Aquarium Zen, LLC

Sweet Peachies

2024-05

Such a great experience! The owner genuinely has a passion for what he does. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and super helpful. It was so nice seeing someone in the hobby doing what they love. Their plants were super healthy and the fish were beautiful. Highly recommend!! :)

Rebecca Silvert

2023-12

Came by today to scope out a concept for a small tank. They were so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The salesperson spent a lot of time with me, even though I told him right away that I was in the planning stage and wouldn't be making any purchases yet. They have all the cool stuff, can't wait to go back!

Bradley Smith

2023-11

My favorite aquarium store in Seattle, but I also prefer the smaller “nature aquarium” setups this store fosters. Great selection of plants, nano fish, and invertebrates. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable too. It’s nice to just go in and see their setups that aren’t for sale for inspiration too.

Simone S

2024-04

Large selection of plants with a fair price but no more than just the basic for maintenance and accessories! Staff was friendly and super helpful!

D. S.

2024-03

A beautiful gallery of aquarium inspiration as well as all of the materials to create those inspirations. Everything you need to aquascape! Beautiful, healthy, interesting fish, invertebrates and plants. Even terrestrial plants are sold here. If I lived closer, would definitely shop here more often. What I love best of all is that all live things are HEALTHY. I don't buy live goods at my local fish shop for this reason. A true destination, even if you're just showing out of town guests this galleria of aquatic wonder. A Seattle gem!

Alivia Jones

2024-03

Hands-down of my favorite places in the world, ranking right alongside home (and the cozy bookstores of Vienna!). It's warm, it's beautiful, it's inviting, and the plants and fish practically glow with health and vitality. Steve is incredibly nice and so knowledgeable about natural aquarium design and management! The single best place to buy freshwater fish and plants, rimless tanks, and natural hard scaping elements, or just pop in and chat with Steve and the other visitors.

Forrest Koran

2022-05

Definitely worth visiting if you've not been to a fancy aquarium store, the display tanks are amazing! This is my go-to shop for plants and aquascaping supplies in the Seattle area.They carry a wider variety of plants than other stores in the area, including tissue cultures.They specialize in small, freshwater tropical fish and carry a wider variety of nano species than other stores in the area, including females of species like endlers and betta.I haven't yet bought fish here. If you look in any tank there's often at least one fish that's a little unhealthy or is having swim bladder trouble. I don't know if this means the fish are less healthy, or if other stores are just better able to scoop out anyone looking sickly because they carry a smaller stock---- Update 2022-02-24 ----Tanks and fish are looking amazing! I may have just caught them at a bad time last month. One note on pricing, dry goods are often not marked with prices and show up on receipts as "custom entry", sometimes at over twice the cost at chain stores, so make sure to confirm pricing as you're checking out

A L

2024-04

Steve has kept this beautiful shop going for years. We've always had a great experience shopping here. On the rare occasion when something wasn't right he makes it right.

Tien-jui Lee

2023-11

I came in knowing nothing. Only thing I know about fish is it needs water. Heading out with four fish, one tank, all required hardware and a detailed step-by-step hand-written setup instructions. The guy who helped me answered all my questions. Wholeheartedly appreciated.

Luke

2024-04

Beautiful shop, bought some plants and a snail and it was all very quick! Will be back!

Tofabo

2024-04

The tanks are works of art and the staff is helpful and generous with their knowledge. There is a huge variety of fish and tank supplies. 10/10 recommend.

Allen Collins

2020-05

Aquarium Zen is an amazing store like no other. It has an incredible selection of fish, plants, aquariums, and decor. This living art can turn any space into a place of stress relief and relaxation. This is what you need right now!

Laurie Gronewold

2023-05

Aquarium Zen gives us so much inspiration to continue to improve our tank. The natural tanks are beautiful and help you think in a healthier ecosystem mindset that you can’t get at a big-box store. The girl who works on Saturdays is always so pleasant and knowledgeable. Wide selection of plants. I only wish they had more affordable tank options so I could keep growing my hobby.

Harrison Moore

2020-05

I was looking for a place to find a Betta. We had purchased one from a Petco, that unfortunately came sick. So, I wanted to find a place that cared for the animals more than a chain petstore.Aquarium Zen is an amazing little shop with a great selection of tropical freshwater fish. They are small, but utilize their space in a great way and carry everything you could need.The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They helped us find exactly what we wanted, and gave us clear and helpful instructions on how to take care of our Betta properly and make sure he is happy. We also purchased some live plants to go into his tank, and were taught how to care for them as well.Very helpful staff, with an awesome store. We will be back when in comes time to upgrade our tank and add some tankmates and new plant life.

Subhay Manandhar

2023-09

The store has probably the best planted tank setups among any other store in the area. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Caitlyn (cat)

2023-05

I love it here so much!!! All tanks are gorgeous, the fish are all beautiful, happy, and active every time I stop by. I like coming in just to look at all the tanks.

