I came to see if they had any plakat bettas in their selection but very basic variety as to be expected which I wasn't bothered by. However what I didn't expect to find: half the bettas in their stock were dead, and had been for a while, and the other half were almost dead. Cups were stacked in a way no air was going to make it into the cup below and they looked as if it's been some time since their bettas even had a water change. One of their clownfish had pop eye and many others looked to have some fungal infections etc. Lack of fish care and quality compared to price just isn't worth it. They're also charging 99 cents a piece for comet feeders which is astronomical for a 10 cent feeder at most other places. Also while there two employees decided to have an argument that should have been in private. Loudly calling out your employees on slacking off shouldn't be done with your customers a foot away and continuing with the argument putting your business out? The other employees were very nice and checked to see if we needed help often which was nice. Big selection low quality. Probably would try one of the many other fish stores around here before this one. read more

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Figured I would support a local store instead of ordering online. Had them order a light for me that I could have ordered myself. Waited about 2 weeks for them to get it in then was charged almost $15 more than MSRP and ALL internet sites. Next time I'll just order it from Amazon Prime, get it in 2 days and not be over charged. Way to rip off your local customers... will not be returning read more

This place is the worst, they don't have a worry in the world for your fish, time or money. I once thought that this place was a reputable company that has all changed. I called the store for service on a 90g reef tank and the guy who answered said he could take care of the service. He gave me his name and number. After calling a few times he finally called back with all kinds of excuses of why he is just now calling me. We figured out a time and day that worked for both of us. He showed up an hour and a half late and looked and smelled like he was smoking pot. My wife was the one home and she was really uncomfortable with the way he was behaving. She said he seemed really flirtatious and grabbed her arm a few times. Needless to say after he cleaned the tank I lost 3 of my beautiful fish that I had for over two years. I tried calling and texting the service guy and he totally blow me off maybe because he was worried about what I would say about his behavior with my wife. I called the store and they said they don't have anything to do with the service guys even though he works there and gave me his information when I called that store. News flash if business is being conducted out of your business you have everything to do with it. I will never recommend this store or the service guy Jason. Terrible business ethics. read more

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Great place. Purchased a tank here and made a custom salt water tank for our house. Very friendly and ready to help as soon as you walk through the door. Mainly go here for our fish and tank needs and of course salt water! read more

Great shop. Yes it gets busy and sometimes a person will get waited on before you. I kind of suggest a take a number like you do at the deli. However when you go to buy a fish they ask what you already have and if it's not something that will work well with the current stock they will discourage you from buying it. Same with corals. They want you to have a successful tank. Not all places are like that they just want the sale. They always carry my water to the car and wish you a good day. I have done business with them for years and highly recommend them read more

Great place. My go to for all my marine supplies, and often even livestock. Knowledgeable staff, large selection, and reasonable prices. And they recently started a rewards program, so that helps the regulars save here and there. read more

They have a nice selection of fish and corals. The employee Andrew was very helpful and friendly. If Andrew had not taken the time to speak with us, we would have walked out empty handed. We had a much worse experience with the older guy who was the cashier beside Andrew when we were checking out. That person was rude and had absolutely no customer service skills! We probably will not be shopping here again because of how rude the other gentlemen was! read more

So my wife and I got a fish tank from a friend that was "saltwater ready" and I decided to stop into Barrier Reef to get started. I'd been in there before and it was a bit hard to get someone to help. Be warned you have to approach them not the other way around until they know you. Now that I've been in a few times and talked to a few people I'm super excited about this hobby. Ready to get a bigger tank. If you go there I recommend Munsey or Darrel to speak to. Those guys are awesome read more

Really nice store. Only flaw is no one never comes and helps you. You must find somebody every time

9/10 ten the fish you will buy here will be good. To me those are good numbers. I love barrier reef! My ex and I picked up the aquarium hobby and really enjoyed it. Decided to stick to fresh water because of its low maintenance and we really enjoyed our elephant nose fish. The staff is very friendly. They have enough people ok the floor now which is great. Come pop your head in barrier reef and you might get sucked in the hobby like I did. Great place! Free water test too! read more

Nice shop, people are friendly but it is never adequately staffed. If you're not willing to wait around an infuriatingly long time, don't come in here. read more

Went to The Barrier Reef today to get some live sand and other miscellaneous equipment for my new 75 gallon reef tank. An associate helped me pick out everything I needed, and explained each thing as we got to it. Extremely helpful and friendly. I'll definitely be going there from now on. read more

This place is very nice, the employees/staff are very helpful, and all the fish are very nice, pretty, and healthy

Went in here the other day with essentially no clue what i wanted or knowledge of aquariums. Nice young guy with short blond hair helped me out, in 25 minutes i was leaving with everything i needed to get a 20 gallon fresh water tank setup. I didn't want to spend to much money and i didn't, he gave me all the options and helped me weigh the pros and cons. He wasn't push, was patient and was very knowledgeable. I am really happy I bought my setup from that store, I went online later and found similar 20 gallon kits for a lot more money... so I feel like I got a deal. I will be returning soon to stock the tank with fish. read more

So far so good! I've been in 5 times getting my first saltwater tank setup. Bought a nano cube 29. Robin was extremely helpful (I'd suggest asking for him) because he is very knowledgable and willing to answer questions. read more

