Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets

Fantastic experience: THE BEST aquarium store i have been to in YEARS!!!! Huge selection, and very reasonable prices!! We were just window shopping this time, but will be back soon to fill our tank!!

Fantastic experience: I can't speak highly enough about everyone at Gulf! From Heath and Jessica all the way down to their newest girl! I am A reef-a-Holick and I do most of my servicing myself however I still have the golf girls come out once a month to my house and my office to service all of my tanks and I could never speak highly enough on Jessica and Rose! But it doesn't end with them because Melissa and Heath and MJ do phenomenally as well!

Fantastic experience: Stumbled across this Gem in its new location. Plan to get some orders going.

Negative experience: Wow, expensive 3 x what I would pay for freshwater fish in Indiana, & Florida has fish farms

Fantastic experience: Gulf Coast Aquarium and Pets is a great family owned business. We bought our aquarium back in 2021 I believe. They do our weekly maintenance to keep our fish healthy and happy with a clean and beautiful environment. When we have had issues they are a call, email or text away. If a visit is necessary, they are quick to respond. Jessica and Heath truly care about their customers and the animals. The personal relationships and top notch customer service is why we recommend them to everyone. Thanks Jessica and Health for all you do!

Positive experience: Great place definitely worth the money!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely great place to shop for corals and supplies to keep the tank running. Every time I've been there I've been met by staff that were eager to help. Only problem is that it is WAY too easy to blow your coral buying budget in this place.

Negative experience: Rude and overpriced. Could let one or the other slide but not both.

Fantastic experience: Excellent store. Extremely helpful and friendly. Lots of nice corals and fish. Highly recommend. Picture is of my aquarium of the anemone and goby that I purchased. Their tanks are a lot cleaner than mine.

Fantastic experience: Not many shops open anymore, nice well stocked store and friendly people! Very knowledgeable, I'll certainly return

Fantastic experience: I wish I could leave a higher star review. Super friendly, great staff, made a little girls Christmas snake dream come true, and setup a very special tank. Awesome salt water service. A absolute gem of a shop.

Fantastic experience: Only place I trust in bay county when it comes to salt water. Great coral and fish selection.

Negative experience: Owner was rude flaunting he was a supplier for many years and was upset I didn't shop from him before. There are much better local shops around town that are knowledgeable and helpful about the hobby. Shelving and lighting where really dark and hard to shop compared to other stores. Otherwise they do have a really beautiful display tank!

Fantastic experience: Look at the fish! Edit. I don't know if this place even has fish now it's been over a year from my review, the previous owner was doing something right to get 5 stars though.

Fantastic experience: I love this store! I would highly recommend to anyone. Friendly staff thats very knowledgeable on all aspects of aquariums. Amazing coral selections!

Fantastic experience: Nice store good selection of saltwater and freshwater fish and supplies. They also have reptiles and supplies for sale.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely loved this place staff was superfriendly.

Fantastic experience: We needed an aquarium relocated! We got a quote and while there was a small misunderstanding, they worked very hard to get everything moved quickly and correctly! Their final price was very reasonable and we are so happy with their team effort! I would recommend them for sure! Jessica was great!

Fantastic experience: Very friendly and knowledgeable staff with years of experience in the industry. They are at a new location, but same great service! I bought several saltwater fish from them with no issues. Their tanks are always clean and their corals healthy.

