Mei Lan Aquariums & Exhibits

I’ve been going here for 25 years and I always walk away with good advice. Great product selection. Family-​owned, multigenerational business, funky like its neighborhood. The world would be a better place if there were more Mei Lans.

This man has to be the rudest of any business owner I’ve ever met, I purposely went into this business with intention of spending over 200 $ today, this being of human treated me so bad when I simply asked him how to start my fish tank, I’m trying to stick to small businesses but you can find some of the worst customer service here it’s so sad terrible terrible terrible and I don’t think he deserves not one star but they made me do it

Billy the owner of Mei Lan Aquariums is a very dedicated aquarium specialist. He educates his customers and patiently explains what is necessary for setting up an aquarium and recommends the proper fish. He raises incredibly big beautiful fish as a hobby and is evidence of his extensive interest in fish. He does not oversell his products and sells you what is necessary.
I live in Alameda and go to East Oakland because I trust Billy’s opinion. I bought a higher quality fish food here that is not available at the big box stores. When I have problems with my fish, he is really helpful and compassionate. I have learned a lot from him such as not cleaning the moss at the back of the tank so the scavenger fish can eat it.
He also has a fantastic dog named Max who he adopted. Max is learning to catch a frisbee.

i knew/​visited Mei Lan decades ago with my (departed) dad when Mei lan was in the fish and florist biz. fish meaning live fish in aquariums. literally hundreds of tanks, thousands of fish here.
floral biz meaning floral arrangements for business grand openings and flowery arrangements for mourning the dearly departed. florals sent to funeral homes. Mei Lan was the only «florist» doing this in the east bay for decades.
haven’t been in recently to check out their «exhibits». haven’t seen their fish or floral arrangements. (other family members handle floral matters).
can understand why my initial 2 sentence review got flagged. hopefully the speed readers can understand this longer review.

This review is for the superior customer service and genuine care for fish rather than maximizing his bottom line that Billy showed me. I came to him with a simple problem. My son in 1^st grade brought home a goldfish from school on his last day before summer. («Don’t worry daddy, I told the teacher you would say it was ok»). I bought a classic goldfish bowl and was told by PetsSmart the fish wouldn’t last 3 months. A year later, I needed to do something for our survivor fish, Noonie. That’s when I called Mei Lan Aqauriums.
I knew little to nothing about fish or upkeep even though it had been a year. I fed the fish daily and cleaned his bowl every week or so. Billy took the time to really explain what the options were for the tank. Eventually he suggested a package that included a small 10 gallon tank, lights, heater, and filter. I asked to buy some more fish, but he steered me away. He said to come back in a week or two. I was so glad I did. I left there with a full beginner tank setup including gravel, a small castle feature, two fake plants, LED lights with cover, tank, filter and heater for under $ 100. Could have I gone to PetSmart and saved 10 $? Yes. Would I have learned half of what I did about keeping fish healthy? No.
Billy took over his family business with I believe his brother, Victor, after his parents started it over 40 years ago, maybe longer. He extremely knowledgeable. He is worth the trip to East Oakland.
Is the shop located in the most crime free area of Oakland? No. But there is a police station two blocks away, and Foothill at that area is fairly busy and there is not a lot of foot traffic. There is plenty of street parking right in front of the store. It is worth the trip for Billy’s expertise and great customer service.
I went back a week later with my twin sons and got three more goldfish to keep Noonie company. Billy was engaging with them but not condescending, explaining things about the fish to them. Billy suggested we also get a live plant, and it looks great in the tank as well.
Go here for your aquarium and fish needs. You’ll be supporting a local business, open over 40 years, and enjoy your purchasing experience.

What a find out here in the Eastmont area! Great shop with well maintained tanks, healthy stock, and anything that you could want for your freshwater aquarium needs. Billy knows his stuff, and they’ve been here since 1961, and there is a reason. They take great care of you, and they help you out when you have questions. Great selection of community fish, and two ponds with koi! Generations of families have been keeping the hobby alive and well here in Oakland with help from Mei Lan.

