This place is an incredible and unique spot in the heart of SF. There is a reason they have been in business so long. I've bought both plants and fish there, all were healthy and the fish VERY well fed. Both owners are highly knowledgeable and helpful. Just don't go in expecting to buy fish for your uncycled tank (they won't sell you them) and keep in mind you do pay a premium for their livestock. read more

The owner here has a terrible attitude; he gets very impatient if you ask him even a simple question.

This is the best kept secret in Polk gulch ..Asian fish tank fish aquarium business ..mom and pop shop ..what ...did u know ..I walked by ..fish food the old saying ..see the fish tanks aquariums ..it's hard to keep goldfish ..feed your goldfish ..like 1980..what Dear San Francisco ...grandpa said that u r so cute read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

Not only the best in San Francisco, but one of the best in the country. There's information going back generations here, things that don't come with degrees or fancy titles ...this place is the real thing. read more

Great staff. 1st time fish owners and they got us setup. Huge selection, honest feedback and decent prices.

This store is fantastic! The staff is super informative and helpful, and all of their fish look healthy and happy. We were actually visiting from out of town for a Giants game when we decided to buy a betta fish. Even though we had a 3-hour commute ahead of us, the owner went above and beyond to make sure we were prepared. She gave us detailed instructions, demonstrated exactly what to do, and even provided the proper tools to ensure our new little guy could be safely acclimated to my tank at home. We made it back safely, and our betta is doing great. I love this place and will definitely be coming back! read more

Ocean Aquarium - Galaxy Koi Betta - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is like walking into a lush forest. They use the Walstad Method, so every tank looks like a miniature ecosystem. The fish are thriving, the variety is amazing, and the owners (a wonderful husband-and-wife team) are so kind and helpful. It's one of the most relaxing places to shop for the hobby. read more

I drove all the way from Sacramento to Ocean Aquarium in San Francisco specifically to purchase live freshwater fish. I arrived at 5:50 PM, fully ready to spend a few hundred dollars, only to be told they were closed -- even though their posted hours say they close at 6:00 PM. The staff made no effort to assist me or even acknowledge the fact that I had traveled a long distance and came prepared to make a serious purchase. Instead, I was turned away right at the door. This was my first time here, and unfortunately, it will be my last. I support small businesses when they value their customers -- but this was just flat-out poor service. If you're serious about buying quality fish and being treated with respect, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

All I can say is the owner is legit knowledgeable on fresh water aquarium . Amazing fish, shrimp and snail options. You will also go home with the right tools to adapt your fish to your own aquarium! Superb! read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

After years I got my second fish, I love my fish. The owners are still super nice and knowledgeable as always. Come here for fishy :) read more

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This place is such a unique place to visit, whether you are interested in fish or not. It's a mom and pop shop run by these 2 wholesome and kind individuals who've ran this place for almost 40 years. This place has so much history and character behind it, from the art pieces on the walls, to photos of the family themselves. My brother has been here multiple times and praises the place every occasion he gets. It was my first time going so I wanted to see what this place was about. The entrance is located along an alleyway and a fairly small location, but once you enter the store, you are surrounded by multiple fish tanks every turn. They've even gotten creative with a few tanks used for some of their fishes (e.g. the iMac monitor). This is the owner's hobby and it's so wholesome to see how much you can accomplish when you love something so much. So happy for these people and wish them all the best read more

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Great and beautiful selection of assorted aqua life ! The owners were very knowledgeable and helpful in every way! Very sweet owners . I'm new to the aquarium lifestyle so they were very patient with me as well. Will always be coming back for any equipment or fish in the future read more

Ocean Aquarium - Available fish food and supplies here ! - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

the owners genuinely care about the quality of life of the fish. they make sure the fishes are no longer sick before putting them out. they are likely to ask about your aquarium when you want to buy a fish. they have a lot of stories and are quite insightful on their specific techniques of fish-keeping. if you know what you want, this place has good quality fish. it's a diamond in the rough, as it's in the middle of the alleyway and you have to do some fish scouting in this packed store. i love the history in this place, very wholesome. read more

