About
Underwater Depot has been a Sherman Oaks fixture since the early 1990s, and some of its most loyal customers have been walking through the door for over 15 years. Owned by Chris and Armand, this compact shop on Ventura Boulevard packs a surprising amount into a modest footprint — freshwater tropicals, saltwater fish, corals, live plants, nano tanks, and a solid wall of supplies and accessories. The store's reputation rests heavily on its staff's willingness to slow customers down and do things right.
Multiple reviewers describe being talked out of premature purchases — told to wait an extra week for their tank to cycle before adding shrimp, or walked through proper setup steps before spending a dime. That kind of patience is rare in retail. They'll discuss local water quality, recommend bacterial treatments for new tanks, and even advise you that your shrimp can live off tank algae before upselling you on specialty food.
Freshwater appears to be the core of the operation, with a healthy selection of community fish, Cory catfish, shrimp (including assassin snails for pest control), and live plants. The saltwater side is smaller but present, with corals that reviewers note are quality specimens, if a bit steep in price. Nano tank setups are well-represented for apartment dwellers across the San Fernando Valley.
Beyond retail, Underwater Depot offers weekly tank cleaning and maintenance services for homes and businesses — a genuine convenience for customers who want a beautiful aquarium without the hands-on commitment. The shop is consistently described as clean and well-organized, with clear labels and pricing. It's worth noting that a handful of reviews report issues with sick fish and plant quality, and at least one customer had a frustrating refund experience.
But the overwhelming majority of the store's 200-plus reviews praise the honesty and expertise of the team. For Sherman Oaks fish keepers looking for a neighborhood shop that prioritizes doing things correctly over making a quick sale, Underwater Depot delivers.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Staff actively advises patience with tank cycling rather than rushing fish sales
- Weekly home and business tank cleaning and maintenance services
- Strong nano tank selection ideal for small-space setups
- Both freshwater and saltwater fish with quality coral specimens
- Long-established Sherman Oaks shop with owners Chris and Armand on-site
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I am going to this store since 1992. Awesome place.”
— Leo Shany5.02 weeks ago“I had a great experience visiting the store. They were very helpful and kind. I’m new to having anything to do with aquariums. I asked a lot of questions and felt like they were genuinely trying to help. No one pressured me into buying things I didn’t need. I’m definitely going my back to get my shrimp!”
— bridgette boone5.03 weeks ago“This Aquarium Store is AMAZING. What a special find for me. The entire store is filled with beautiful fish and awesome start up aquariums. The owner Chris is great, so are All of his staff. This shop and team really do an amazing job to help you and get you going in the right direction. This company offers weekly cleaning, where they come to your home or place of business to ensure the fish and aquarium are up to Par. Thank you Chris and all employees!!!!”
— Joshua M5.02 months ago“Nice place! Lots of fish selection, fair pricing, helpful staff, and the had assasin snails! Definitely worth the stop”
— Laura Oden5.04 months ago“I can’t express how much I love this place! Every one in here always has such kind and friendly energy and they’re very knowledgeable, the store is so clean and organized which is extremely helpful because they have probably everything you could need for your aquarium and out of all the stores I’ve been too this store has the healthiest and happiest fish I’ve seen! You can tell this store is ran by people who love their job and also have a passion for fish. If you’re a fish enthusiast or just getting into the hobby this is definitely a great place to start and a good home base store to always keep coming back to!”
— Keyona Littleton (Lulu)5.06 months ago“The young lady at the register was super nice and helpful to me and crew!”
— Aqua Biz Inc.5.06 months ago“I love this place, I come here all the time, the staff is always so helpful and polite, and prices aren’t too bad,would definitely recommend.”
— Arthur Krtotyan5.06 months ago“I noticed the roots on the live plants I purchased looked disintegrated as soon as I brought them home and took them out of the casing. I immediately called and was told "it is normal, any issues call us back". Within 9 days they all died, water turned black, they were clearly diseased. I called them a dozen times over a 3 week period - was promised a 50% refund. The owner dodged my calls for the 3 weeks, refused to call me back, and of course I never received the 50% refund. He was willing to be a coward over $35. I should have spoken to my buddy beforehand, he is an avid aquarium hobbyist and he told me he avoids Underwater Depot as he once received a shellfish with shell rot. He directed me to Mark's Tropical Fish - Much cleaner, much more honest, and best of all, their living merchandise thrives longer than 10 days! It's been 5 months, and my tank is flourishing. Unless you like playing doctor to sick and diseased plants and animals, I recommend staying clear of this place.”
— Emeris Pendragon1.07 months ago“Very helpful people”
— Cristina Dinu5.08 months ago“Have been going here for over 15+ years and never fails me.”
— Jerry Arko4.09 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (818) 789-7323 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Underwater Depot.