About
Salty Fish Aquariums in San Antonio has a way of surprising people. From the outside, the storefront looks modest, but step through the door and the space opens up into a sprawling aquatic wonderland that has been earning loyal customers for nearly a decade. The store stocks both saltwater and freshwater livestock in impressive variety — from vibrant coral frags and reef fish to one of the best selections of South and Central American cichlids in the city, plus bettas, mudskippers, and Caridina shrimp that are hard to find elsewhere in town.
The live plant section has become a real draw. Rows of healthy aquatic plants line the displays, and the addition of a dedicated aquascaping table — a platform with sand where customers can test hardscape arrangements before committing — sets Salty Fish apart from typical pet stores. Pair that with a solid inventory of low-iron rimless tanks, Eheim heaters, Fluval filter media, and other quality dry goods, and it's clear the store caters to serious hobbyists while remaining approachable for first-timers setting up their initial betta tank.
Staff members like Nathan, Lauren, Evelyn, and Riley come up repeatedly in reviews for a reason. They test water, walk customers through sump setups, troubleshoot sick fish, and patiently explain substrate choices — all without pressure. One military family praised Riley for arranging a 210-gallon tank and stand shipped and ready for pickup within three days, complete with daily update calls.
Another customer brought in a struggling betta and left with a clear treatment plan tailored to their budget after Evelyn ran water tests on the spot. The store recently expanded into the neighboring space, adding a terrarium section and room for further growth. Custom tank orders are available, and the pricing consistently earns praise as among the best in San Antonio.
For anyone building or maintaining an aquarium in the area, Salty Fish delivers the rare combination of deep inventory, genuine expertise, and fair pricing that keeps people driving across town to shop there.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Dedicated aquascaping table with sand for testing hardscape layouts before purchase
- One of few San Antonio stores carrying Caridina shrimp
- Extensive South and Central American cichlid selection
- Custom tank orders with fast turnaround — 210-gallon setups delivered in three days
- Free water testing and hands-on troubleshooting from experienced staff
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great place to buy salt water stuff.”
— Christian W3.0Edited 3 days ago“Peces muy bonitos a un precio excelente”
— carlos Gomez Garcia5.0a month ago“This location had a large selection of corals and plants. The fish selection was also good.”
— Robert Oliva4.03 months ago“Great team that is exceptionally knowledgeable and always the best prices in town.”
— John Killgore5.03 months ago“Great selection! Fish I bought are doing amazing days later!”
— Noah C5.04 months ago“It's so much bigger once you go inside. Great variety of fish and supplies. Got an Eheim heater for a great price and a media kit for my Fluval AC110 HOB. 🎉”
— Ismael delosangeles5.04 months ago“Go here if you wanna aquascape! They have a platform with sand so you can see how things will look out together. VERY helpful!”
— Betty Ashcraft5.04 months ago“Great people who really know their stuff! Walked me and my wife through a slump set up that we plan on using down the road. They take really good care of their fish as well! Showed us some compete pricing on their tanks.”
— Danny Miller5.05 months ago“An absolute dream, they really do “have it all!” Super knowledgeable, family owned, 5 star service in every way. They’ve got everything you need with reasonable prices and a ton of experience. The exterior is deceiving; I love the large inside layout, walking around this place makes me feel fintastic! They’re also opening an extension for dogs and cats in the same area soon and I’m so excited!”
— Brianna Noble5.05 months ago“The staff is so knowledgeable. You crack them open & they are the friendliest bunch! So much variety. Salt to fresh to paludariums! They got it all & more!”
— Amy Lee5.05 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (210) 656-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Salty Fish Aquariums.