About
Walking into Fins and Skins' 6,000-square-foot showroom in Pinellas Park, the first thing that strikes you is the cleanliness. Spotless tanks, well-organized displays, and healthy-looking animals line every aisle — a standard the store clearly takes seriously. While the shop splits its focus between aquatics and reptiles (ball pythons, bearded dragons, turtles, and even tarantulas share floor space with the fish), the aquarium side holds its own with a constantly rotating selection of freshwater livestock, including oddball species and rainbowfish that draw serious hobbyists from across the Tampa Bay area.
The staff is the real engine here. Reviewers consistently name-drop employees like Joe and Kurt, praising them not just for friendliness but for genuine expertise. One customer credited the entire team with helping them successfully cycle, stock, and maintain a 75-gallon freshwater rainbow fish tank from scratch — walking them through every stage from nitrogen cycling to fish compatibility.
Another beginner started with a 10-gallon setup and came back months later for a 29-gallon tank, confident in the guidance they'd received on plants, rocks, decor, and stocking choices. Fins and Skins also goes the extra mile in ways big-box stores simply don't. They'll take your phone number and call you back when a specific fish breed arrives.
They helped one frantic pet owner ship a White's Tree Frog on short notice — the only exotic shop in the area willing to assist. Staff will sort through bags of frozen prey until the weight is perfect for your snake, without a hint of impatience. The store carries tanks, lighting, bulbs, substrate, food, and decor alongside its live animals, making it a genuine one-stop destination for freshwater aquarists and reptile keepers alike.
Prices are consistently described as fair, and the entrance and parking are around the rear of the building — a small detail worth knowing on your first visit. For Tampa Bay hobbyists looking for honest advice and healthy livestock, Fins and Skins has earned its reputation over years of repeat customers.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- 6,000-sq-ft showroom with constantly rotating freshwater fish and reptile selection
- Staff personally guides customers through full tank cycling and stocking process
- Will source specific fish breeds and call you when they arrive
- Helped ship a live frog on short notice — the only local shop willing to assist
- Long-standing Pinellas Park institution with multigenerational loyal customers
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Fantastic reptile shop with healthy animals, fair prices, and knowledgeable staff. Clean store, great selection, and genuinely helpful advice every visit. They constantly have a new selection of quality fish and reptiles. Highly recommend to any reptile lover. 5 stars.”
— Tony5.0a week ago“Fins and Skins is a superb shop in Pinellas Park. The first thing I noticed was the cleanliness. The tanks were spotless and the environment was incredibly well-organized. The animals were healthy and looked strong. They have a massive selection of livestock, from oddball freshwater fish to captive-bred reptiles. The staff knows their stuff. They were helpful and gave honest advice on care. It is a fine place for any serious hobbyist. I loved it.”
— B5.0a week ago“Shopping and doing research getting ready to set up a specialty tank. Associate was VERY helpful and knowledgeable. While they didn't have everything I wanted they had things I didn't know I needed! Highly recommend. Entrance and parking in rear of store.”
— J S5.02 weeks ago“My dad took me here as a kid and I believe was close with the owner at one time. I have continued to come here for years as an adult and always refer people here. They care about the animals and take time to educate potential pet owners, which most places don't do. Owning a reptile or fish is a lot of work and people should know that. Love this place, good people.”
— Crystal5.03 weeks ago“Talked to Joe, seemed knowledgeable.”
— Matt Mast5.03 weeks ago“Helpful staff and great selection”
— Kim Brown5.03 weeks ago“Where do I begin I had visited this store a few times looking for an Antilles pink toe tarantula well they had one that was unsexed approximately 2" overpriced @ $200 I tried to bargain with owner and they were pretty firm about price with that being said the poor tarantula was in horrible living conditions 1x4 deli cup with nowhere to climb, moldy substrate Humpback flies (parasites) but I really wanted to give it a good home I asked the workers if we could open the container so I could get a good look at it they seemed very hesitant and only opened it far enough I could peek at it well I got it home only to find that it was injured and missing a leg the tarantula survived about 3 days I tried to dr. It back to health but know I have a dead tarantula my heart is broke and I'm out $200”
— William Harter1.0Edited a month ago“Knowledgeable and hopeful staff but did not have what I was looking for I might try again in the future.”
— Rob Bbasso4.0a month ago“So nice and respectful they treat the animals better then other places”
— Tracy Mk5.0Edited a month ago“The whole entire staff over at Fins and Skins has been part of helping me with stocking and maintaining my 75g freshwater Rainbow fish tank. From cycling the tank, adding the fish and understanding the details about how to successfully keep healthy and happy fish. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the Tampa Bay Area!”
— Alex Holzhauer5.0Edited 2 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (727) 851-9543 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fins and Skins.