Westside Aquarium & Pets

Tucked away on the west side of Tampa, Westside Aquarium & Pets is the kind of place that wins loyalty not through flashy displays but through the genuine expertise of its owner, Paul Martin. Customers who've been coming here for over 25 years will tell you the same thing: Paul knows fish, and he'll take the time to make sure you do too. The store may look a little rough around the edges from the outside, but the livestock inside tells a different story — healthy, well-cared-for fish at prices that consistently undercut the competition.

The real strength here is freshwater. Reviewers rave about the plant selection and the breadth of fish inventory, which goes well beyond typical pet store fare. Looking for pygmy corydoras?

Paul's got them. Want blue-green shrimp? He sourced them overnight for one customer and held a batch before they sold out.

He routinely stocks unusual species and will gladly special-order fish he doesn't have on hand, making this a go-to for Tampa hobbyists hunting something specific. Quality driftwood and aquascaping materials round out the selection. The saltwater side is more limited — a handful of clownfish, a starfish, and minimal coral — so dedicated reef keepers may want to set expectations accordingly.

But for freshwater enthusiasts, this store delivers where it counts. What truly sets Westside apart is Paul's hands-on consultation approach. Multiple reviewers describe him patiently troubleshooting tank issues, from cloudy water to mysterious fish die-offs.

In one case, he performed water testing that revealed plants from another store had been sprayed with something toxic — a diagnosis that saved a family's entire tank. Customers drive from as far as Hernando County for that level of care. Paul can come across as a bit gruff at first, but longtime customers consider it part of the charm.

Beneath the no-nonsense exterior is someone who genuinely cares about keeping your fish alive and your tank thriving. For Tampa's freshwater community, Westside Aquarium is an essential stop.