About
Coral Reef Aquariums has been part of Tampa's saltwater scene for decades, the kind of family-run aquarium store where customers measure their loyalty in years — one walked in at 16 and still shops there at 43, another has called it his favorite saltwater spot for over 15. It's a hands-on shop: the owner works the floor himself, and longtime staff like Gabe and Christopher are known for genuinely knowing their marine species and taking the time to walk people through a setup. The saltwater side is the clear strength.
Reefers come for a rotating selection of corals, a notable run of eels, and an anemone selection that regulars call the largest in Tampa — corals and anemones for sale in Tampa, FL that you can actually inspect tank-side before you commit. The owner is happy to talk shop, too; one newer reefer got a live demo of how Miracle Mud works in his own systems and left with advice plus the exact sexy shrimp she'd been hunting for. If they don't have something on hand, special orders through the owner and his son are a regular part of how the store operates.
Freshwater and pond keepers are covered as well, with mystery snails, shrimp, koi, the occasional axolotl, and treatments for outdoor ponds available in Tampa, FL alongside the saltwater livestock. Reef supplies, dry goods, and first-tank setup help round out a small-but-deep inventory — first-timers building a saltwater tank get the same patient attention as the regulars who stop in weekly. A few honest notes: dry goods and some livestock can run pricier than the big-box stores, and because this is a busy shop with a lot of livestock moving through, it's smart to quarantine new fish and coral before adding them to an established tank.
Bring a little patience on a crowded afternoon and you'll be looked after. For Tampa hobbyists who want real marine knowledge and a store that remembers their tank, Coral Reef Aquariums remains a dependable stop.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Coral Reef Aquariums in Tampa, FL
Coral Reef Aquariums stocks corals, reef fish, anemones, invertebrates, shrimp, koi, axolotls, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Tampa, FL. As an aquarium store serving Tampa, FL, it also offers aquarium consultations, water testing and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Decades-old family-run Tampa aquarium store with multi-generational loyal customers
- Anemone selection regulars call the largest in Tampa, plus corals and a variety of eels
- Hands-on owner and knowledgeable staff (Gabe, Christopher) who walk you through setups
- Saltwater, freshwater, and pond livestock with special orders through the owner and his son
- Sexy shrimp, mystery snails, koi, and the occasional axolotl on the freshwater side
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Amazing staff and owner , there fish are amazing and the variety of fish is great , best store ever !!!”
— Jay Jay5.03 weeks ago“Staff awesome great knowledge and very helpful as well as crazy selection”
— Randy Giron5.0a month ago“Helpful and knowledgeable, dry goods are overpriced”
— Sulaiman4.0a month ago“First time in and plan on coming back. The store owner was super helpful since I admitted reefing is fairly new for me. He showed me how Miracle Mud works in his own machines and gave me great advice. The prices were better than I expected and was able to get all I needed (some treatments for my outdoor pond as well). The cherry on top was I had already hunted for a sexy shrimp but couldn’t find one in any tanks. When I asked if he had one he knew immediately which tank his last one was in and now it’s mine :)”
— Lindsay Clark5.0a month ago“A lot of parasite/ ich outbreak in his tanks. i got one and didn’t check lost alot of fish due too this, it’s been very frustrating but hopefully he gets this under control so others can avoid this issue”
— Katarina1.02 months ago“Christopher has been great every time I go in helping get whatever I need and is very knowledgeable. Great place for all things fish!”
— M.M.5.02 months ago“Way over priced that's all I'm saying”
— rocky lange1.03 months ago“My favorite place for my saltwater hobby for over 15 years”
— April Allard5.03 months ago“good”
— raidel Rufin5.03 months ago“Excelet customer services stars come here I was 16 yrs old and I still go there for fish I'm 43 now”
— JORGE ROMERO5.06 hours ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (813) 915-8626 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Coral Reef Aquariums.