Underwater Depot

Michelle Li

2024-05

The owner is patient, sweet, and truly cares about tropical fish. He is knowledgeable and answers questions professionally. Prices are reasonable. The fish in his shop appear to be taken care of well. Everything is clean.

Joshua Sawicki

2023-06

I went here for the first time with my kids and it was absolutely amazing. The variety of different types of tanks (ex.- fresh water, salt water, & ocean like tanks) and fish they have (which is too many to name) is amazing to look at. Some of the fish my kids & I loved were the puffer fish, elephant horn fish, crawfish, baby sharks, starfish and etc... The staff they have there are friendly, professional, & knowledgeable by knowing they talk with experience.

John Dystopia

2024-04

Bottom Line: The employees there don't care about their customers.I used to think that I like to stop by every now and then and buy my fish supplies at a small business instead of big major corporations like petco up until recently....I stopped by like any other day and I over heard the guy working 4/13/24 front end talking about how his BOSS is TOO CHEAP to add another person so that he wouldn't be bored all day and how they are short staffed. Not paying to much attention to the situation, I greeting him and moved on to view the fishes in stocks. I purposely took my time so he can attend all of the other customers and when I was ready, I made my way to the front end to pay. As he was attending someone else, he point over at me and says "I don't care about this guy, hes in here all the time" as he point directly at me and walks over to the back. At that point I'm like, "Dam.... Here I am trying to support a local business and this man who has been here for a very long time now tells me he doesn't care if I'm there." At that point, I might as well keep going to petco, rack up on some rewards and points, save myself a buck and stop paying these small business that don't even care about their customers.I am not stopping by here EVER AGAIN.FINAL THOUGHTS: I live in Sun Valley so coming here has always been a convenience, but I would rather drive all the way down to Downey to Pet Town where the customer service is great and the workers there are really there to help, not to bully their customers.

Sydney Gross

2022-05

Amazing service and amazing selection of fish. Everyone is so knowledgeable and kind. They really want the best for the fish… AND you! They are realistic in what you can and shouldn’t do, and they were immense help in setting up my fish tank. Oh! And when my filter didn’t work. They gave me a new one completely free! My fish are thriving and I’m excited to get more! Come here!

Jason Tolerico

2024-04

I love this place. Great saltwater fish. Super friendly staff. And just a cool place to go!! 🐠🐟

Sour Grey

2023-08

Really knowledgeable staff if you want to really know and understand whats going on within your tank or about species on a scientific level I feel the staff here would be the best to talk to other then a marine biologist.Small but clean and tidy.Labels and prices.Some affordable accessories tools.Prices of plants and some fish are okay.Coral prices a little steep... But the quality and size are pretty nice.

Rick Brenes

2024-03

Great selection of fishes and they are very knowledgeable. This is an awesome place to get fishes from fresh and salt water.

Ohaka Maung

2022-05

Great fish selection and all. The fish were all beautiful. It's a shame that the gold tetras and anchor catfish I bought all died the same day. Very difficult to get a refund or store credit because of the distance from where I live. I don't know if I want to drive for 2 hours for just $20 back.Edit: (Ok in all fairness it's not really their fault)

Jackson Edward

2024-01

Great guys, greater fish! Very friendly and gave phenomenal advice, especially for those looking to get into the hobby, like us.

Cam Ventura

2018-05

Nice bit variety of fishes. Just a little expensive. Also more fresh water then salt water fishes. Middle row is all saltwater fishes while the rows on both sides are freshwater.

C Ray

2021-05

Found Amazing Colorful Betta Fish! Great Staff! Hooked me up with great fresh water conditioner for the health of my fish. Two Thumbs Up!

Derek Palmer

2019-05

Chris was extremely helpful in advising on what equipment I would need to set up a nano shrimp tank. I was unsure on how to set up a planted tank and he was able to give great advice, recommendations, and stocked everything I needed to get going (see photo)!

Steve Quin

2023-05

These guys are so incredibly helpful and patient. They have helped me to get my tank going and are always more than willing to answer questions and help in any way. They have a great selection of tanks and fish as well. Both salt and fresh water.

Darcell Keith

2023-08

I had given this place business multiple times. I bought a fish for my child on a Thursday, the fish died on Monday due to tail rot. The fish had to be sick when purchased. They refuse to replace it. Very petty and I won't be back. Stay away if you want to buy fish who are healthy.

Crista Cohen

2023-11

My kid has been asking for another fish tank and came here to look. There was a wide variety of fish and the person working was nice.

Gareth Ayers

2023-05

I love coming here. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful here. Stock of fish (both tropical and ocean) as well as plants and aquarium supplies are excellent. My wife loves the exotic shrimp, too. I usually find something I didn't know I always wanted when I come in here.They also offer an aquarium cleaning service, which is great for lazy hobbyists like myself.I am in the Valley but I drive over to Sherman Oaks to get my fish and shrimp every time.

