About
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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- State-licensed aquaculture lab propagating all corals in-house
- Massive zoanthid variety from generics to high-end named polyps
- Exceptionally competitive pricing — 20+ polyp zoa colonies for $100
- Extensive LPS, SPS, soft coral, and euphyllia selection
- Owner Doug provides hands-on consultation and after-hours assistance
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I bought a +20 polyp Salted Agave Zoanthid colony for $100. For context, World Wide Coral would sell 1 - 2 polyps at the same cost. Great place to get corals that are easy to propagate (zoas, hammers, etc.) at generous sizes for low prices. Thank you, Doug. You rock!!”
— Rick Eldee5.03 months ago“BEST Coral Selection AROUND!!!!”
— ashley crone5.04 months ago“Nice selection of corals, Doug is very knowledgeable here even stood there with us after closing time to help us out. Prices are very reasonable, I think he might have the best prices in town. We will definitely be coming back here. Thanks for your help doug.”
— Yojander Davila5.010 months ago“Very nice aquariums and corals. Friendly and very helpful. Great variety. I was highly satisfied with the outcome!”
— Nellie Blair5.011 months ago“Awesome shop! Tons of corals, all propagated in house! Great Guy too! Highly recommend!”
— Paul Fischer5.011 months ago“Best local shop”
— Aleksei Mogilnik5.011 months ago“It's always a good time when I visit! Everyone is more than helpful with helping with tank issues or just general questions. The owners is a great source of information, great selections, and good prices. Hurry in today!”
— perry mackall5.0a year ago“Great selection of corals, fair prices, Doug was very helpful answering all our questions. Check out his shop if you’re in the area!”
— Thomas Jacobson5.0a year ago“Amazing selection”
— Nick Shobe5.02 years ago“Good variety and prices with a knowledgeable owner. All the coral I've bought here has thrived. It's my go to place and usually stop in a couple times a month. 10 stars.”
— Alex Lodi5.02 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (813) 295-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Drysdale Aquarium Inc.