Sarasota's #1 Aquarium Store

Your Portal to the Deep Blue.

Healthy, quarantined fish and expert advice from real aquarium keepers - not a big box store. Over 120+ tanks on display.

Vibrant coral reef aquarium at Gulf Coast Aquatics featuring colorful tropical fish
2 weeks Quarantine
5.0/5 (120+ Reviews)
Google Verified
2 weeks Quarantine
120+ Tanks on Display

Our Underwater Expertise

Everything you need to bring the ocean into your living room. Expert advice included.

Aquariums & Equipment
From $10

Aquariums & Equipment

Quality tanks, filters, heaters, lights, and accessories. Brands that serious fishkeepers trust, with honest recommendations.

  • Trusted brand selection
  • Staff-tested recommendations
  • New tank setup guidance
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Corals
From $20

Corals

Soft corals, LPS, SPS, and anemones - fragged in-house and acclimated to aquarium conditions for better survival rates.

  • In-house fragging
  • Acclimated to aquarium life
  • Lighting recommendations
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Freshwater Fish
Most Popular
From $3

Freshwater Fish

Tropical community fish, cichlids, bettas, goldfish, plecos and more - all quarantined for 2 weeks before sale.

  • All fish quarantined 2 weeks
  • Wide variety from common to rare
  • Compatibility advice included
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Saltwater Fish
From $25

Saltwater Fish

Clownfish, tangs, wrasses, gobies, and marine invertebrates - hand-selected for health and quarantined before sale.

  • Dedicated saltwater room
  • Quarantined before sale
  • Expert reef advice
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Expert staff member handling fish Display tanks at Gulf Coast Aquatics
5+
Years Experience
Trusted since day one
Why Choose Us

Not Your Average Big Box Store

We're real fishkeepers who genuinely care about your success. Every fish we sell has been quarantined, and we'll never sell you something that won't work in your tank.

All fish quarantined 2 weeks before sale

Staff who keep fish at home and practice what they preach

Will not sell you incompatible species

Open 7 days a week for your convenience

Learn More About Us

Happy Tank Owners

Join hundreds of happy fishkeepers in Sarasota

DM

"Finally a fish store where the staff knows what they're talking about. Marcus talked me out of buying fish that would've died in my tank. That's integrity."

Dave M.

Sarasota

JK

"My kids' first aquarium has been running 2 years now thanks to the setup advice here. No losses!"

Jennifer K.

Lakewood Ranch

Ru

"Best coral selection between Tampa and Fort Myers. Healthy frags, fair prices."

ReefCentral user

Got Questions?

Here are answers to the most common questions we get

Why do you quarantine fish for 2 weeks?

Quarantine allows us to observe fish for signs of disease before they go to your tank. This dramatically reduces the chance of introducing illness to your established aquarium. It's extra work for us, but it means healthier fish for you.

Is this store good for beginners?

Absolutely! We love helping people get started in the hobby. We'll make sure you have the right equipment, compatible fish, and the knowledge to succeed. We'd rather sell you less and have you come back happy than oversell and have you give up on fishkeeping.

Is saltwater really that difficult?

Modern equipment has made saltwater much more accessible than it used to be. With the right setup and guidance, beginners can absolutely succeed with saltwater and even reef tanks. We'll be honest about what's involved and help you decide if it's right for you.

Do you offer water testing?

Yes, and it's free! Just bring in a sample of your aquarium water and we'll test the important parameters. We'll explain the results and help you address any issues.

What makes you different from PetSmart or Petco?

We're specialists who focus solely on aquatics. Our staff are real fishkeepers with years of personal experience. We quarantine all our fish, carry a much wider selection of specialty species, and we'll give you honest advice - even if it means selling you less.

Still have questions?

Contact Us

Ready to Start Your Aquarium Journey?

Visit us today and let our experts help you create the perfect underwater world.

All Fish Quarantined
Expert Advice
Open 7 Days