About
Cuttle Fish and Corals in Portland, Oregon has built the kind of loyal following that most saltwater stores only dream of — customers driving from Seattle, commuting an hour each way, and stopping in three or four days a week just to see what's new. Under owner Pete's stewardship, this reef-focused shop has become arguably the best saltwater destination in the Pacific Northwest, and the reviews overwhelmingly back that claim. The store is housed in a newer building with meticulously clean tanks organized by coral price point — a thoughtful touch that makes browsing both beautiful and practical.
Their coral selection is vast and constantly rotating, from budget-friendly beginner frags to high-end pieces, and the fish inventory is equally impressive with new arrivals generating genuine excitement among regulars. Invertebrates are also part of the mix, and customers report receiving consistently healthy livestock with no sick arrivals. What truly sets Cuttlefish apart is the team.
Pete, Jeff, Bret, and Puck each bring deep saltwater expertise and an infectious enthusiasm for the hobby. Staff regularly spend hours with new customers helping with aquascaping and walking them through the reef tank process from scratch. They'll work within your budget, put together package deals on smaller frags, and keep you in the loop when specific fish or corals come in that match your tank.
One customer recounted Pete personally coming to her home to help dismantle a tank she was stuck with before a move — an act of generosity that transcended ordinary customer service. The atmosphere has a neighborhood feel, often compared to Cheers — a place where regulars are greeted by name and newcomers are welcomed without pressure. Staff answer every question patiently, from the technical to the purely curious, and they stand behind their livestock with fair replacement policies.
For anyone running a reef tank in the Portland metro area — or well beyond it — Cuttle Fish and Corals delivers exceptional coral selection, pristine tanks, and a team that genuinely wants to see your reef thrive.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Draws customers from as far as Seattle for their saltwater selection
- Vast and constantly rotating coral inventory organized by price point
- Exceptionally clean tanks with consistently healthy livestock
- Staff including Pete, Jeff, Bret, and Puck spend hours helping with aquascaping and setup
- Budget-friendly frag packages and personalized coral recommendations
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place, Great atmosphere & Great Employees!”
— Faith Rodriguez5.0a week ago“Love the store best staff. New owner great to see you, Pete.”
— Todd Parrish5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Smart helpful staff that want to see you succeed in your hobby.”
— ken roberts5.03 weeks ago“The employees here are amazing. They always treat my husband and I great. We are just getting into salt water aquariums and they answer all the questions. They even will answer just random and curious questions that we have. Not once have we gone in and felt neglected just because we don't spend a lot.”
— Mariah Watson (SisRoo144)5.04 weeks ago“Good customer service and they give you an extra $14 towards gift cards on Christmas.”
— Taylor Jolly5.0a month ago“Great selection and service people who know what they are selling you New owner and he is very helpful”
— Markland Rose5.0Edited a month ago“Wow! The best saltwater pet store I've ever been to.”
— Justin Fleskes5.0a month ago“Lots of fish and corals. Great service! Love coming here”
— Michael Tran5.02 months ago“I love this store. I love the employee’s passion and enthusiasm for their craft. When I come on new fish day, the owner loves to show me all of the curious or beautiful creatures he has gotten in. They have been more than fair with replacing fish or taking back bad tank mates. It is also the cleanest and most beautiful fish store in Portland. I haven’t gotten a single sick fish, coral, or invertebrate from them.”
— Megan Reynolds5.02 months ago“Love this shop. Tanks are clean, and well stocked. Always something new to see, and the staff are extremely knowledgeable/helpful.”
— Kyle Holthusen5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (971) 302-1347 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Cuttle Fish and Corals.