This is a long-standing, reputable family business, so they know what they're doing (which they should; they've been doing this for a long time). They have many, many tanks, mostly small and filled with little brilliant gems of fishies, and a good amount of supplies. I have bought fish and supplies, and acquired useful aquarium advice, from Jason since before he was at this location. Ask them questions! Parking can be a bit of a challenge (I usually ride my bike), but stopping in is worth it if you love keeping fish--or even just looking at them! read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Been wanting to visit for over 2 years, a lot of good things heard and I was not disappointed at all! Both owners were amazing and were both super excited to show me their options. Although I am not new to the hobby they gave me some really useful tips on acclimating, feeding, and answered a question I had asked many places. You can tell they are proud of what they have going and that is amazing, prices for being in the city are not bad at all. Their selection is amazing but came here for their goldfish. Left with a broadtail Ryukin. I will def come back even though I do not live near by ! read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

A great learning opportunity, no hard sell! Justin Hau is all about a naturalistic tank set up before adding fish and plants. read more

Ocean Aquarium - Visiting Justin and Ady Hau at Ocean Aquarium, San Francisco. We had a great lesson in water treatment and natural aquarium set up - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

Initially the elderly couple were very helpful and answered all my questions. After buying hundreds of dollars of supplies and had trouble setting up my tank, they were reprimanding me for not following the right procedures. Hey, I'm just getting started. Taking my business elsewhere. read more

These sweet people have been so patient and honest in helping our family get our tank set up. They specialize in smaller fish, community tanks and it's obvious they take great pride in their work. read more

Took the drive 2 hours away to Ocean Aquarium off Cedar St. San Francisco Glad I got a chance to visit this old school Aquarium owned by Justin/Ady ----friendly old couple It is true all their tanks are planted with lush green plants & dirted/gravel substrates. They specialize in smaller schooling fishes, no aggressive fishes. Although they are very friendly, they must charge Premium prices to keep this store running. I bought 2 really small puffers $45 each, 1pair of electric ram @ $35, water crest, java fern Total $180 Cash...Very Pricey to me compared to any other bigger Aquariums. Justin is or sounded very knowledgeable with water parameters & tips with fish/plants. The main parameter per Justin is the correct PH of 7.0 for healthy fishes not nitrate/nitrite. I will take his advice & monitor the health of the fishes I bought. Overall, a nice visit to experience his long standing business. read more

Ocean Aquarium - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My fish tank and water had been set up for two months, and I was eager to finally get some fish. The female owner greeted me, and the beginning of our conversation was fine. However, the male owner soon intervened, asking me, "You're getting the fish for feng shui reasons, right?" When I told him no and explained that I just wanted them for fun, he bluntly asserted, "I will not sell you the fish, as you will abuse and kill them." He then repeated his statement and told me to leave and go to the 6th Avenue store instead. Even though I felt insulted, I remained calm. As I was walking out, I noticed several test kits. Although I was aware of their no-photography policy, I politely asked the female owner if I could take a picture to show my family so they could help me choose which kit to purchase. She responded with a firm "No, no." Their rude attitude prompted me to leave. On my way out, I overheard the woman talking to the man, saying, "They wanted to compare prices; they have an illness/problem." I have to agree with other Yelp reviews that these owners show a bias against Asians and a preference for non Asian individuals. read more

My first visit to this shop and I'm so glad I made the trip! The owners are very sweet and helpful. I can tell they really love their fish and want them all to thrive once they get to their new homes. When I bought my Chili Rasboras I was given a lot of tips on how to properly introduce them to my tank as well as a homemade drip cup for acclimating the fish to the ph. I regret not getting some shrimp from them as they had the cutest home-bred crystals that were referred to as "their babies". I also think its so awesome that all their tanks have an established eco-system with how many beautiful, healthy plants thrive in them. Seeing all those plants and the variety of hardscape they carry makes me want another tank to scape! After several days my Chilis are doing great and got their color back within an hour of getting them into their new home! So happy to have found you guys! Thank you! read more

