About
Ocean Flower has been holding it down in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood for decades — a true mom-and-pop freshwater fish store run by a dedicated couple who've built a fiercely loyal following one healthy fish at a time. The shop is small and unassuming from the outside, with barred windows and a single door that's easy to walk past, but step inside and you'll find some of the best-kept tropical freshwater fish in the city. The survival rate of fish purchased here is a point of pride among regulars, and multiple customers cite it as the main reason they keep coming back.
Reviewers report keeping discus, angelfish, blue acara, guppies, cardinal tetras, black ghost knife fish, flowerhorns, and arowanas — all purchased healthy and thriving weeks later. One long-time customer bought roughly 50 fish over three years, including angelfish and blue acara that eventually spawned in their home tank. Bettas are a particular draw.
The owners keep an impressive collection tucked away in the back of the store, including rare koi bettas that you won't find on display — you have to ask. 50, and the koi varieties generate genuine excitement among those in the know. Cardinal tetras are available in bundles of 10, and the store carries a rotating stock of cichlids, barbs, gouramis, and livebearers.
The plant selection is modest but consistently healthy, and the shop carries a solid range of supplies including food, gravel, aerators, and aquarium kits. If they don't have what you need, the owner will order it for you. Prices across the board undercut the big box stores and even many local competitors.
Bring cash if you can — there's a $20 minimum for credit cards. The neighborhood is rough, but the warmth inside Ocean Flower is genuine. The owners greet customers like family, take care when bagging fish (adding bottled air, something most shops skip), and have earned the kind of loyalty that keeps people coming back for 35 years.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Rare koi bettas hidden in-store — ask the owners to see their collection
- Exceptionally high fish survival rate compared to other SF shops
- Cardinal tetra specials at 10 for $28
- Stocks arowanas, discus, angelfish, flowerhorns, and black ghost knife fish
- Family-run for decades with fiercely loyal customer base
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Hot my grogs from here and they are healthy and doing well”
— Desiree Weaver5.0a month ago“They may not have as many fish as other ships, but I’ve had really excellent survivor success rate with the fish I’ve purchased from this shop. Definitely try this place.”
— Anthony D5.02 months ago“I'm from out of town and saw this well reviewed shop so I decided to stop by and browse. I never made it into the store because there were so many homeless people laying on the a sidewalks. The closer I walked to the store the worse it got. I ended up bailing from only half a block away because it was getting too scary for me as a single lady and there weren't any clear paths through. I'm sure this store is great, but I would not have walked here had I known ahead of time how sketchy the neighborhood is. It's a shame, I hope the city does something about this because I'm sure I'm not the only customer that's been scared away by what's going on outside.”
— Barbara Blumenthal1.02 months ago“Bring cash. The fish these guys stock are in very good shape compared to other aquarium stores in the city. While they are priced higher you have an extremely high chance of the fish surviving compared to say 6th Avenue where it's honestly a coin flip whether it will survive. Unfortunately fewer varieties. They have very fancy bettas hidden in the store so check with them.”
— Jlan1235.04 months ago“Little tropical fish store in SF. Great prices. Healthy fish. Best looking koi Betta in town at great prices.”
— WillmSF4155.04 months ago“Maybe the one of the cleanest fish stores in the city. They sell a variety of fish like small barbs, flowerhorns, and arrowanas. My favorite is the cardinal tetra special 10 for $28. This neighborhood just got cleaned up by the mayor so it’s a decent walk through”
— Armando Esquerra5.05 months ago“I have a male 3spot blue gourami named [KINGBLUE🔵👑] 2 females a 3spot blue named (tigerblue💙) a opaline named (skyyblue💙) 4 blackskirt tetras and 1 single republican🚩 male festivum cichlid named {professor hector}”
— John Crute5.07 months ago“Went to get some fish today on my break. Was fast got my bowl, gravel, supplies and fish! Love it.”
— Serena Ramirez5.0a year ago“I’ve been coming to Ocean Flower for 3 years. Small shop with very healthy fish, decent plants and great prices. We’ve bought about 50 fish including discus, angelfish, blue acara, guppies and tetras. The angelfish and blue acara spawned too which is exciting. Rough neighborhood so give them some love.”
— Andrew Miller5.0a year ago“We've bought fish here a few times and have never been disappointed, the owners are decent, and the fish are healthy. I can recommend this place.”
— Sa Nja5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (415) 929-9286 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Ocean Flower.