Negative experience: Actually, that was my roommate who wrote your REVIEW. No fake name was used. Why would I hide behind truths that were told, knowing you would know it was about me? I would just like to speak on a few things you mentioned, and it’s obvious that this is your word against mine! Our true friends know the kind of person we are, and will know who is speaking the truth! Insane discounts…..that would be 10%, and I usually had to ask for it. I’ve spent thousands in your store and many store owners provide their big spenders with discounts. Yes, you did take care of my reptiles during the fire, and I appreciated that enough to offer to pay you; however, you did not want to spend the time to write up the itemized bill to get your money back. You did not come move them from my house, as you said you did, but you wanted to. Due to immediate evacuation, there was no time. My dad and I did that. Oh, and “friends” wouldn’t “fire” a client when the job is not done correctly. You noticed something was not right with two of my fish on a previous visit, yet you let me spend over $100 on two new fish (whether they had brooklynella or not) and threw in a free one, just to get rid of it because you hated Mono’s since they were so mean. You always said you would NEVER sell me a fish if something was wrong with my tank……yet u did!!! I actually had a fish expert look at my clown fish and see the sloughing on his skin, that is true brooklynella that only comes into your tank via infected fish, and the clowns and mono were the only new fish added in over a year! Velvet and brook are two different diseases and look totally different. As a business owner, you didn’t even offer advice on what my aquarium could have. I thought it very odd that you didn’t say a word that night. No fish store has perfectly healthy fish unless you breed your own!!! And it’s ok to admit they COULD’VE been sick. As a business owner, and professional, you apologize and move on, and state you hope it doesn’t happen again. Why do you feel the need to mention ALL the different types of businesses u have serviced, TWICE? Does that make u feel better about yourself?? Anyone and everyone that knows me, knows I DO NOT LIE! I may forget a thing or two, but I DO NOT LIE!! And yes, I do have cameras, and yes, I do often watch MJ at work. I just hate I wasn’t watching the time my glass top was broken, that you also denied. And y’all did not put my plants back every visit because you were scared of the lion fish. Speaking of which, thank you for not charging me for my last service, Because you over charged me! AGAIN! I looked back, my balance was ZERO, so I wondered where that $186 came from?? It should’ve been $97 ONLY. I guess you somehow, paid yourself double, Again!! A true friend, person of INTEGRITY, and business owner would never talk to a client like you just did! What happened to the customer is always right? We read your reviews…..I am obviously not the first person Heath has been so rude to!! If you feel you need to defend yourself with these rebukes, SOMETHING in your heart is not right!!

Fantastic experience: They have all the aquarium stuff I need

Fantastic experience: This store has an AMAZING selection of coral frags, sea anemones, star fish, saltwater/freshwater fish etc..etc.. you name it, they have it and other non aquatic pets as well. In my opinion ,what puts them over the top is the overall customer experience!! The owners are VERY knowledgeable and truly care about the product they put out!! Amazing store! If you care about what you buy and have a true passion for your pet’s lives and living experience, YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!

Fantastic experience: Great service! Owner was very knowledgeable and they had a great selection of saltwater fish and dry rock!

Fantastic experience: My son wanted to go look at some fish while we were there. We noticed they had bearded dragons. I didn't catch the lady's name. She was very helpful with any questions I had.

Positive experience: We got there when the store was supposed to be open but no one was there, we waited around for more than an hour. We came back later that evening. It is a nice store family run, clean tanks, and lots to choose from.

Positive experience: I recently visited Gulf Coast Aquarium Inc and was impressed with their vast selection of aquatic life. From colorful fish to exotic sea creatures, they have it all. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, offering helpful advice on how to properly care for my new pets. The tanks were clean and well-maintained, and the prices were reasonable. Overall, I had a great experience at Gulf Coast Aquarium Inc and would highly recommend it to anyone in the area looking to start or expand their aquarium collection. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because the parking lot was a bit small and difficult to navigate, but that's a minor inconvenience compared to the quality of the store itself.

Positive experience: Selection is pretty good for fish, reptiles and rodents considering the space they have, prices are fair. I try to do my purchases from a LFS instead of online or chains when I can. Can't wait for the move into a bigger location, hopefully the selection will be even bigger

Negative experience: Sadly I had a decent experience with this shop . Unfortunately when the owner of the shop agreed to move a tank from my house to a friend's house corals disappeared . I do believe this guy stole a much beloved torch coral that was worth a lot of money . I confronted the owner of the shop and he got very defensive. I don't advise using this shop . we love in the panhandle and Destin and Pensacola have very decent fish stores . Please go somewhere else . The owner should be held accountable and the downtown improvement board should revoke his license . He's very dishonest !

