About
Set in Simi Valley, The Aquarium Connection is a family-owned aquarium store that fishkeepers happily drive 35 to 45 minutes to reach. The shop pairs a deep saltwater room of healthy marine fish and vibrant corals with a freshwater section known across Ventura County for its rare and oddball stock. Hobbyists come looking for pea puffers, neocaridina shrimp, colored lobsters, rainbowfish, and unusual finds you simply won't see at the chain stores; one reviewer visited four other shops the same day and only opened his wallet here.
Brackish species, snails, bettas, and freshwater oddities round out a selection of fish for sale in Simi Valley, CA that keeps regulars coming back. The plant wall is a highlight all its own, with a constantly restocked range of aquarium plants and manzanita driftwood for aquascaping. Whether you're stocking a first shrimp tank or a planted display, live plants, supplies, and dry goods are available in Simi Valley, CA alongside knowledgeable, no-pressure help.
That help is the store's signature. Keith is named again and again for his plant and tank expertise; Peter, Andrew, George, Justin, and Luz round out a crew that takes the time to teach. The owner is hands-on — one customer was asked to bring in a water sample for testing before buying, then walked through gravel vacuuming and water changes instead of being sold a quick fix.
Beginners setting up a first tank and 65-year-old saltwater veterans alike describe feeling at home. Beyond the retail floor, longtime tech Lynn runs an in-home tank maintenance and cleaning service, keeping residential and commercial systems — from a 350-gallon reef to a clinic lobby tank — running on a steady schedule. Recently remodeled, the store is described as beautiful, immaculately clean, and well worth the trip.
With consultation, tank setup, free water testing, and a genuine community-first feel, it's the kind of local aquarium store that turns first-time fishkeepers into lifelong hobbyists.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Aquarium Connection in Simi Valley, CA
The Aquarium Connection stocks corals, shrimp, rare and hard-to-find species, pufferfish, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & brackish fish for sale in Simi Valley, CA. As an aquarium store serving Simi Valley, CA, it also carries aquarium equipment and dry goods and offers tank maintenance, aquarium setup, tank cleaning, aquarium consultations, water testing and pond services.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Rare and oddball freshwater fish — pea puffers, neocaridina shrimp, colored lobsters, and rainbowfish — alongside saltwater fish and vibrant corals
- Standout, constantly restocked aquarium plant and manzanita driftwood selection for planted tanks and aquascaping
- Hands-on owner and named staff (Keith, Peter, Andrew, Luz) known for free water testing and patient, no-pressure guidance
- In-home tank maintenance and cleaning service run by Lynn for residential and commercial reef and freshwater systems
- Recently remodeled, immaculately clean store drawing customers from across Ventura County, some driving 35 to 45 minutes
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I really love this place, so I wanted to change my gold fish to a smaller fish, and the gentleman the owner of this place before selling me the new fish he asked me to bring some water that we can test it, and yeah I brought them some water for test and unfortunately my water was in bad shape so he guide me through the process and told me to do some water change and vacuum the gravel. Thank you so much sir for guiding me through the all process and I will 100% recommend this place for the fish lovers. ❤️”
— Masiullah Mehr5.04 days ago“Help through a rush to answer a question regarding my filtration went very in depth and showed me also great customer service”
— Marcos Frias5.0a week ago“Keith was knowledgeable and helped me get things for my parents fish tank. I moved away a few years ago and haven’t seen it since the remodel. The store is beautiful and the tanks are very impressive!”
— Ashley Combs5.02 weeks ago“Very helpful people! Keith helped me get my planted going!”
— Tyler Newton5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Found this store as my dog attends doggy daycare next door every Friday. Everyone there is knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I am new to the hobby and have tons of questions in which they answer in much detail. I have also taken my water to be tested multiple times without issue. I recently purchased fish from them and they are all healthy and thriving as of now. This store also has beautiful fish/tanks to just do a walk through and be in awe.”
— Marianne Ghattas-Ross5.03 weeks ago“Peter was great he helped us getting our fav coral and helping us find the best stuff!!! My fav fish store ever come here always!!!!”
— Jayden Colina5.03 weeks ago“The whole store is absolutely filled with amazing selection from plants, fish, and supplies. Every single staff member in the store is very knowledgeable and always try’s there best so you leave with exactly what you need. The plant selection is one my favorite parts of the store they always have a great stock. Every plant purchased here has had great success in my tank and gives a great environment for my fish. I can’t appreciate my local aquarium store enough”
— Chris Thompson5.0a month ago“Visited today after hearing good things and was unfortunately pretty disappointed. The store did have a nice variety of fish, including some species I don’t commonly see locally, and the rainbowfish selection looked especially nice. That said, I observed multiple tanks with dead fish, including the panda cory tank and another cory tank. The panda tank in particular had one active/healthy-looking panda, while most of the others appeared lethargic or unwell, along with a few dead tetras in the same system. I understand losses can happen in aquarium stores, but there were enough visible issues throughout the freshwater section that I ultimately didn’t feel comfortable purchasing fish today. Staff did eventually ask if I needed help, but overall the experience just didn’t match the reputation I had heard about. Hoping this was just an off day, because I’d love to support another local fish store.”
— Heather M3.0a month ago“Cleanest tanks around and biggest inventory!”
— Evan Garaway5.0a month ago“Very knowledgeable staff!”
— Roderick Bobadilla5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (805) 497-3444 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Aquarium Connection.