About
High Tide Aquatics in Oakland is the kind of saltwater shop that makes people drive three hours each way and feel good about it. Owner Kenny has built something rare: a reef store where every fish goes through a rigorous, expert-level quarantine process before it ever reaches a customer's tank. This isn't a cursory observation period — reviewers reference the Humble Fish community's endorsement of his QT protocols, and customers consistently report zero disease issues with their purchases.
For reef keepers tired of rolling the dice on new additions, that peace of mind alone is worth the trip. The coral selection is the other major draw. High Tide carries a rotating variety of mostly captive-bred corals — Acropora, softies, and everything in between — at prices customers repeatedly call reasonable.
Regulars who visit monthly say they rarely see the same pieces twice, suggesting Kenny maintains strong wholesaler relationships and a steady pipeline of fresh stock. He'll also source specific livestock on request if it's not currently in the shop. Beyond corals and quarantined fish, High Tide stocks basic invertebrates, chaetomorpha for refugiums, RO water, premixed saltwater, and essential dry goods.
The store also ships fish, with reviewers praising mail-order clownfish — ocellaris and mocha varieties — that arrived healthy and are still thriving months later. The space itself is worth seeing. Kenny's display tanks are stunning showcases of what careful reef keeping looks like, and reviewers describe the shop as a genuinely inviting place to hang out and talk saltwater.
Kenny is clearly a hobbyist first, taking time with each customer to discuss livestock sourcing, tank health, and sustainable practices. He's even been known to point people toward other shops when their needs fall outside his saltwater focus. For the Bay Area reef community, High Tide Aquatics has become essential — a specialty store that treats fish health as non-negotiable and backs it up with results.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Full quarantine and treatment protocol on all fish, endorsed by the Humble Fish community
- Rotating selection of mostly captive-bred corals at competitive prices
- Ships quarantined fish including clownfish varieties like ocellaris and mocha
- Sells RO water and premixed saltwater for convenient pickup
- Stunning display reef tanks showcasing expert-level saltwater keeping
From keepers
Customer reviews
“10/10 a must visit. The display tank is amazing and a stunning example of what you can do when you properly look after your fish! A good selection of corals and inverts. The quarantined fish is a huge element of shopping here. Couldn't recommend Kenny any higher!!”
— Dom H5.0a week ago“Needs some corals? Check these out! Great saltwater, mostly coral selection.”
— Aaron Salisbury5.03 weeks ago“Always has nice coral and I would go to buy here again.”
— Lex Russell5.03 weeks ago“Best thing to happen for Reefing in the Bay, at least in my opinion. Healthy fish, healthy coral and great conversation. Acros I got settled in nicely and look amazing. This will be my go to LFS from now on, thanks for the great experience.”
— william gracia5.0a month ago“High tide aquatics kicks ass!”
— Greg Huffman5.0a month ago“Amazing (beautiful) store and so friendly!!”
— Cindy Green5.03 months ago“Ordered a pair of clowns from here a few months back. We wanted a normal ocellaris and a mocha. very accommodating. and clowns were quarantined. They are thriving. If your looking to find an online vendor who quarantines fish, I would 100% recommend.”
— Ana Ras5.05 months ago“Absolutely best store yet. All fish are quarantined to the highest level, check out humble fish about this store. Picked up some corals and a new clownfish for the tank!. Corals are well priced and all extremely healthy. Owner is cool and a true hobbyist. Highly recommend to stop by. The displays tank are great and if you're in the saltwater world I'm sure he has something you need!”
— Realone Revelations5.07 months ago“Owner is really helpful and even hook me up with some chaeto. Will be coming back for more corals.”
— Yuxuan Chen5.07 months ago“I drive 2hr round trip just for fish and inverts, worth it 100%”
— Carlos Javier5.08 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (341) 420-0200 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting High Tide Aquatics.