Nature Aquarium

2836 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA

Address:	2836 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
Phone:	+1 310-829-6180
Rating:	4.5
Working:	10:30AM–7PM Closed 10:30AM–7PM 10:30AM–7PM 10:30AM–7PM 10:30AM–7PM 10:30AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

Ricky Pulido

This store is stocked with some of the more rare species of freshwater fish and aquatic plants available to the aquatic hobbyist. However, expect to pay as much as 3 times the price for rare fish and plants and over twice the price for even the most common fish and plants. The price for a common fish like neon tetras was almost three dollars a fish once tax is factored in, which is a fish that can be easily found elswhere for about one dollar per fish. This is significant because small fishes like tetras require that you purchase at least 6-8 fish for even the smallest of tanks which adds up substantially to the overall purchase. Furthermore, the owner is an overall friendly person, but doesnt go out of his way to give stellar customer service, regardless of his inflated prices. I dont mind paying more at a locally owned business, just as long as there is customer courtesy and service to justify the added cost. With that said, the owner is very knowledgeable with information he has aqcuired through extensive experience in the aquarium trade. Overall, I feel this is a good store to visit if your trying to find hard to find fish and aquatic plants and are prepared to pay a significantly higher price. However, I cannot recommend this store for the more common species of fish and plants that can be easily aqcuired elsewhere at a signficantly lower cost. I understand the aquarium hobby is not a cheap one, but that doesnt mean one has to accept exorbitant prices as a result.

A Private User

The owner really, really knows his stuff. Not to sound like a snob, but ive done planted aquariums for 25 years and was trained as an aquatic biologist - usually I just ask a couple questions and when i get nonsense answers i nod my head and walk away, but not here - they know their stuff, as the beautiful displays attest to. Ive gotten many ideas just from their display tanks. One of the few people (and stores) i know of where i can ask serious questions about planted aquariums and really learn something and get great advice. Id say that the prices are well worth it as hell make sure you get the right thing (and dont get the wrong thing). Just an excellent, excellent place with healthy fish, plants and shrimp (my favorite).

A Private User

Great planted aquarium shop. Terrific selection of plants and fish and supplies, at good prices - and theyll order anything for you if they dont have it in stock. The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable. His store and his tanks are impeccably clean; I have purchased several dozen fish and shrimp from him, as well as a number of plants, and they have always been healthy. He also has a nice selection of saltwater fish and other creatures like anemones and crabs, and saltwater supplies. This is the shop that I recommend to friends who want to get into the hobby. They will set you up with what you need to have a beautiful, successful tank.

Marilyn Belknap

This place is terrible!! I went in to inquire about buying fish and a tank. I was ready to make a large purchase. The sales person was on the phone, obviously a personal call and just ignored me. I walked around the store thinking that he would hang up to help me. But he didnt. I went to dinner and came back and the door was wide open and the sales person was no where to be found. I could have taken the tank and as many fish as I wanted and no one would have ever been the wiser. I called a couple days later to tell the manager of the store about this but the man who answered the phone refused to let me speak to him.

A Private User

Best selection of fish in southern California, hands down. Theyre the sister store of ADA in San Francisco and they have some really beautiful aquascaped tanks set up. They have more uncommon killifish, have nice gouramis, even had licorice and samurai gouramis on sale, but they sold out fast! Some of their more uncommon selection had stiphoden goby and the blue-eyed gertrudae rainbow. Youll definitely find some great nano fish for your nano setups too! The only downside is that their prices can be a little steep, but its definitely worth it for their amazing selection.

Eric Jackson

If you are getting into planted aquariums, then this is the place to figure it out. Owner is super friendly and helpful. Always ready to help answer difficult questions. He will not walk around the store bugging you if you need help. He is always working and busy taking care of the shop. But if you go and ask him he will be more than helpful. Dont be shy to ask for help. His products are top of the line and he has everything you need to start you off right in the world of planted tanks. His display tanks are inspirational and beautiful.

A Private User

I have visited about 30 aquarium stores in los angeles-long beach area and everywhere in between and this is THE best planted aquarium shop. His plants are rare and his fish are even rarer. I bought about $100 on freshwater shrimp alone simply because he has such a rare and beautiful collection. His fish are also super healthy. If you have money then keep it at home because I GUARANTEE you will want to spend all your money here. I live in long beach and I try to visit once a week just to see what new goodies he has for me!!

A Private User

This placed is closed on tuesdays. Guess which day I first went there. Anyway, I gave them a second shot. I think some reviewers are over hyping this place, but two things are very true: its very clean and the plants and animals are very healthy. I dont even bother rinsing the plants I buy there. With some of the pet stores in L.A. I put the plants in a diluted bleach solution first. They have live black worms and brine shrimp for sale, I get my live foods here because it seems safer to buy them here.

A Private User

Ive been looking around forever for a great fish store with a variety of SMALL FW fish and this is it!! This is a GREAT place if youre looking for smaller fish - theres so much variety and tanks look great, not overcrowded. Theres even stuff like red/black crystal shrimp, blue shrimp, cherry, and amanos. Not a great place for cichlids and other big fish, I just saw a big oscar that looked like it was in quarantine. The SW selection is decent. Theres also a good variety of plants.

Pat Scott

2-3 yer long customer. High prices. Be intelligent. For general hardware and cheap fish, hit Petsmart. For reverse osmosis water, super healthy fish, exotic shrimp and gorgeous invertebrates, Nature Aquarium has it. Excellent advice, just not warm and fuzzy about it. If youre new to the hobby and you want to start cheap, just go for advice and inspiration. If youre looking to install a piece of art into your life, this guy will get you there.

Nick Husin

After bad experience with sick fish from other stores, including Petco, I decided to make this place as my #1 place for live stocks. Toru has great selections of rare fish like Green Neon Tetras. Ive to say that the price is a bit pricey, but well worth it for high quality fish and plants. Also, probably the best place to go if youre planning to set up a planted tank/aquascape.