Fantastic experience: Love this place!! Love the ppl!!!

Negative experience: Didn’t even make it inside the store. Man on the phone was very rude when I spoke to him asking where they had relocated to since that’s all I could see from the big white sign covered by a dumpster . “Big sign out front says moved across the street” “been here 3 years”.

Negative experience: One old man was very rude. I asked him a simple question. I understand some people can do it and some people can't. But I asked if he knew how to do something and he treated me like I was stupid. This is not how we treat customers a simple no would have worked. Also all the fish I bought from here died. Except for one. He was a bully fish and I had to take him to Suncoast pet store before he killed anyone else. I called trying to explain this and before I could explain he treated me like it was my fault they died and how he had them for almost a month and they were fine. I didn't want a refund I just wanted different fish he said I would have to get my water tested but I am pretty sure water isn't tearing apart my fish. I also took my water to a different store and they said my water is actually perfect. They were almost torn apart by that one fish I also have other fish and no one else is dead so this is not my fault.

Fantastic experience: One of the best pet store I be to

Fantastic experience: Awesome experience. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful. I was nervous to start a saltwater aquarium since I did not know much about it but now I am prepared and excited to start my tropical ecosystem! By far the best store in the area!

Fantastic experience: Amazing store, we checked out a couple other stores in the area, but nothing compared to the selection, knowledge, and friendliness of the staff. 11/10 experience!

Fantastic experience: Love Gulf Coast Aquarium! They have good inventory of salt water fish and and supplies and Heath will gladly order anything he doesn't have in the store. I have been shopping here for years, since they were in their original location.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly great selection of small pets and fish

Positive experience: Not a wide selection of saltwater fish unless you just want clowns but the place was clean and taken care of. Guy was cocky when I asked where a fish was and replied in a tank.

Fantastic experience: They have a lovely selection of fish and reptiles and were very helpful finding things

Fantastic experience: Amazing place the staff is second to none. They have an amazing selection of everything, and the knowledge to help you care for it. The owners are also incredible people that pride themselves with high quality products and supplies. This is always my first choice when I need anything.

Positive experience: Decent experience. More or less the same as any marine pet store.

Fantastic experience: I’ve purchased all of my aquarium supplies and fish/coral from here, as well as other pets for my kids. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoy our family trips to Gulf Coast.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful and friendly! Great with beginners

Fantastic experience: They have really nice fish for reasonable prices! The staff knows what their talking about so that nothing bad goes wrong if you want to mix fish with other kinds. I also like how they give military discount and how clean everything is. 10/10

Fantastic experience: We love working with Gulf Coast Aquarium, Inc. They are very knowledgeable and always keeping our fish tank looking great! Thanks for the help!

Fantastic experience: Best saltwater store in bay county! They are very helpful with all your questions and can order anything you want.

Fantastic experience: I think everyone at gulfcoast aquariums does a hell of a job dealing with the people they deal with on an every day basis. They have always treated me fair and like family

Fantastic experience: Every time I go in to Gulf Coast Aquarium the employees and owners are all very nice and helpful. They are also very knowledgeable. They know about saltwater fish in the world and also freshwater fish plants. The thing I like the most about them is that they are very personable to get to know you the more often you come in and they have very good quality products.

Fantastic experience: Love gulf coast aquariums, owner is awesome and the staff are amazing... don't have photos now but will be adding some very soon because I will be heading back there this weekend.

Fantastic experience: Knowledgable sales associates. Mr Heath rocks.

Fantastic experience: They have seahorses! Also everything else fish related. We think this is a nice store with reasonable prices.