Claire Anne

2024-02

Everyone was super nice and well informed, they have an incredible selection of betta fish in addition to plants. A must go place for anyone who wants to venture into planted tanks!!

Scott Stedman

2018-05

This place is rad. Owner is quiet and lets you do your own thing but provides good help and advice if asked. Knows his stuff. The plants I bought for my tank were healthy and free of disease and are growing in beautifully. He had a tank for a bit more expensive than I found it for online, and he took off as much as he could to get close to it without losing money so I'm happy to buy here. Highly recommend you check it out. Super cool little store. Crowded on Saturdays, with good reason.

Tony Long

2023-05

Incredibly cool place, I could just hang out in there forever! I love visiting local fish stores when I'm in different states and this one is a must see! The only thing was that I was sad they didn't have any stickers for sale, their logo is awesome!

Slap Artist

2023-05

10/10 if you want genetic quality bettas✅, wide selections and colors, super healthy worthier the money (trusted), long to short want a betta? This definitely the place 🤙🏽

Chris Burning

2021-05

Man this store is awesome! I came here from Bremerton as it is the only place around that I can find that has a decent selection of hardscape for aquascaping. They also have lots of plants, fish, shrimp, tools, equipment, soil and wood. It was a great experience and im glad to see its busy even with Covid going on. They were also so gracious as to pull out larger stones from unopened boxes in the back so I could be able to scape my 110 gallon. I will be going back for any of my aquascaping needs.

Devon Nowell

2020-05

They are always SUPER helpful, know a lot, and give good tips and insight to beginners and veteran aquarists alike. The shop is gorgeous, and the fish are fantastic. Also love their betta displays. No tiny cups!

CJ Dayringer

2018-05

This is my favorite place for aquarium supplies and hard to find fish. He has a great, well tended stocked supply of highly ornamental Bettas, tons of freshwater shrimp of various kinds, plants and rocks and driftwood, chemicals etc. He also has a lot of fantastic knowledge on fish keeping. Love coming here.

Maya Pena

2022-05

We love Aquarium Zen and have been coming here for probably 6 or 7 years now? The overwhelming majority of experiences have been very positive. The only somewhat major negative experience was buying a school of cardinal tetras for my 20gal aquarium and didn’t notice they had ick until it was too late and it unfortunately wiped out ~90% of my fish (a few of which I had had for about 7 years), despite treatment. This also unfortunately happened again when I went to get new ones later which also caused another outbreak (not quite as extreme as the first, but not nothing). I decided against trying a third time, and have since re-established a healthy, balanced ecosystem. The other experience was buying a plant that had (evidently) had snails or larvae, which caused an outbreak which I have to this day not been able to eliminate (over a year now). Lesson learned the hard way.. always check and quarantine plants (and fish) before introducing to your aquarium. :/ Aside from that, Steve and his staff are very helpful and knowledgeable for new and experienced fish-keepers alike. Prices can sometimes be on the higher end, but to be expected for a small-business/shop located in Seattle (and with generally high quality stock). I would highly recommend giving Aquarium Zen a shot if you’re interested in fish and aquascaping. :) Attached below is a photo of my 20gal long planted aquarium with a betta sorority, some cardinal tetras, some cory cats and a couple bamboo and cherry shrimp (and a pleco). :)

clifford bryce

2023-11

Beautiful! The store is small but packed with well arranged aquariums and terrariums and well ‘scaped tanks. Just beautiful and the staff are all fantastic and friendly.

Heidi Hoglan

2023-05

Aquarium Zen is amazing. The best Aquascaping store in Western WA. The staff is knowledgeable and really friendly, and the quality of the plants and fish just can't be beat. They also have top-of-the-line rimless tanks and equipment. Every time I come I spend at least an hour just looking at the display tanks and getting inspired!!

Mason Fagan

2023-05

If you are looking for the best local fish store to support, look no further. This place has the most beautiful variety of fish. They all look very healthy and happy, and the tanks look like there was a lot of effort and care put into them.The staff are incredibly passionate and informative. You won't leave the store with a tank without having all of the proper equipment you need to have a successful setup. There's also a taco truck across the street which for me is a plus.

Anya Lodwig

2024-03

Love this place, the fish and plants are all beautiful and healthy, and the atmosphere is calm and I always stay like 20 minutes

Ron P

2019-05

Amazing store! Quality fish and amazing plant life. They have the largest fresh water shrimp selection I have seen in Seattle. The tanks are all in great clean condition, no black algae covered and snail egg infested plants here. We got some awsome orange shrimp last vist for my daughters tank. I got Inspired by that vist and made a fish bowl for my office. It's been cycling it for 3 weeks and I can't waite to add new friends this weekend. Do yourself a favor and skip the International district and head here.

Jerry Frost

2024-01

A wonderful aquarium store in the University District, or just north of it. An excellent source for guppies and other tropical fish!