I've been coming to the store since I was eight years old since I moved down to Florida at one point even my dad had a competing aquarium store against these guys I may say something about the barrier reef team and the owner I don't know who they are exactly they work extremely hard to bring in the best aquarium and aquarium exotic fish that they can so anybody that has anything bad to say about barrier reef experience what I experience healthy fish healthy environments the only issue we've ever had with barrier reef was an eel that attacked my puffer fish that was not their fault that was in idiocy of one of the staff saying the eels can be in tanks with my Stone crab it was an $800 eel the EO got split in half by the Stone crab but it's OK I ended up eating the Stone crab so I got back at it but the point here is don't underestimate barrier reef because of anything battle you've heard they are the best aquarium store in all of South Florida and the biggest selection if you want it they can get it they have everything I have been coming here I haven't been here in many years I don't have tanks anymore but I love this place and I would always suggested to anybody that's interested in coming here do your homework on your own some of the staff are assholes but figure it read more

All the saltwater fish are sick, its a big cesspool and they wont feed the fish for you if you asked them to see if the wild caught ones are eating before your willing to buy them. read more

I have a sick betta who is going down hill fast. I asked everyone at my office who lives in Boca if they knew a specialty fish store vs one of the big box stores for medication for him. This place was recommended for being close. I drove over on my lunch hour. 2.2 miles from my office. I spent the entire hour waiting for someone to help me as the medications appeared to be behind the counter. One time someone said "excuse me" walked past me and asked the person behind me if they needed help. So I went in the fish area, saw an older man coming from the stock room. He glanced at me and then yelled to the man who had just entered the room that he was coming to help him and brushed past me. I ended up leaving after an hour without even being acknowledged and with no medicine. Time to go back to a box store where they at least speak to you. The other reviews that say if you aren't a regular, you are ignored here are 100% true. read more

Beautiful store! A lot of selection! Healthy fish! Great staff!

STAY AWAY! Over the last year I have been customer of this establishment. It has been a very painful and extremely costly endeavour. First their inadequate filter system, which they rectified and other customers in my situation. Following the reconstruction of my tank and purchasing fish from another store I had created with the help of my friend who is in the business, a wonderful tank. Then I made the mistake of purchasing fish from Barrier. It was a total loss with a brown tang. Working with my expert to regain my loss I upgraded (i had a 55 galon and upgraded to 120) all was going well until latey I made a silly mistake and purchased a powder blue tang from Barrier. I'm in the process of loosing most of my fish and still counting once again. Barriers owners have commented that you walk out the door you own it with only store credit but are willing to see what happens and go from there. With having approximately 20 fish and now down to just a few, why would i want more fish from them. I tried to make them understand that the majority of the fish they have are in copper based water. I have a reef water system which allows me corals etc. They do not quarateen fish. They basically dump and sell. This has equated in losing thousands of dollars worth of fish and having to endure the traumatic and stressful situations of watching my fish die in front of me. I know you are not supposed to get attached to the fish but the beauty of a salt water tank takes over. With the help of my professional friend we will once again rebuild so I can enjoy what I have so painfully tried to achieve. As for Barrier I will no longer do any business unless they change the policy in handling and selling their fish. PERIOD...... read more

Very knowledgeable staff, great selection. They don't try to push anything on you, just suggest what is best for you and your tank. Everything live I've bought has been healthy and has done good in my tank. read more

They often have a diverse fish selection but the service is often lacking. If anyone looks like they are doing maintenance don't ask them for help or questions you'll get a rude annoyed response. Nice shop, ok service read more

I've gone to this fishstore for over 20 years and have been in the saltwater aquarium industry and business for over 10 years. This place is so good but does have several major flaws. For example, when it is busy you can expect to wait sometimes over a hour just to a few gallons of water. Also I would say most of the staff are wonderful, kind, personable, and friendly staff except for one or two apples such as elderly man with white/grayish hair who has a attitude every time I speak with him or acts as if he is in rush or just has no people skills and is always condescending. The prices at the store can be high but sometimes they do a holiday sale and it is terrific. I would recommend that this place does a SWOT analysis as well as a Risk Analysis and Assessment to better itself. Don't bother bringing corals or fish here they are not interested (even if you purchased it from them and the fish/coral quadrupled in size). Sell your fish and corals on eBay, Craigslist, or any online fish/coral website. read more

This place is a complete scam, I had a gift card with at least $20 on it from the day earlier so I knew it was valid and then when I was checking out they said there was zero dollars on the card and since they had already bagged the fish there was nothing they could do. Moral of the story is that they knew I had money left on my gift card but they wouldn't accept that and made me pay cash instead, a complete scam!!!! Staff is very rude as well!!! read more

Nice store with good selection, but the policies left me with a bad taste in my mouth: 7 DAY RETURN POLICY, STORE CREDIT ONLY! Really, this is the kind of thing you would think you would've seen 50 yrs ago before the days of customer service! I could go to Petco, Pet Supermarket, Petsmart, etc. and return an item within 30 days and get my money back, chances are at a better price than Barrier Reef--since their prices tend to run high! Not to mention the service was just okay, not much better than you would get at one of the chain stores. If you want to be a legitimate fish shop you've to get your store policies out of the dark ages and get some employees who actually know what they're doing, not just people who suck up oxygen. I would go there only as a last resort, if one of the chains didn't carry a product. Their single location coupled with their punishing policies make it not worthwhile. read more

Nice selection, but the chaotic arrangement/no organization gets frustrating when you are trying to find things. Good luck getting help, though I'm sure the staff is knowledgeable. Seemed like the attention you get depends on who you are (glad they are loyal to their regulars, but they weren't at all welcoming when you walk in unknown). I can't imagine how frustrating it would be on a busy day. When I finally did get help, he was subtly condescending, treating me like I knew very little. No interest in going back. read more

Love this place. I go there all the time. The staff is so knowledgeable and helpful. They test your water in store and have such a wide variety of fresh and saltwater fish, corals, and tanks. I have been so many places and have been given bad info when it comes to caring for our tanks, I really trust that these guys know their stuff. They haven't steered us wrong. read more

Great staff, good prices, best actual local fish store i have been to in florida.