About
Creative Aquariums of Tampa has built a loyal following over more than 15 years as one of Tampa's premier saltwater destinations. The store's core strength is its robust selection of corals — from Xenia and Anthelia to hammer corals — alongside a deep inventory of marine fish that fills clean, well-maintained display tanks. Their live rock has earned specific praise from reefers for accelerating tank cycling, and they stock aquatic plants for freshwater enthusiasts as well.
What sets Creative Aquariums apart is its full-service approach. The shop builds custom commissioned aquariums — tanks and stands assembled to spec — which reviewers cite as one of their strongest offerings. When one customer's tank catastrophically leaked, owner William rushed out the same day to help rescue fish, then built a replacement tank and stand.
That kind of emergency responsiveness speaks to the company's commitment beyond the retail counter. Their maintenance division deserves special mention. Technician Stephen has developed a dedicated clientele who value his consistency — one patron with a 100-gallon tank specifically credits the improvement in their system to having the same knowledgeable person service it every visit, rather than rotating technicians.
Staff members like Alex and Andrés round out a team that customers describe as informative without being pushy, offering genuine consultation to newcomers setting up their first nano reef or bio-cube. The physical space is on the smaller side, and some reviewers note that a portion of the display fish aren't for sale and that certain supplies like frozen saltwater fish food can be hard to find in stock. But for coral selection, marine fish variety, and competitive pricing, the store consistently draws customers who drive an hour or more to shop here.
The tanks are immaculate, the livestock is healthy, and the knowledge behind the counter is deep enough to back it all up. For reef keepers and saltwater hobbyists in the Tampa area, this is a shop worth knowing.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Extensive coral and marine fish selection maintained for over 15 years
- Custom aquarium and stand builds, including emergency replacements
- Dedicated tank maintenance service with consistent technicians like Stephen
- Quality live rock praised for accelerating tank cycling
- Clean, well-organized tanks with healthy livestock at competitive prices
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Really very happy with the service and maintenance on my 100 gallon tank by Stephen! He is extremely knowledgeable! Highly recommend Creative Aquatics. I was using another company for maintenance and they sent someone new all of the time. Stephen has grown to know my tank. The consistency in his care has made a great difference in my tank. Thank you, Stephen!”
— Nancy Adams5.03 months ago“Absolutely amazing company! The owner helped me out in a jam when my tank was leaking. He was able to rush right out that day to help me. After all said and done, there was no way of saving the tank and my stand was ruined from the water damage. But William helped me get a new tank and put together a new stand. All of my fish are happy and healthy. Couldn't say enough about William helping me out at the last minute. If I could give 10 stars I would. Highly recommend for all your fish care needs”
— DJ5.03 months ago“Excellent service by Andrés!”
— Erika Restrepo5.0a year ago“Very professional”
— Nicholas M5.02 years ago“Nice selection of saltwater fish and corals. Super clean tanks and friendly staff.”
— Tony Vasquez5.0Edited 6 years ago“Ver y Nice great price my husband putting a seatbelt to the fishe lol”
— alexandra silva5.06 years ago“One of my favorite places. Everyone is so friendly and they have difference stuff from everywhere else.”
— Santiago Almonte5.0Edited 6 years ago“Very organized, tidy, reasonable prices. The staff is also very friendly and helpful.”
— Miguel Birriel5.06 years ago“Great saltwater fish store. Selection is pretty good for it's size and most prices are reasonable”
— Dave Wilt5.06 years ago“Friendly staff. Great service.”
— gilberto garcia5.06 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (813) 512-7194 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Creative Aquariums of Tampa.