frequently cited as competitive with or cheaper than PetCo and PetSmart. The store is run by a small crew.

The younger staff member, Billy, draws consistent praise for friendliness and patience. The older shopkeeper — likely the longtime owner — divides opinion: some customers describe a knowledgeable master of his craft who offers honest, no-pressure advice, while others find him brusque. The shop itself is admittedly cramped and a bit rough around the edges, but for fishkeepers who prioritize healthy livestock and fair pricing over polished aesthetics, Yo's delivers.

It's a real neighborhood fish store in the truest sense — decades of experience crammed into every aisle.