About
Tucked along the walk to the Santa Cruz harbor, Pet Shop Santa Cruz is a compact, family-run fish store that punches well above its square footage. Owner Aaron and his wife have built a loyal following over many years — some regulars drive in from as far as Gilroy — and the reason is clear the moment you step inside: this is a shop built on conversation, hands-on expertise, and genuine care for the animals behind the glass. The aquarium side leans freshwater and pond, with a selection of saltwater fish and live plants too, which makes "aquarium store" a fair label as well.
Customers report bringing home healthy neon tetras, shrimp, guppies, platies, and black mollies, with several noting their fish lived full lifespans. If you're hunting for planted-tank shrimp or livebearers for sale in Santa Cruz, CA, this is a dependable stop, and Aaron will track down a specific fish or supply when the small shop doesn't have it on the shelf. One longtime patron noted that everything is tested and healthy before it leaves the store.
Beyond the tanks sits an impressive collection of reptiles and exotic invertebrates — ball pythons, leopard geckos, garter snakes, and tarantulas among them — housed in naturalistic enclosures decorated with live plants. Lately the shop has leaned into that hands-on charm: a sidewalk sign invited one family in to cuddle a 19-year-old carpet python, another customer got set up with a beautiful Oregon red-sided garter snake, and Aaron even talked a caller through rescuing a snake from the road over the phone. What sets the place apart is the depth of knowledge Aaron shares freely and patiently, whether you're troubleshooting a stubborn fish tank, learning tarantula husbandry, or starting out with reptile keeping.
The shop also stocks feeder mice and rats at competitive prices, plus dog treats like duck heads and beef lung. It's small and jam-packed, with a lot crammed into a little space, but for personalized aquarium and reptile guidance in Santa Cruz, the big-box stores simply can't match it.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Pet Shop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA
Pet Shop Santa Cruz stocks shrimp, tetras, livebearers, betta fish, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Santa Cruz, CA. As an aquarium store serving Santa Cruz, CA, it also offers aquarium consultations and aquascaping.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run Santa Cruz shop owned by Aaron, specializing in freshwater, pond, and saltwater fish plus reptiles and tarantulas
- Customers report healthy, long-lived neon tetras, shrimp, guppies, platies, and mollies
- Naturalistic live-plant enclosures and hands-on encounters like cuddling a 19-year-old carpet python
- Owner sources specific livestock and supplies on request; stock tested healthy before release
- Feeder mice and rats at competitive prices, plus dog treats like duck heads and beef lung
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Aaron got my husband and son set up with a beautiful Oregon red sided garter snake. Knowledgeably, friendly, and enthusiastic atmosphere.”
— Theresa Simms5.02 months ago“Was super excited to come check this place out but upon entry was disappointed. It’s very cluttery, stuff stacked everywhere. The place smelled of reptile poop, the fish tanks were hella dirty with multiple tanks having dead and sick looking fish in them. The guy there got upset with me looking at and touching some containers. I brushed it off and proceeded to ask if he had tarantulas he said yes and said he had them in the back. He began talking about his family and when a moment opened up I asked what kind of tarantulas he had (That was my main reason for being there) and he said I can’t tell or show you unless I’ve known you for 6 or more months?!! Like WTH? Are you trying to make sales or not? The photos on this page are from years ago it looks nothing like this more cluttered and smelly. Every tank need attention and to have some cleaning done. He began saying it’s a family shop but there’s no employees, just one person who super vague rude and just gives off an all about weird vibe. I went to hopefully come back with a tarantula or 5, and left disappointed and empty handed. I even had to stop and ask my friend if I was tripping out and they agreed with me that the place was unkept and the person was oddly weird and vague. My recommendation is …Don’t bother.”
— Harleys Haven1.02 months ago“Shout out to the guy who answered the phone as I called in a panic because there was a snake in the road I was trying to save and all the animal control numbers weren’t working. We saved the snake! 🐍”
— Alana Helms5.02 months ago“Awesome people”
— J Vasquez5.03 months ago“We were walking by and randomly saw the sign inviting us to cuddle a snake. It was great. Owner was super friendly and really encouraging of both my daughters to hold a 19 year old Carpet Python. The kids were nervous at first, but then really loved it.”
— William Schroeder5.04 months ago“The best reptile shop in town!!! The owners are absolutely experts and always willing to share their wealth of knowlege. They not only want to give a good experience but remember all their customers (My brother and i switch off buying feeder mice so sometimes it will be a few months inbetween visits and they always remember me and ask how ive been). Plus small locally owned mom and Pop shop!! what more could you want???”
— Gabriel Forbes5.02 months ago“Great selection of reptiles, fish and equipment”
— Chris Meyer5.03 months ago“Went here with my friends to look at potentially buying fish for my college dorm. The owner immediately gave weird vibes when he told us not to harass the fish after I pointed at one of the tanks. He then proceeded to eye us the entire time and stare at us as if we were about to steal something. My friend was looking down at her phone, and he said "no photos" to her when it was very obvious she was not taking a photo. I understand caring for the business and the well-being of the fish, but the way he phrased things was very rude and impolite. On top of that, many of the fish, such as the guppies and platies, were sick with ick and other parasites, and I noticed multiple dead guppies in the tank. Tanks were crowded and inappropriately stocked, as multiple bettas were living in vases without filtration. One was in a cramped, flat tank that it could barely turn around in. I came to this place to look for fish, but the conditions and the owner quickly erased any interest I had in supporting this business. To anyone considering checking this place out, their pets are unhealthy and the owner is very strange, take your business elsewhere.”
— Nathan Park1.03 months ago“Small family owned shop. Aaron was such a genuine and knowledgeable person - truly a pleasure to speak with. You can tell they really care about their animals, will definitely come back! Worth the visit if you are in the area for a beach day.”
— Caroline Cencer5.07 months ago“Small family owned shop. Aaron was such a genuine and knowledgeable person - truly a pleasure to speak with. You can tell they really care about their animals, will definitely come back! Worth the visit if you are in the area for a beach day.”
— Caroline5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (831) 429-1242 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Pet Shop Santa Cruz.