Ocean Aquarium - Chili Rasboras - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Betta Believe in Fish Whisperers at Ocean Aquarium! Ever wondered if fish whisperers are real? I found out firsthand at Ocean Aquarium after my betta suffered a fin rot outbreak moving faster than a piranha on a bacon binge. The situation was so dire my kids started preparing a funeral for our scaly friend. Upon arrival, after recounting the disastrous advice I was following from a Petco purchase, Ady quipped, "Tears from the kids, huh?" and then they dove into action. The whirlwind of helpful advice hit me like a bunch of kids beating down a piñata. They told me everything that was wrong with the advice from Petco. Three months later, and it's as though my betta has been vacationing at a spa designed by King Triton himself. Justin and Ady aren't just aquarium PhDs; they're the Gandalfs of the aquatic realm. Recently, with algae taking over the tank, I sought their wizardry once more. Despite my fears of introducing new fish to my betta, who's quicker to start a fight than toddlers over the last cookie, Ady reassured me, expertly curating a group of peacekeeping fish. I feared it was like sending them to the Hunger Fish Games, but instead, harmony and cleanliness now reign supreme. The bottom feeders tirelessly tidy the gravel while the algae eater, worthy of a gold medal, has polished the tank walls spotlessly. My betta has now taken to resting on his plant leaves as if he's a retired tycoon on his luxury cruise, casually supervising the tank's new maintenance crew.. A massive thank you to Justin and Ady! Now I know why they've been in business for almost 40 years. Big box stores - you better take notes...school's in session! read more

owners are so knowledgeable!! really helped me out and now I feel absolutely confident in my fish surviving!! I came in with a bunch of alarming issues with my tank and they helped me solve every problem!! amazing selection of fish as well--like thousands of fish in this store!! don't go to petsmart, go here!! they're also cheaper than petsmart! they have everything you can think of from supplies to fish species! only coming here from now on! this place deserves to be more popular! they really know what they're talking about! read more

My favorite aquarium fish store in the Bay Area! I've been to every single one from North to South Bay and I highly recommend Addy and Justin's shop. They are extremely knowledgable and carry the biggest and coolest selection of freshwater fishes and shrimp! Every time I have an issue, they always have a solution. They specialize in low tech setups so they don't carry high tech plants--the only bummer. Overall, customer service is consistently superb. read more

Justin and his wife are so nice and always helpful. They give great tips on learning and starting aquariums at home. They have great aquarium plants, decor, and fishes. Pleas support small businesses like Ocean aquarium! read more

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Bought 7 nano fish here, they are so kind and the shop feels very homey! They have a great selection of supplies and fish, and clearly love their fish!! Will be back! read more

I lived in the city between '88 to '95 and was in the fish hobby all that time. I went to Ocean Aquarium (Justin and Ady) for all my fish hobby needs. All I can say is that Justin's business philosophy is to give you his best advice (what TO HIM is the best advice) because he wants you to succeed so you keep coming back to his shop. read more

Married couple are the sweetest owners ever. Been here in this little alley way for decades. It may not be noticeable where they post but it's a great aquarium with all natural plant systems. We've been here many times and today we picked up a already made stable tank so I can fill with guppies. The clear water tanks, happy fishes and lush green plants thrive so well with the care and love the couple put in. They know the economy itself isn't doing so well and we don't know how long they will stick around. If you get a chance or happen to be in the area. Stop by and say hello. If your not a fish person, that's okay. They both speak English and are happy to see customers. It's nice to look at. I'll update my post once I set mine up at work. read more

my new favorite spot. The owners are very kind and welcoming. almost every tank is a natural tank full of plants. no other place comes close to this one. i can literally spend all day just looking through everything. they have to let you in so please respect their place. definitely a place to see if you love fish keeping. a bit far from me but ill be back for more. also theres public parking on the street and a garage across. this place are made for guppy lovers but they also have other fishes. Nothing compares to this place. Also bring cash so you don't get charged for using a card. read more

