About
Tucked away in a corner of Panama City with minimal signage and an unassuming exterior, Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets has built a loyal following among local fishkeepers who know where to find it. Owned and operated by Jessica and Heath, this family-run shop punches well above what its storefront might suggest, stocking one of the area's strongest saltwater fish and coral selections alongside a solid freshwater lineup. The coral inventory is genuinely dangerous for anyone on a budget — multiple reviewers admit to blowing through their buying plans once they start browsing.
Saltwater enthusiasts in Bay County regularly cite Gulf Coast as their most trusted source for reef livestock, including anemones and gobies that arrive healthy and tank-ready. On the freshwater side, the store keeps a curated selection of tetras, rasboras, and aquatic plants in visibly cleaner conditions than the big-box alternatives. One customer noted their tetras and rasboras arrived stress-free and thriving, a direct result of the shop's attentive husbandry.
Beyond retail, Gulf Coast offers weekly tank maintenance services for local customers, handling everything from cleaning to ongoing health monitoring. Jessica and Heath stay accessible by call, text, or email, and long-term maintenance clients praise their responsiveness when issues arise. The store also sells RO water by the gallon, though opinions on its quality are mixed.
The shop doubles as a mini zoo of sorts — reptiles, snakes, and other animals share floor space with rows of aquariums, making it a genuinely entertaining browse for families. A beautiful display tank serves as a centerpiece that showcases what's possible with the livestock and supplies available on-site. Pricing is a point of debate.
Some find it reasonable for the quality of livestock; others feel it runs high compared to online or out-of-state options. What isn't debatable is the store's passion — Heath has been spotted scrubbing tanks with a toothbrush mid-conversation, the kind of hands-on care that keeps Panama City's reef and freshwater hobbyists coming back.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets in Panama City, FL
Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets stocks corals, tetras, reef fish, anemones, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Panama City, FL. As an aquarium store serving Panama City, FL, it also offers tank maintenance, tank cleaning, aquarium setup and aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- One of Bay County's most trusted saltwater fish and coral selections
- Healthy freshwater tetras, rasboras, and aquatic plants kept in clean conditions
- Weekly tank maintenance services with responsive communication from owners Jessica and Heath
- Family-owned shop with reptiles and diverse animal displays alongside aquariums
- Impressive coral inventory that reviewers warn will exceed your buying budget
From keepers
Customer reviews
“My girlfriend and I went into this store for the first time wanting to see what kind of fish and substrates they had available as we are newer to running our tank. We wished to ask some questions but there was only one employee, an older gentleman who I do not know the name of, so we waited patiently around the store. No one addressed us at all. It wasn’t until he was finishing up a transaction with another client up front that we thought we should wait there for him to finish. That was when said gentleman running the store had rudely said “I don’t like people staring at me.” and continued to repeat that even with our polite defense of we were simply waiting our turn. He then proceeded to talk about us with the client right in front of us after just yelling at us to basically leave him alone. This was probably one of the rudest customer interactions I have ever had and given we received no assistance or acknowledgment within the twenty minutes we waited in the store, we will never be returning. Based on our own observations of their tank conditions and numerous reviews we read stating fish people have received being riddled with parasites or disease, I think it best we continue to take our business to Suncoast and not here ever again. I hope this helps anyone else who considers coming here.”
— Tia Radway1.02 months ago“Cool place & owner was very nice.”
— Rosemary C5.02 months ago“Had an issue with something from Gulf Coast Pets and Aquarium. Heath made it right. We greatly appreciate it and will continue doing business their.”
— Rob Welsh5.03 months ago“Great place”
— B Luv5.04 months ago“My husband and daughter bought a tank and some cute fishies this past weekend and we are all loving it! The owner was so helpful and to the point about everything. You can tell they really care. He was going tank by tank and scrubbing with a tooth brush while he talked to us. Kind of like going to the zoo so many animals! Very cool experience and can’t wait to support the business more! Only thing, I wish they had a sign out front, even a tarpe sign would be great! Get more foot traffic too I bet! Thank you!”
— tianna miller5.02 weeks ago“Great local aquarium shop with friendly, knowledgeable people.”
— William Brown5.02 weeks ago“We sought out a professional aquarium tank cleaner for our yellow belly aquatic turtle. My husband and I just couldn’t seem to get the murky water clear and with our health issues it was getting to the point where cleaning the tank was just becoming too much. Well for $199 You would expect clear water or at least some improvement in the water’s appearance. But no ! The water never got clear and in fact was worse, then when they began cleaning it. They never took the turtle out while cleaning the tank in fact,I don’t think they did a whole lot except clean the filters and the side of the tank. It was a total waste of our money and a total rip off !!! I text The owner Yestwice complaining about the service. I even waited a couple of days before texting the second time, hoping that the water will clear up after a few days. Still nothing but murky water. you would think being a professional company that they would give us a discount on the service being that the water never improved in appearance or became clear. But, no. Don’t waste your time or money on this company. The results will not be in your favor. Oh, and when I sent pictures to the owner she said the water looks clear to her. Clearly, we have two different opinions on what clear water looks like.”
— Marla Ferraro1.03 weeks ago“1$ a gallon for RO water that tests worse then walmart RO. Get your basics elsewhere. Everything super marked up.”
— LionsLife_1.0a month ago“great selection of fish and coral good prices”
— Shaun Dawn Roberts5.0a month ago“Love the tetras and rasboras I purchased. The fish are kept is much better conditions than corporate stores and the price is worth it. Stress + poor conditions = disease and death for your whole tank. I will definitely be back for some plants and aquarium products.”
— John Ammerman5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (850) 769-4111 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets.