In my opinion this is one of the best shops in the SF Bay area. The customer service has always been great. They're quick to ask if you need any help but more than happy to let you take your time and browse, there's even a sand box so you can plan out your hardscape. The fish and tanks are look very healthy, and while I forgot to confirm this is appears that all tanks go through quarantine. Their fish selection is amazing as well, I was particularly impressed by their selection of Dwarf Cichlids, and left with a beautiful pair of Apistogramma borellii "Opal" and a school of Corydora habrosus, which are getting along swimmingly. read more

AJ is the absolute BEST! His knowledge about fresh water fish tanks and their care is epic, and the result... the most AMAZING fish tank I have ever owned!!! His shop might be small, but it is mighty. It is so refreshing to go into a fish store and have someone actually care. read more

Great customer service and care and AJ is very knowledgeable much recommended if you are thinking about getting an aquarium

The Fish Barn is a wonderful little place where I had one of the best customer service experiences in any shop, pet or otherwise. I have a 55 gallon tank and came in wanting to add some colorful fish. I didn't know exactly what I wanted and even though I've kept fish for years I am by no means an expert. AJ showed me several options and answered all my questions. You can see the quality of the fish in every tank in the store. Ultimately I chose Cherry barbs and a week later they are all happily swimming around in my tank. When I told him the tank is at a daycare center, he showed me a type of fish that tend to follow your hand if you put it up against the glass and move it. And when I mentioned that eventually I'd like to have cories again but was concerned about having an all-gravel substrate, he said they don't need a completely sandy substrate but that you can make a beach using a type of sand substrate that can withstand a gravel vacuum. Those are the kind of details or insights you simply won't get at the "big box" pet stores. We also discussed live plants. I've never had luck with live plants, but I'm encouraged to try again after getting his perspective. I appreciated that he showed me the specimens and materials needed, without pressuring me to buy them. My only suggestion is to have signage on the building (at the top, as with the other stores in the lot). The store is located right across the street from the Orinda Library, and there is easy, free parking in the area. read more

I can't believe I waited this long to review, but AJ at Fish Barn has been an amazing help with our new hobby. He has an big selection of healthy and happy fish and never hesitates to spend the time to make sure we get what's best for our setup and the fish. My only warning is that once you start this hobby, it's hard to stop and this place is like my candy store. Thank you for the great service and healthy fish! read more

Finally a decent fish aquarium store in Orinda. If you're looking for freshwater fish you should check this place out. The most important thing I look for in a fish store is how well the fish are cared for. This place is small, but clean and the fish are healthy. It has everything I need to take care of my fish and my plants. I can tell the owner takes great care of his fish and is very knowledgeable. read more

I love the Fish Barn. This place has a great selection of fish, shrimp, snails plants, hardscape, supplies etc. I am new to the hobby and AJ is so patient in answering all my questions. Even when the store is busy he finds time for everyone. I also really love the sandbox space where you can design your next aquascape. Special thanks to Jay who helped me design my new shrimp scape. Great store, great owner! read more

First visit today, great place very helpful and very patient with questions from others. Will be back. Glad to see another LFS in the area.

Super friendly and helpful owner! Prices are fair, especially for the area and It shows that he is passionate about the hobby!

A nice boutique store with a lot of nice fish. However they are only interested in selling us a $200+ "package" with a tank and the fish. Arguing that's the best for the fish, blablabla. I said we actually had the tank but no, not selling the fish to you and got to buy the kit so off we went and got what we needed at the petco store. I cannot recommend this store to anyone. read more

We've been frequenting the Fish Barn lately as we gradually set up our new tank and introduce our new pets to it. I had a lot of questions...and our three kids had A LOT of questions, and comments, and they also do not have inside voices... The owner was SOOO patient with all of us. As newbies that wanted a smaller tank, he set us up for success without any pressure to take on more. We love our guppies and shrimp, as well as their beautiful new "aquascape" (a word I now like to throw around like a veteran aquarium enthusiast). Thank you! read more

Great Shop! They had all the supplies I came for and more! Fish tanks were Beautiful and Well Maintained. Definitely worth the trip there.

Nice LFS with a good range of freshwater livestock and plants, plus dry goods. They can handle everything from beginners to advanced aquarists with what they sell and their advice. I was impressed the owner, AJ, spent as much time as he did explaining some finer points of different dechlorinators, shrimp foods, fertilizers, plants, and fish and seemed to genuinely want to hear back from me how the fish I purchased work out in my environment. He even offered to create and hold aside a bundle of a certain plant's clippings for me to pick up in a future visit. Thanks and best wishes to Fish Barn! It's great to have a quality shop in the area. I know it's not easy being a small business today. read more

The perfect fish shop doesn't exis----- wait it does. Fish Barn is the best. AJ is awesome, the fish are perfect, great product selection. It's honestly hard to not stop there on my way home from work every day. (attached is my new fave fish, found at the shop!) read more

The Fish Barn - Bolivian Ram - Aquarium Services Near Me - Orinda, California

Dude who runs this place is super nice and well educated on aquatic life. He won't try to upsale you or make you feel like crap if you don't know what you're doing 10/10 service. read more

The 1-star review by "yong" exemplifies this place. Aj is not going to let you buy fish for a tank that's not compatible. He'll ask you a few questions to make sure you're not buying an unsuitable tank mate/solo fish for your setup. Very fairly priced and can order what you want if they don't have it in stock. Happy to make the drive. read more

My 4 year old son and I visited Fish Barn and unfortunately the owner would not sell us any fish because apparently we had an inadequately sized tank. He did not recommend buying a larger tank from him, which we probably would've, but instead told us to do some more research. Too bad, as we wanted to support this new small business. We went to Petco that same day and bought two angel fish for our alleged inadequately sized tank and they are doing great weeks later. read more

I had a really great experience with the owner, AJ, when I was seeking help with my son's ailing betta fish. He talked us through the missteps we were making with tank hygiene and helped diagnose our fish with ammonia poisoning. I was totally shocked to learn that there were various treatment options available from salting the water all the way to using antibiotics. Because we had made so many errors at home, AJ offered to look after our fish in one of his hospital tanks so that we could be sure our fish had a chance to recover in clean, oxygen rich water. He really went above and beyond for several weeks and helped us out a ton. I did pick up some plants, food and medicine from the store -- all very reasonably priced. If you're into fish, you shouldn't miss AJ and his incredible store! I only wish I discovered this place earlier. read more

I bought a bunch of plants and they are all growing nicely. None have died. They also have a large assortment of fish. The owner answered all of my questions and was very helpful read more

So excited The Fish Barn opened in Orinda! I'm newer to the hobby and AJ has been super friendly and is always so helpful with all my questions. Excellent selection of products and such cool fish. My go to place for stocking my tanks and buying food and equipment. read more

Horrible customer service! I was waiting around for 30 min to get help while the employee working there was flirting with some girls. Two teenagers tried to walk in the employee told them they couldn't look at anything without a parent, and told them to leave. Really basic option of fish. Dirty and hose everywhere. This place is a joke. I would give 0 stars if I could. read more

Update: AJ and staff at The Fish Barn continue to amaze me! They have been so responsive and have every product I could possibly need. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Extremely professional; always recommends the best. If you want cheap quality and sick fish go to big box stores. The passion he shows is what has us coming back. Not only does he want his customers to have happy healthy fish but he shows it in his fish tank care. He really does want the best for the little guys. read more

My 13 year old son has really wanted to start keeping fish, and we weren't sure where to start. We have cats, so need to keep the fish safe, and we are complete novices overall. I'm SO GLAD we came to the Fish Barn! After helping the other customers ahead of us, A.J. devoted so much time to helping us figure out what was best for us, running through how to set everything up, giving us just the right amount of options for substrate and plants, and so much more. We came home with a tank, a filter/pump, gravel, rocks, wood, heater, thermometer, plants, a light, dechlorinator, and plant fertilizer. My son is so excited to start this hobby and spent the evening setting everything up, which he was able to do independently due to the level of care A.J. took in his explanations and demonstrations. We are thrilled to start adding fish once our aquarium environment is friendly and safe, and will 100% do this through Fish Barn because we felt welcomed, encouraged, and like we will get great advice/support going forward. Thanks A.J.! read more