Fantastic experience: Been going here for years! Always a great experience every time! The whole staff is very helpful and got me set up with this great Red Sea max E170 for a great price! I look forward to coming back soon and stock the tank up! Great job to this company! 5 stars…

Fantastic experience: Always a pleasure to shop and visit. Very helpful and knowledgeable. This to me is in no way just a retail pet store, they really seem to care. Aquariums, cages etc always are clean, and everything looks healthy. Great place with great people!!!

Positive experience: First time here in years. Staff was knowledgeable and helpful. Can't wait for them to get back into there normal location.

Fantastic experience: Great staff and a wide variety of fish both saltwater and freshwater.

Fantastic experience: Awesome place with fantastic & healthy products & the staff are reefers & are experts Aquatics & reptiles & everything they carry Can't wait for them to get into they're original home with more space for more things I want an aquatic turtle now GO SEE THEM worth the trip ><((((*>

Fantastic experience: We bought some beautifil fish there that we love and they're doing great. The owner is who helped us. He was very knowledgeable and gave us loads of valuable tips on the fish and our tank. Very helpful!

Fantastic experience: This is the best fish store in town. I got a lot of nice fish and accessories for a good price. I can't wait till they open their old store back up.

Negative experience: Not too impressed. Marge went in, lots of Questions, Pleading for help. Not too friendly, No help. Won't be back.

Fantastic experience: The best fish store in the area! Great selection of healthy freshwater fish. Great prices. Great service.

Positive experience: This is a good little mom and pop fish store. They have both Saltwater and Freshwater supplies that have OK prices. Most of their fish are in good condition especially the marine ones. I've visited like 5 times and only seen 1 dead fish, I told the staff, they apologized and removed it promptly. The staff is always nice and knowledgeable there. I have bought several fish and different supplies from them several different times and will continue to go here frequently. I suggest visiting here before going to some of the larger pet stores. It will be worth your while. For their size, they have an excellent selection of reptiles and supplies for them too. They sell live food like worms, crickets, etc... Give them a try they are a good store.

Fantastic experience: If you want folks who know their trade and care about the animals, this is your place. Lexie has treated us like family. We wouldn't consider going anywhere else.

Fantastic experience: Like this place

Fantastic experience: Very passionate about animals. Great place to shop and honest

Fantastic experience: This store offers such a wide selection of tropical fish and plants with such quality and friendly customer service. I could easily spend hours watching and learning about all that they offer here. You won't find any place better. . .

Negative experience: Unfortunately I went there 2 days ago purchased horn worms, 2.99 a worm. Then she told me the price for a Dozen was 25.00. She rang me up at 38.00 only gave me 10. I was okay with paying per worm, maybe the girl doesn't know a dozen is 12.....

Negative experience: This lady is so rude and disrespectful. Apparently her business is not doing well and she wants to take it out on random people because "her water bill is too much already!" Probably should not have started a fish tank store if you dont want to pay for water

Fantastic experience: This place is awesome I come here for all of my Aqaurium needs Heath the OWNER is phenomenal! This place is sooooo clean the fish are so beautiful and fresh I highly highly recommend coming here for all your salt water Aqaurium needs I have been knowing the owner for years and this place has never gotten worst just better and better ! I visited the store yesterday because I had to clean my tank out and 2 of my beautiful tangs unfortunately died due to them getting caught in my Wave pump well I purchased some beautiful coral and 3 cute little fishes and they are adapting very well . Lexie she is an employee there she helped me yesterday with my purchase very very good customer service she is awesome and everyone there is very helpful and patient .

Fantastic experience: Great saltwater options for fish tankard live coral. They are expanding their freshwater stock which we purchased a kuhli loach and tank decor. We will be back

Fantastic experience: Thanks for taking the time to give me a complete rundown of each tank I was interested in and all it’s options for setup. Very knowledgeable and willing to educate new hobbyists.

