Honestly this store is the best. I ALWAYS come here to get my fish, substrate, tanks, plants,…read moreadvice, water tests & of course the doggy pets for ceviche and peanut Ed & Allan are always super helpful and knowledgeable about all my fish needs. I would and always recommend Clear Water to everyone I know! 10/10 for sure

I was hit with a very fishy odor once I walked in, which is usually not the best sign. While…read morebrowsing through the tanks, I saw SEVERAL dead fish in SEVERAL tanks. Some of them looked like they were struggling to swim and there was even a skeleton which indicates to me that the fish had been dead for a while. I've honestly never seen so many dead fish in tank in my life, even Petco and PetSmart seems better compared to this. Prices were also high, especially for shrimp. They were charging $15/caridina shrimp. Some of the tanks seemed to have mislabeled fish or seemed incredibly overstocked. I understand that they may view the tanks as temporary holding tanks but it was still quite a lot of fish in some small tanks. I would recommend checking out other fish stores in the area before heading over here.

Very clean place with knowledgeable and friendly staff…read more They are expanding right now, tons of fish and coral here. This could easily end up being the best coral supply stores in Northern California! I highly recommend a visit!

I am posting this as a cautionary experience…read more I ordered livestock from Violet Aquariums. The order arrived with a fish that was dead on arrival and a coral that arrived in extremely poor condition, with severe tissue recession, exposed skeleton, and a foul odor. Photos were provided immediately upon delivery in accordance with their stated DOA policy. The business refused to refund or replace the coral under any circumstances. For the DOA fish, they offered only store credit, which would have required me to pay approximately $50 in additional shipping to replace a $40 fish unless I placed a much larger new order, with no guarantee that any replacement would arrive viable. What was most concerning was the tone and content of their email responses when I requested a refund or replacement. In writing, they repeatedly characterized a lawful chargeback as "fraud" and made threats of retaliation and blacklisting, including statements such as "you want to commit fraud... chargeback in your case," "yes, we will ban you as fraud," "we will fight the chargeback," "you will run out of suppliers," and "we do not want them as our customers ever." Livestock losses happen. How a business responds matters. Based on this experience, I would strongly caution others before ordering.

I was a bit worried about my visit due to some of the negative reviews…read more I only interacted with two staff members but both seemed enthusiastic to help me while also giving me space to shop. The conditions of these tanks are PRISTINE. I'm not sure if it's due to their lightning or something else but the water just looks very clear and clean. I didn't see a single dead fish while browsing. Based on this fact, I'd like to believe that their livestock is quite healthy. They also make their policies VERY clear. It's on their website and there are also signs around the shop. Maybe these policies aren't that shocking to me since I buy lots of livestock online that don't have a guarantee after you add it to your aquarium. They do not have a phone number to check stock but they do post updates on their website and email newsletter. They claim it's due to high foot traffic but it wasn't very busy when I was there (Friday afternoon) with that being said, all of the staff members were doing something while I was at the store. I think they just don't have enough people sometimes. Price wise, yes some of the fish are outrageously priced ($14 for a CPD is crazy) but many of them seem reasonable. I assume it's however they're getting their stock or the fact that they offer 20% discounts if you get a 40G+ kit. They also sell cycled media for $20/lb if you're impatient to cycle a tank! I would highly recommend as a place to visit if you're just setting up a new tank or need a more uncommon/rare fish. They'll have basically anything you need but you can definitely get more common fish like pygmy corys, pea puffers, CPDs, etc elsewhere if you're looking to save money. Below are some prices based on my June 2026 visit to give you a sense of their pricing: Keep in mind that not all of these were in stock so prices might change. PLANTS Bucephalandra 'Blue Metallic' - $20 Bucephalandra 'Brownie Purple' (loose) - $15 Bucephalandra 'Mahap Blue Round' (loose) - $20 Limnophila Hippuroides Aromatica (bunch) - $6 Rotala 'Ceylon' (bunch) - $8 Rotala 'Orange Juice' (bunch) - $8 FISH Betta - $25 to $45 Blue Rasbora - $8 Chili Rasbora - $5.60 Celestial Pearl Danio - $14 Ember Tetra - $4.65 Emerald Dward Rasbora - $8 Ghost Shrimp - $1 Gold Stripe Goby - $45 Gold Tetra - $6.50 Hillstream Loach (Red Fin) - $30 Otocinclus - $7.50 Panda Loach - $30 Pea Puffer - $14 Pencilfish - $5 Phoenix Rasbora - $5 Pygmy Corydoras - $7.85 Pygmy Spotted Maculatus Rainbow fish - $11 Rasbora - $3.25 Rhinotocinclus Isabelae Oto - $20 Scarlet Badis - $7.75 Spotted Danio - $7 Strawberry Rasbora - $4.25 Zebra Otocinclus - $29 SHRIMP Amano Shrimp - $5.50 SNAILS Assassin Snail - $5 Batman Nerite - $5-6 Pumpkin Striped Nerite - $6

