The Deep

Tucked into Redding, California — a town where local fish stores are a rare find — The Deep has become the go-to aquatic shop for hobbyists across the northern Sacramento Valley. Owned and operated by Mike and Lanee, this mom-and-pop establishment punches well above its weight with a surprisingly broad inventory spanning both freshwater and saltwater species, live corals, aquatic plants, and a hardscape selection that reviewers call the best in town. Mike's encyclopedic knowledge is the store's biggest draw.

Customers routinely describe him identifying mystery shrimp species from photos, walking first-time tank owners through complete setups, and fielding ongoing questions about tank maintenance long after the sale. When a customer ordered short-body Green Texas cichlids, the fish arrived healthy and more affordable than online alternatives. Mbunas, clown loaches, a variety of eels, and an impressive assortment of snails in different colors and shapes fill the freshwater side, while saltwater enthusiasts find corals and marine fish well-represented.

Malaysian mangrove driftwood and quality rocks round out the décor options, consistently praised as superior to big-box offerings. The Deep operates on a special-order model that keeps customers coming back: if something isn't in stock, Mike will source it. He's sold everything from 75-gallon freshwater setups to specialty tanks, and multiple reviewers note he'll recommend products he doesn't even carry if they're the better fit — a refreshing level of honesty.

One customer recounted Mike giving away a similar feeder product for free when their preferred brand was out, tossing in bonus snails for good measure. The shop is small and unpolished — nobody's coming for the interior design. A handful of reviewers have noted dead fish in freshwater tanks, and some purchased fish haven't thrived.

8 rating speaks to a store where genuine expertise, fair pricing, and personal care define the experience. For Redding's aquarium community, The Deep is the real deal.