About
Bay Bridge Aquarium is the kind of old-school, owner-run shop that Bay Area fishkeepers once drove across town for, and these days it's freshwater that pulls people through the door. Recently relocated to a new spot on Filbert in Oakland, the store sits behind a nondescript entrance — more than one first-timer has admitted they thought they were walking into the back of an unfinished warehouse before the rows of tanks came into view. Look past the no-frills, warehouse feel and you'll find one of the better freshwater selections in the East Bay.
Owner Michael Wand quite literally lives and breathes the hobby. Regulars describe him as endlessly patient, generous with what he knows, and able to walk you through advanced concepts in a way that actually sticks — everything from cycling a first tank to how many of a given species should be kept together, what size they max out at, and how to scrape algae off the glass with a blade. First-time betta owners credit him with steering them toward the right preset 77-degree heater and a proper care routine before they ever brought a fish home.
The shop is known for hard-to-find freshwater fish you won't see at the big chains: rarer Corydoras, Bumblebee Otos, and plenty of nano fish, alongside staples like bettas, pearl gourami, and leopard and zebra danios for sale in Oakland, CA. Live aquatic plants are a genuine strength and refreshingly well priced, and there's a deep bench of hardscape, aquascaping supplies, equipment, dry goods, and fish food to finish out a build. Shrimp, snails, and other freshwater invertebrates turn up in the mix too.
For Oakland aquarists hunting quality freshwater livestock and real, in-person expertise, this fish store remains a destination worth the drive. Walk in with a stack of questions — or photos of your tank — and you'll leave knowing more than when you came.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Bay Bridge Aquarium in Oakland, CA
Bay Bridge Aquarium stocks rare and hard-to-find species, betta fish, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Oakland, CA. As a fish store serving Oakland, CA, it also carries aquarium equipment and dry goods and offers aquarium consultations and fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Michael Wand is a lifelong hobbyist known for patient, in-depth advice — from cycling a first tank to species' adult size and stocking limits
- Strong selection of hard-to-find freshwater fish, including rarer Corydoras, Bumblebee Otos, and nano species you won't find at chain stores
- Well-priced live aquatic plants plus hardscape and aquascaping supplies for planted-tank builds
- Recently relocated to a new Filbert Street location in Oakland with a no-frills, warehouse-style space
- Deep stock of aquarium equipment, dry goods, bettas, and freshwater invertebrates like shrimp and snails
From keepers
Customer reviews
“They are the best. SO helpful. I have bought many things there but also come in with so many questions and shown videos of my fish and they have always helped me. Thank you! And support small businesses!”
— debi alley5.03 days ago“Not sure what happened to this place, but it no longer looks like the pictures of a clean, organized shop with healthy fish. It looks sketchy in an already sketchy spot. Don’t think I’d come back here again, especially with those astronomical prices.”
— Just Judy1.02 weeks ago“This amazing fish shop is actually a "hole in the wall". You wouldn't know it's there. I actually had to Google nearby fish shops to discover this place. I'm glad I did! When you first walk in, don't be off-put by the mess. You can find everything that you need here. I found an automatic feeder that I needed for our Hawaiian trip in July”
— ERH B5.03 weeks ago“I don't understand all the 5 stars reviews. This shop is is like a furniture warehouse.only few tanks of don't know what and few tanks of water plants.”
— Carl C1.04 weeks ago“I had a great experience with Bay Bridge Aquarium. Their shipping is incredibly fast — my order went out the same day. I ordered TurboStart 700, and it arrived packaged with a cooling pack to keep it at the proper temperature, which I really appreciated. They also included helpful extra instructions, and when I had a question, they responded quickly and were very helpful over Facebook. You can tell they really care about their customers and the quality of what they’re sending out. I’ll definitely be ordering from them again.”
— KKD Dennis5.0a month ago“Really expensive compared to other in person stores and not the healthiest fish (looks like ich)”
— Y3.02 months ago“I think the seemingly ocd owner quite literally lives and breathes aquarium fish. So this is the kind of place you need to head to if you seek quality of information and exceptional selection. The owner is generous in sharing what he knows, even showing me how to feed (my overly pampered) fish and clean the algae with a blade. And it's always enjoyable to learn so much and vibe off of truly-passionate people. 🙏 🐟”
— Anita5.02 months ago“I’m originally from the Bay Area and now living in Western New York, and I’ve been looking for a reliable source for FritzZyme Turbo Start 700 (Freshwater). It is surprisingly difficult to find a seller who understands the importance of shipping this specific product with a cold pack to keep the beneficial bacteria alive. This was my first time ordering from you, and I am beyond impressed. The product arrived in two days, exactly as advertised. Most importantly, the cold pack was still cold upon arrival, ensuring the product's quality wasn't compromised during transit. I appreciate the detailed information that came with this product as well. It's clear you take product integrity seriously. I’m very happy with this experience and will definitely be back. Thank you for the professional service!”
— HoboBob5.02 months ago“I had a disappointing experience with Bay Bridge Aquarium. I placed and paid for an order of live fish with Priority Overnight shipping, expecting delivery within their stated shipping window. After receiving a delivery estimate, the package never arrived. I later contacted the business and was informed that my fish had been sold to another customer, and my order was not shipped while they waited to restock—without any communication to me. I was not notified of any delay, cancellation, or inventory issue, despite my card being charged. I had to reach out myself to get an update. I canceled the order and requested a refund. The situation was handled without acknowledgment of the inconvenience. This experience reflects a lack of communication and order fulfillment reliability. Buyers should proceed with caution. Update reply 04/07/26 Thank you for your response and clarification. I understand that inventory can be difficult to manage with live fish. However, my concern is not about stock challenges—it is about communication and order handling. From a customer standpoint, I placed an order, received a delivery estimate, and saw a charge on my card, which reasonably indicated the order was moving forward. To clarify, my card was in fact charged, and the funds were only returned after I canceled the order—this was not just a temporary authorization hold. At no point was I notified that the fish were unavailable or that the order would not be shipped as expected. I only received that information after reaching out myself days later, which is the primary issue. Clear and proactive communication would have prevented this situation entirely. I appreciate your apology, but I am simply sharing my experience so there is a clear and accurate understanding of what occurred.”
— J C1.0Edited 2 months ago“Wasn't fully setup when I visited. Heavy into saltwater fish very light on freshwater fish. Looks like it will be well stocked with equipment and supplies. Near a large pot dispensary so be careful driving there. Staff was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Well that was 7 years ago, today April 2026 the shop has moved to Filbert and still has the unfinished warehouse feel. Almost no saltwater fish, I'm not even sure if they sell them though there are some displayed. Selection of Freshwater fish and plants is good with lots of equipment and aquascaping supplies.”
— peter stevenson4.0Edited 2 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (877) 809-4067 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Bay Bridge Aquarium.