--- type: store name: "Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets" city: "Panama City" state: "FL" rating: 4.4 reviews: 219 url: https://www.fishstores.org/florida/panama-city/gulf-coast-aquarium-and-pets --- # Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets Fish store in Panama City, Florida - **Address**: 1366 W 15th St, Panama City, FL 32401, Panama City, FL, 32401 - **Phone**: (850) 769-4111 - **Website**: [gulfcoastaquarium.com/](https://gulfcoastaquarium.com/) - **Rating**: 4.4/5 (219 reviews) - **Online Store**: Yes ## Hours | Day | Hours | | --- | --- | | Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Thursday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Sunday | Closed | ## 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. ## Specializations - **Water Types**: Freshwater, Saltwater - **Livestock & Products**: Corals, Live Plants, Tetras, Reef, Anemones - **Services**: Tank Maintenance, Tank Cleaning, Tank Setup, Consultation - **Known For**: Knowledgeable Staff, Premium Equipment ## Highlights - 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 ## Customer Reviews **"tianna miller"** - 5/5 - 2 weeks 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! **"William Brown"** - 5/5 - 2 weeks ago > Great local aquarium shop with friendly, knowledgeable people. **"Marla Ferraro"** - 1/5 - 3 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 $199 You would expect clear water or at least some improvement in the water’s appearance. But no ! The water never got clear and in fact was worse, then when they began cleaning it. They never took the turtle out while cleaning the tank in fact,I don’t think they did a whole lot except clean the filters and the side of the tank. It was a total waste of our money and a total rip off !!! I text The owner Yestwice complaining about the service. I even waited a couple of days before texting the second time, hoping that the water will clear up after a few days. Still nothing but murky water. you would think being a professional company that they would give us a discount on the service being that the water never improved in appearance or became clear. But, no. Don’t waste your time or money on this company. The results will not be in your favor. Oh, and when I sent pictures to the owner she said the water looks clear to her. Clearly, we have two different opinions on what clear water looks like. **"LionsLife_"** - 1/5 - a month ago > 1$ a gallon for RO water that tests worse then walmart RO. Get your basics elsewhere. Everything super marked up. **"Shaun Dawn Roberts"** - 5/5 - a month ago > great selection of fish and coral good prices **"John Ammerman"** - 5/5 - a 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. **"Jabril Logan"** - 1/5 - a month ago > Entire tanks of fish covered in parasites. The girl doing work in the aquariums seemed to have no idea. No labels or prices on the glass. They are letting slime algae take over. Employees ignore you. Worst fish store I've been to. Wish I took pictures. It was crazy **"Shanoah P"** - 1/5 - 2 months ago > I recently went there to purchase a mouse as a pet not knowing that the mouse was infested with TICKS. Had to give him away because I alone was at risk of Lyme disease and from my knowledge, it's not good for snakes to eat feeder mice that have ticks because they could also be at risk. I'm not sure if they knew that their mice carried ticks, but I don't reccomend purchasing feeder mice as a pet. Here's a tip- ask about infestations of insects on feeder mice before purchasing them. **"Nicholas Parsons"** - 5/5 - 3 months ago > Excellent store! Owners are very knowledgeable and maintain excellent conditions for their animals. Best saltwater fish selection I’ve encountered yet. **"scott goulooze"** - 5/5 - 3 months ago > I honestly wasn’t expecting much based on the location and outside look of the store, but WOW WAS I WRONG!!!!!! An amazing assortment of fish and reptiles as well as supplies!!!!! My wife and son thoroughly enjoyed browsing everything and the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful!! I would recommend them over any chain store now any day!!! ## Nearby Stores - [AJ's Aquariums LLC](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/gulfport/ajs-aquariums-llc) - Gulfport, FL - 5.0/5 - [Aquarium Reef Illusions](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/orange-city/aquarium-reef-illusions) - Orange City, FL - 5.0/5 - [Heeeere Fishy Fishy](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/gainesville/heeeere-fishy-fishy) - Gainesville, FL - 5.0/5 - [Hydros Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/miami/hydros-aquatics) - Miami, FL - 5.0/5 - [Rainbow River Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/port-st-lucie/rainbow-river-aquatics) - Port St. Lucie, FL - 5.0/5 - [Tanknicians](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/lake-park/tanknicians) - Lake Park, FL - 5.0/5 --- *Source: [FishStores.org](https://www.fishstores.org/florida/panama-city/gulf-coast-aquarium-and-pets)* *Last updated: February 7, 2026*