Fantastic experience: I have been here a few times. Staff is nice, and knowledgeable. Selection changes, and they will do special orders.

Fantastic experience: Great place for saltwater and freshwater fish.

Negative experience: Shouldn't have walked in - owner very rude and kind of weirdo, she was not concerned with some fish that were lying on their side. Very limited selection, did not meet expectations, and the entrance of the store actually looks filthy and (literally) stinks of fish. Don't waste your time!

Fantastic experience: I would go just for the friendly staff and education of these under the water creatures and their beauty.

Fantastic experience: Great store! Owners seem very positive and sincere about their business. From my short visit, it seems like she really knows the hobby. If I lived in PCity, I’d be a regular here. (By the way.... this IS NOT swim with the dolphins. Google, please delete that park review.)

Positive experience: Nice selection of fish and corals

Fantastic experience: This is a great local park for either tourists or locals. I would highly recommend a visit and plan to spend most if not all of your day there as there is plenty to see and lots of interactive shows going on throughout the day.

Positive experience: First time I visited this store initial thoughts were wow they have some nice hardware from all the matching acrylic display tanks to the 6ft tall skimmers. I would have liked to seen more coral selection. At the time they had no SPS frags in stock.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and helpful staff. :)

Fantastic experience: I got my oscar fish from there i love this place. And i go there once a week because they are one of the few stores left you can buy live mice and rats for my snake

Fantastic experience: Hands down one of the best places to receive knowledge of the salt world. Walked in knowing very little and walked out feeling like I was ready to start my new hobby. Highly recommend if your looking to get into one of the most rewarding hobbies.

Fantastic experience: This place is pretty cool. The prices aren't too bad and the fish are cared for. When I went there were only salt water fish, but the owner was in the process of getting some fresh water stuff in there too.

Fantastic experience: Great place for saltwater fish

Fantastic experience: Great staff and great inventory. The best area shop for saltwater aquarium needs.

Fantastic experience: Great selection of marine fish and invertebrates. Nice and large coral selection. Constantly getting in large orders of specimens from all corners of the globe! Heath is very helpful and never pushy when it comes to making a sale. Has some great and reasonably priced starter setups for the novice keeper.

Negative experience: Very limited livestock selection. The tanks weren't in the best shape. Dry Goods had a decent amount of offerings.

Fantastic experience: I love thus place! Beautiful aquarium stock and friendly knowledgeable staff

Fantastic experience: Great help, highly recomend a visit.

Fantastic experience: Great place to do business with knowledgeable and very helpful

Positive experience: Specializing in saltwater fish big selection of fish and corals. It also carries the chemicals needed for upkeep of your aquarium. Knowledge of the salt water hobby. I would have expected to see more locally caught fish I think there were two clowns.

Fantastic experience: Lots of really cool salt water fish!

Fantastic experience: I love the staff they are so helpful in every way. I do and have recommended them for anyone who is interested in saltwater aquariums

Fantastic experience: These are the guys your trust with your saltwater tank investment, the are very knowledgeable, offer tank maintenance and water if needed, can order you almost anything from tanks, lights, coral... You name it, I don't really go anywhere else now.

Fantastic experience: Helpful staff. Nice selection of fish. Salt water available

Fantastic experience: great resource. helpful staff, great product line and high quality fish

Positive experience: Enjoyed the variety of Saltwater fish. But the employee wasn't concerned with the Yellow Tang & another fish that was laying on it's side, shallow breathing...possibly in shock.

Fantastic experience: Lots of stuff

Fantastic experience: Nice variety of fish

Fantastic experience: Heath is very knowledgeable and informative. Great selection of saltwater fish, coral. Best spot is Bay county for hobbyist and a local business.

Fantastic experience: Awsome resource! Wont sell you fish, corals that would conflict with what you already have!!!

Fantastic experience: Staff is very helpful and knows a lot. Rows and rows of fish and corals. Also dry goods, and other tank needs