Drysdale Aquarium Inc

Tucked away in Land O' Lakes, Florida, Drysdale Aquarium Inc. operates as a state-licensed aquaculture lab with a singular focus: corals, and lots of them. Owner Doug has built a reputation as one of the Tampa Bay area's top coral destinations, propagating an enormous variety of specimens in-house — from stunning zoanthid colonies and euphyllia that stop customers in their tracks to goniopora, hammers, and an impressive range of LPS, soft corals, and SPS frags.

The value here is hard to beat. One reviewer picked up a 20+ polyp Salted Agave Zoanthid colony for $100 — a fraction of what online retailers charge for just a couple polyps. Generous frag sizes at fair prices is a consistent theme across reviews, and Doug's coral health speaks for itself; multiple customers report excellent growth after bringing pieces home to their reef tanks.

This isn't a traditional fish store with rows of freshwater tanks and impulse-buy decorations. The inventory is laser-focused on saltwater reef keeping — corals, invertebrates, select saltwater fish, and essential supplies like IO salt (reportedly the lowest price around) and equipment from brands like IceCap. Doug also offers tank setup, installation, and maintenance services for hobbyists who want professional support for their systems.

What sets Drysdale apart is Doug himself. Reviewers consistently praise his willingness to share years of aquaculture expertise, even staying past closing time to walk customers through coral care and tank troubleshooting. He's responsive when issues arise and honest in his guidance — the kind of local fish store owner who builds long-term relationships with hobbyists who visit a couple times a month.

A few practical notes: this is a home-based operation with limited hours, so scheduling an appointment before visiting is wise. The intimate setting means personal attention, but it also means you won't find the polished showroom feel of a big-box pet store. For reef keepers in the greater Tampa area looking for propagated corals at honest prices backed by real expertise, Drysdale Aquarium is well worth the trip.