To put it simply, Justin and Ady saved my fish. And for some background, I'm not a fish person. I had one as a kid that my parents took care of. On a whim, I brought a betta fish home a few weeks ago without doing a lot of research (my bad), and have gone through the ringer trying to get my tank right. Petsmart, Petco, google, Reddit - everyone telling me different things about how to adjust the water to get it just right and to fit my betta. Eventually all of this information overload led my tank to have a high pH, unbalanced because I used a few pet store water test strips that told me my pH was fine. My fish was sick, laying on the bottom and not eating (for weeks). The water was cloudy. I was very near giving up and frustrated, and saddened thinking of losing my fish. As a last resort and after spending a lot of money on chemicals to 'fix' the water, I stopped by Ocean Aquarium to talk to a real fish person about my very real problems. Justin knows a lot of information. He's been there for 35 years. He is as honest as they come. I told him all of my problems and he answered each question in detail. He told me - off the top of his head - the San Francisco tap water has high pH. And even though he was busy, he took the time with me to make sure I understood everything on how to fix my tank. The tanks in the store are beautiful and well kept, and the fish are happy. He uses very simple techniques to create self sustaining ecosystems that require minimal ongoing maintenance which goes against standard fish industry guidelines that you find online. A lot of this 'advice' online is to get you to buy products. I'm sure it works for some, but I found Justin's approaches to be more natural, organic, and easier in the long term for my tank. Within 3 days of taking Justin's advice, my fish has started to eat. He's swimming around, and the pH has been adjusted. The water has cleared. The difference has been night and day because I thought this fish was a goner. I'm so thankful to have an honest and kind neighborhood fish store, and so grateful for Justin and Ady. A lot of fish stores have been condescending towards me because I am a new fish owner. Justin never made me feel that way - he wanted me to thrive in this newfound hobby. Ocean Aquarium is worth a visit. read more

Ocean Aquarium - Nebby, in his clear and happy tank. - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

Recently I was in San Francisco with my wife for her birthday. During some downtime I looked up to see if there were any fish stores in the area as one of my hobbies is fishes/animals. I found this one and it was only a mile away from the hotel, so I walked there. Being they San Francisco has gone downward with all the homeless and dirtiness, expect the area to not be clean. The stores door is small and the place looks hidden, but once you step inside it's a whole other world. Walls covered in tanks, fish and plants everywhere...All the supplies you can need. I spent some time walking around and finally spoke with the owners, a friendly and knowledgeable pair of owners. I spent at least 10-15 minutes just walking through the store and talking with them, they told me about the store and some of the fishes I was interested in. In the end I did buy some fish and plants for my tanks, I wish I had a store like this near me, but kind of glad it's not because I would be spending a lot more money there lol. Definitely recommend, just remember the area is not the best. read more

I don't care where you're from, or how long the drive is, you need to come here if you're a fellow hobbyist. They have a great selection of fish from around the world, affordable hardscape materials, and the plant growth in their tanks is outstanding. But the best part, are the owners. 35+ years of passion, experience, and knowledge, that they're excited to share with you. I had a great conversation with them, and to top it off, Justin will give you an origami shrimp if it's your first time. Come support a family-owned treasure! read more

Ocean Aquarium - straw-origami shrimps made by the owner Justin - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

Owner was very friendly and helpful! While there, I purchased a product to lower the PH. He explained how much I had to add and made a measuring spoon from a plastic straw. read more