InterpreterCat White

2023-07

*** updated 7/2023They now get 3 stars for the staff being friendly. However, they are also upselling expensive fish for beginners.They also are giving misinformation about breeds and the care.I have lost my confidence in this shop.They sold me Cory catfish that were sick and made all of my other fish sick. They also told me that gravel is acceptable for Cory catfish.Not at all true..The fish I bought the last few times were sick.It is great for supplies, and their prices are good.It used to be my go to shop but not anymore.Do your own research and find a Facebook group of the fish breeds you are interested in. It will make your life easier and you won’t spend your days and your money losing fish and endless hours of cleaning and maintenance.==========================+++I accidentally killed all of my fish a few years ago, I finally got over the guilt I felt and decided to give the hobby a try again. Plus, i have a kitten who would love to watch the fish swimming around.Everyone at the shop is so helpful. I called a few days after I had water in the tank to make sure it had cycled enough to add the fish.They suggested a bacterial treatment to buy which helps grow the healthy bacteria needed in a tank, and gave me tips on what to add to the water to make it live-able for the fish and plants.I went to pick out some fish, and the staff remembered me from several years ago.I asked for some starter fish, and fish that were easy for care for.I decided to start out with 2 Dalmatian Mollies, 2 candy cane tetras and 2 Glo fish.I unfortunately lost 1 Glo fish, but they did replace it for me.I decided to go with some aquatic plants in the aquarium as well.Thé selection of fish and plants is amazing. I love walking into this store and seeing all of the fish and other types of reptilesAnd non-vertebrates.They are much more knowledgeable than the local big box pet store, and only once in the many years in the hobby did I have issues with the fish I bought from them. They did replace those fish for free when it was discovered they were all sick.I am looking forward to adding more fish to my tank, and looking forward to learning more from the staff about how to have a successful fish tank and being a proper fish “parent”

S Hao

2023-05

Small store but smartly packed. I got my green neons here and they are all still alive. The workers like to talk with you about fish/aquascaping and answer your questions. Tanks are exceptionally clean. I would come here more often if not for the lack of parking and limited hours. I used to park in the back but now there are signs saying no public parking. Always a treat when I can make it.

Joshua Cohen

2023-12

If you have any questions on anything fish or tank related this shop Is a must!

Brian Murphy

2020-05

This is my go to store. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve gotten so many great plants and healthy fish from here. I got a black ram from them a couple months ago and that’s a super rare fish. Every time I go in I see something cool and unique. Parking can be tricky but I’ve never had a problem finding a space in back. I love Underwater Depot and so do my fish!

Ariel Shasha

2023-05

Quality over the years has gone down the drain. One of the owners is chill, the other should've been a used car salesman. Plant stock is low nowadays, same for hardscape materials. Everything is extremely overpriced. Bettas still in same size cups they were 10 years ago. I've yet to find a solid LFS in the San Fernando Valley, minus Mark's Tropical.

Richard Peterson

2023-08

The prices are fair. The plants are expensive and few of them are covered with algae. The big guy thinks that he knows everything and the visitors came in with 0 knowledge.

Matthew Ohan

2018-05

really like this place. I was drug around by another mom and pop fish store and was recommended to try this store. They give solid advice, have a great selection, and are not pushy or carry attitudes like some other stores. Are they a bit more than chain stores? On some things, yes, but hey, they are small business. I did find equal or better deals here on some of the aquarium supplies I needed. Also, the fish seem to be a 1000 times healthier and happier than local chains. They got my business.

Jeli Engel

2021-05

A real plus having great service, experienced staff, and a well equipped & stocked showroom in my local area. Armand (one of the managers) treats his customers with respect and fairness.As a reminder, he typically checks-in (calls) shortly before each scheduled monthly aquarium service visit. At this time, I’m able to follow-up & order required resupplies and any other special needs. The quick check-in gives me the opportunity to order new fish, plants, and frozen or live food. Moreover, I’m able to provide important (and not so important) feedback in a quick, efficient manner, and Armand usually follows-up by conveying relevant info to our designated service tech.Underwater Depot also has a full assortment of aquariums and related equipment. They recently helped me purchase and setup two new larger aquariums this year; both look sensational!

D R

2023-05

Bought a brand new tank ended up having scratches in it. Called it in they said they would replace it... ended up waiting a week got a call back they exchanged it but during that time I planned a different scape and they told me they didn't want to refund the new unused tank.So I guess this store has a no return policy?Cool cool.

Vanessa Lapato

2017-05

I've been coming to this place for about a year, and I've always found everyone there to be friendly and eager to help. They're not the closest place to my house so they're not usually my first stop. But every time I go there, I think to myself, "I should have come here in the first place." Their tanks always seem clean and well-maintained, and I've found that if I ask, they're pretty open and honest about how long they've had a particular batch of fish in the tank and how healthy they've been. I've had pretty good luck with my fish from this place surviving, but the one time I had a couple that didn't make it, they offered replacements without me even asking. They even have a frequent buyer card that earns you cash back on future purchases. Really, they're one of my favorite places in town to buy fish.

Sophie T

2023-05

Great place to come if you’re a newbie to the fish game or an expert. Staff is highly knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. They are well stocked and the fish/inverts are well cared for.

Matthew Burnside

2021-05

Awesome place. The staff is friendly and helpful. I last went to pick up a filter for my planted tank and some stones. They had what I was looking for and I'm very pleased with the quality of my purchases.

Sarah Bowie TK

2021-05

Thank you so much to Ed from Underwater Depot for helping us with our 25 year old Red-Eared Slider's tank cleaning. Our beloved turtle's tank was in very bad shape and he made it all sparkle like brand new and reconfigured her habitat so she has a better basking area. He gave us some expert advice about her care that we haven't gotten in all the years we've had her -- not from any of the other aquarium service places we've used or any of her vets. Thank you, Ed! And underwater depot!! We hope to see you again soon!

Trevor Kadletz

2019-05

I've been to every fish store worth going to in the Los Angeles area and I can confidently say as a whole Underwater Water Depot is in the top three. What really sets them apart though is their selection of freshwater fish, they consistently have fish that you will not find anywhere else. On that note I wouldn't recommend these hard to find fish for the beginner, they do however have a large selection of fish suitable for the beginner and their knowledgeable staff is great when it comes to answering questions. Saltwater enthusiasts can find a good selection of fish and coral, but the selection is not as extensive as the freshwater. Tanks are always extremely clean and the fish are always healthy and active. Easiest place to park is behind the shop. Prices tend to be on the expensive side when compared to other stores, but you definitely get what you pay for.