Line: no wait during weekday afternoon Parking: about 10 car…read morelot on the side, not full Service: knowledgeable and fun hearted Came here to get freshwater aquatic plants and they have a wide selection. I was able to find plants not available in other stores in the bay area. They have both plants in tanks and in agar. The price is on the average to slightly high side. Would definitely come again!

Kent and Matt thank you for the great job on our messy pond. You brought it back to life. Our Koi…read moreare dancing. Very quick and efficient. Left our yard as they found it. Vickie and Leland Wardell.

The place had a bit of a smell and a lot of the tank hardscapes were covered in algae and not the…read moreclearest waters. Not the cleanest aquarium store I've been to but at least I didn't see many dead animals. The shop was dimly lit in some areas so I'm assuming that they're in the middle of re-organizing or something. Livestock price wise, i think it's reasonable. Although some tissue cultured were on the pricier side. The selection of plants and livestock were OK, I would probably only visit if you need equipment though. They have some ADA, UNS, Chihiros, CO2 tanks, etc. Here are some of the livestock prices to give you a sense of what they charge. This is not a comprehensive list but rather some livestock I was personally interested with: Prices as of June 2026: FW Fish Assorted Male Bettas - $10 Ember Tetra - $5 False Bandit Cory - $12 Kuhli Loach - $6 Longfin Bronze Cory - $10 Pea Puffers - $8 Pygmy Corydora - $6 Sterbai Cory - $15 Super Red Bristlenose - $30 Whiptail Catfish - $20 SHRIMP Amano Shrimp - $7 Bamboo Shrimp - $10 Black Tiger Shrimp - $15 Cherry Shrimp - $8 Opae Ula Shrimp - $5 Super Tiger Shrimp - $15 SNAILS Jade Mystery Snail - $5 Japanese Trapdoor Snail - $9

The owner is super helpful and knowledgeable. Went to get some plants and snails for my boy's tank…read moreand he helped us pick out some good ones.

This place is a Hayward staple, at least for aquarium aficionados. It has a great assortment of…read morefish, plants, and supplies overall. The owner is very knowledgeable and honest about the hobby. All you have to do is ask. Prices are good for the quality and variety of fish. The surrounding area can come odd as a little suspect but don't let that deter you from visiting. It's well worth the trip if you're in the East Bay and are looking for more than the big box stores can offer.

Gio Marine is easily one of the best local fish stores I've been to. The moment you walk in, you…read morecan tell the tanks are well cared for and the livestock is healthy, vibrant, and properly maintained. That alone already sets them apart from a lot of other places. What really makes the difference is the level of knowledge and the way they approach helping customers. Instead of just trying to make a quick sale, they actually take the time to understand your setup and what you're trying to achieve. The advice feels genuine and experience-based, which is huge in a hobby where the wrong guidance can cost you time and money. Their selection of corals and fish is solid, and everything consistently looks like it's been handled with care. On top of that, their prices are very competitive--honestly better than most other places I've come across--which makes it even easier to keep coming back. It's clear they take pride in what they do, and that shows in both the quality of the store and the overall experience. Whether you're new to reefing or have an established tank, this is a place you can rely on for both livestock and guidance. Definitely a strong option if you're looking for a dependable and knowledgeable shop.

I love taking my kids to go see the incredible fish tanks they have. They are always friendly and…read moreafter a few owners. We went in the other day and they were moving 2 doors down. Hopefully once they settle in it will be even better to go see the fish and purchase more saltwater from their giant tanks.

Adam is the best! He really knows his stuff and the fish at this shop are unique and well taken…read morecare of

Awesome customer service, super friendly and knowledgeable. Best deals around on fish and corals…read more All quarantined and ready to go