About
Fintastic Fish is a small, independent freshwater fish store in Scotts Valley, CA, tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains and known for drawing hobbyists from San Jose, Watsonville, and across the greater Bay Area. It earned its reputation as a true local fish store — the kind of neighborhood shop aquarists make a special drive to support instead of heading to a big-box chain. The shop is best known for its live aquatic plants and freshwater livestock.
Customers consistently praise the vibrant, healthy plant selection, which can be hard to find at other stores in the area, alongside a rotating variety of freshwater fish for sale in Scotts Valley, CA. Bettas are a signature here — visitors have called it "Betta Central," praising bettas kept in proper, planted tanks rather than cups. Fancy goldfish keepers come for orandas and other fancy goldfish, and the store has a track record of quarantining fish before they go up for sale, a practice reviewers credit for the healthy stock they bring home.
Beyond livestock, Fintastic Fish carries Aquarium Co-op products, frozen foods like brine shrimp, dry foods, and the everyday tank supplies, live plants, and invertebrates — including shrimp — that local keepers need. Staff have long been described as knowledgeable and generous with their time, happy to walk customers through new tank setups, troubleshoot problems, and help first-timers get an aquarium running. The store has recently changed ownership.
For anyone searching for healthy freshwater fish, aquatic plants, or bettas available in Scotts Valley, CA, Fintastic Fish remains the area's dedicated independent shop — a compact store focused on freshwater aquatics rather than a general pet store, and an easy reason to keep aquarium dollars local in Santa Cruz County.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fintastic Fish in Scotts Valley, CA
Fintastic Fish stocks betta fish, goldfish, invertebrates, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Scotts Valley, CA. As a fish store serving Scotts Valley, CA, it also carries fish food and offers aquarium consultations, aquarium setup and fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Standout selection of vibrant live aquatic plants for planted freshwater tanks
- Known as 'Betta Central' — bettas kept in proper planted tanks, plus fancy goldfish like orandas
- Fish quarantined before going up for sale, which regulars credit for healthy stock
- Carries Aquarium Co-op products, frozen brine shrimp, and everyday freshwater tank supplies
- Independent shop drawing freshwater hobbyists from San Jose, Watsonville, and the Bay Area
From keepers
Customer reviews
“****edited**** I came into Fintastic knowing that ownership had changed but I was honestly flabbergasted to see how downhill this place went so quickly. Every tank was dirty and some of the fish looked sick. It went from being a place worth going out of ur way for but now it is an extremely average sort of run down fish store. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! I wish the new owners would have kept the original practices of the store but it seems they have more than failed to do so. I can only hope they see the new reviews from old regulars and go back to maintaining some of the best fish practices I had seen (especially locally). Fintastic, there was a point where I was a weekly customer. Now I do not plan on returning unless practices change severely and I can see other people feel the same. Below is my original 5 STAR review that I no longer stand by under the new ownership: The fish here are always so happy and taken care of, some of the most well treated I've seen in a store. Wide selection and varieties always changing of healthy fish and plants. Devon and all of the staff here are super kind, knowledgeable and always happy to help.Since starting to come here I've become a regular and am highly unlikely to purchase fish or supplies elsewhere. So incredibly happy to have a store like this in the area, but honestly fintastic fish would be worth a drive.”
— Alysha Galotta2.0Edited 2 weeks ago“Terrible place went downhill staff not the same .”
— PMP1.03 weeks ago“Small store, not a lot of fish in stock - not even Goldie's, nor do they have a lot of decor for tanks besides rock + wood. So I was a bit disappointed. Maybe took me 3 mins to see everything. I will keep them in mind if I need any basics though!”
— Tater Mae4.03 weeks ago“This place was my go to for anything fish related. I was sad to hear ownership was changing. Went by one day it was closed some of the fish in the outside tank had died. Came back another day, I was greeted once I came in, looked around a bit just needed supplies, not sure what happen but what I thought was the employee was helping another customer so I waited at checkstand. Turns out the 2 customers were friends and even after walking past me waiting to take a call didnt get any service. I just left such a sad state now. You will be missed”
— Hector Gonzales1.03 weeks ago“Under the old owner this place was literally fantastic. However with the new owners it seems to have been closed since it changed hands. Personally i loved this store. And its very sad to see it closed all the time. The hours and days ive dropped by should be during normal hours but nope still closed lights off. I feel bad for the fish still in this store.”
— brett rogers1.03 weeks ago“Didn’t have the greatest experience with staff. Had higher expectations with all the reviews. Hopefully they get better with time.”
— Missy1.02 months ago“This is a good store ov hade good luck with them iv yet try out the plants but thay take good care of thate fich”
— Mary Rust5.02 months ago“Got the healthiest lil chubby panda oranda from here and hes doing awesome. I absolutely love this lil shop and can't wait to get him a buddy once my 100 g is set up. I've been working in aquatics for decades and miss it. Was lovely to see one local. Thank you so much 💓 I have 2 ponds outside and 5 indoor tanks. Not everyonesb a hobbyist but for us that are, its awesome to see others who love fish and reptiles and such. (( I have old and new world tarantulas, cock roaches, fish tanks, snakes and geckos)) Yay for a fish store”
— Gemma Locatelli5.03 months ago“Betta Central! Beautiful, healthy Bettas. All fish are quarantined before being put up for sale to insure healthly fish. Amazingly knowledgeable staff. A treat to visit.”
— Sarah Altmeyer5.03 months ago“This is our second time driving from Watsonville. Fintastic fish offers a great variety of fish and their staff is friendly and knowledgeable. All the fish look like they are thriving and in great conditions. We love all the plant selections and their prices are really reasonable. We will make the drive for our tanks future needs.”
— Claudia Perez5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (831) 316-3424 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fintastic Fish.