I had the same EXACT experience as someone else's review from 3/7. The husband and wife were initially kind and helpful but became extremely defensive and very upset when I started to ask questions and take notes on my phone on the necessary required items and their rough cost. They accused me of "stealing" their advice for free without the intent to purchase and eventually told us to leave and go somewhere else. We were 100% committed to making an all-in-one purchase here to support a local business and develop a relationship as we continue to pursue the hobby. What was most disappointing was when my fiance eventually interjected and asked the owner and his wife, in Chinese, why they were accusing me and assuming I was trying to cheat them, the owner and wife replied in English "ASIANS DON'T TREAT US WELL". "ASIANS COME HERE AND ASK QUESTIONS AND DO NOT BUY ANYTHING" "WHITE PERSON COMES AND ASK WHAT I NEED AND JUST BUYS IT". My fiance and I are both Asian, and we both grew up in San Francisco, and it really bothered me to hear this from another Asian person. I know this was a misunderstanding, but I do not agree with the way they treat their customers. This hobby can be demanding when it comes to what you need, and the cost of things can quickly inflate to amounts you did not initially expect it to be. I was simply trying to assess and understand what everything was going to roughly cost. read more

Pro tip: there is a parking garage across the alley from this store. I missed it my first visit and wish I'd known! I was in the market for a betta fish and wanted to go somewhere that wasn't a big box store, but would have a big selection. This was the perfect place!! So many bettas to chose from, including females (which is what I got). They also have a large selection of other fish, I purchased 8 green neon tetra at the same time. All healthy, all in my tank now with no issues and looking beautiful. The shop keepers even gave me a hand-made drip acclimation cup for free! I used it when I got home and it worked perfectly. They are so kind! This shop really is incredible, so many tanks in every possible place, nearly overflowing with healthy plants. They also have lots of hard scape and food options. Everybody should visit at least once, and make it a staple if you're lucky enough to live close by! read more

I was very pleased to have been referred to this shop by another aquarium business for certain type of plants and loaches. All are well and in fact, the plants I have are doing well I will be adding a few more to my tank. Sadly I lost one fish, which was my own fault due to the filter intake not being covered (it is now) so I will go back again today for another fish, plant, and driftwood which they have ample in stock. I enjoyed their tanks and the health ness of their fish but was particularly impressed that Justin took the time to show me how to introduce my new fish to my aquarium with a drip cup that he provided. In other words he wanted my newly purchased fish to thrive and my tank to succeed. -Bob read more

Ocean Aquarium - My aquarium with lots of healthy plants and healthy and happy fish! - Aquarium Services Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is still my to go store for getting inspiration and ideas of how to set up a beautiful planted tanks. Store is always well stocked and you can get the best advice here, just do not be afraid to ask. You can bring your water sample and they can help test your water. Selection of fish is always well taken care of and healthy. You don't have to ever worry about bringing home unhealthy fish! Anything I brought here, will last you awhile!! The plant selection is amazing!! This is one of the must check out store if you want to be inspired to get ideas for your planted aquarium!! read more

Amazing couple, who are super friendly, knowledgeable, and you can tell genuinely love the hobby. I recommend anyone interested in starting a fish tank to come to Ocean aquarium! read more

I found out about this place from the fish hobbyist people on YouTube. I'm glad my gfs accommodated me, and agreed to come along to check this place out with me... When the Uber dropped us off, my gfs were all nervous and sweating, because the neighborhood here didn't appear too safe, and many homeless folks were roaming around right outside the entrance to the fish store. We felt safe inside the store, and it's just gorgeous in here. If you appreciate planted, freshwater aquariums, then this is the spot to go. We stayed here for almost an hour, just watching the beautiful tanks. I was in heaven because I love guppies, and they have tons here. They're even bred here. The owner is kind and helpful. He even answered water parameter questions I had. Very nice, family owned business. If you're in town, check it out! read more

Thank you, Justin and Ady, for your deep wisdom, kindness and joy. It is an honor to get to witness your work, and we cannot thank you enough for our aquariums. We would not enjoy fishkeeping without you and the world you have introduced us to. There is so much to learn and you have made it so much more affordable and easy than I realized possible. We love our fish and plants, and deeply appreciate all of your teaching. Natural aquarium plants and animals are ecosystems of wonder -- many thanks for guidance on this journey. read more

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