Horrible owner I’ve never been to a worst fish store than this, I can’t believe people give good reviews for this store. I would give this store a zero star rating but Unilocal won’t let me. Here I am a new customer walking into the store expecting a someone to welcome and entertain any questions I have just like any good store would, but instead the owner welcomes me with «I hate my job and my life» attitude. Doesn’t look me eye to eye instead keeps looking at his magazine as if I don’t exist. When I ask a question, he replies in a rude tone as if I’ve committed a crime to him. Not to mention his store is dirty, poorly stocked, and when I tried to pay by card but didn’t meet the minimum he had the nerve to point at his «$ 10 minimum sign» as if I would have known, then he tells me «if you can’t pay im putting these back and they might be more expensive next time you come.» I also ask him some other questions and he replies, «i dont know, i dont know, I DONT KNOW…» If I wasn’t a decent person then I might have told him «go f@ck yourself asshole.» What a sh! t store, stores like these should go out of business. If you want some rude attitude, and a sh! tty atmosphere then visit this store. But if you want good costumer service and clean healthy fish then just move along.

The fish store had been re-​modeling the front, and then re-​arranging the aquarium displays inside, so finally some new varieties of tropical fish are in! Hooray!

Great fish store and very good customer service. This aquarium has been there for a long time. Love all of the beautiful fishes!

I live and work not far from Mei Lan, and only just recently learned that there’s an aquarium store by my neighborhood. What a great find! I am happy that I can get many of my fish supplies at a local business in East Oakland, as opposed to the cain stores in the burbs. When I visited, the owner was extremely friendly and helped me find everything I was looking for. There are some great ceramic ornaments, a decent selection of freshwater fish, and fairly priced bowls, tanks, plants, etc. I recommend a visit!

I’ve decided to start writing reviews on aquariums. Good ones are hard to come by. Mei Lan is defiantly in a sketchy area but I was desperate to find a decent fish store. I may have gone on a bad day. I looked like the whole store was getting remodeled and the selection of fish there was mediocre. The owner said he has not ordered fish for 4 months! I will probably go back on another day and check up how they are doing but for now, I give it a ‘meh’.

Hands down best fish store I’ve been to in the last year — most likely the best fish store in the Bay Area.
Sketch as hell location, but the experience and fish/​whatnot are definitely worth it.

The stock looks healthy and very well cared for. The staff is very knowledgeable but I always do my own research before purchasing fish because everyone has a different experience with fish. I purchased two guppies (they are rapidly multiplying :0) and a platy 3 months ago and they had no diseases and have remained happy and healthy little fish. They are so cute! In the past my little fishies would always come down with something (within a couple days). I do buy most of my aquarium supplies at the larger chain stores. But for stock — I’ll only buy here.

Excellent family owned and operated aquarium– one of the only in the East Bay, for sure! The tanks were well maintained, the fish healthy, the selection good for fresh water varieties and the staff EXCELLENT. We chatted for a good half hour when all I came for was a betta– and he knew it! He showed me all sorts of interesting things– like his self contained eco-​system, the chemicals used for keeping the bettas healthy when breeding, etc. I think the fishies are happy here because the owner obviously loves fish and knows about them. Very cool little aquarium, I’ll be back for sure.

Looked up Pet Fish store, bunch of Box Stores popped up and this place. Driven past it many times, would never know it was a fresh water fish store. Owner is very nice, knowledgeable about fish and willing to impart that knowledge.
They have been in the same place for 40 years. I am glad I vchanced into the place. AS long as they are open I will get my fish from there.

I’ve been coming here since late 2006, usually once a month. They are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Questions are encouraged and are also asked, such as take size, current types of fish owned in an effort to suggest good tank mates. Prices are very reasonable and the fish healthier than the larger chain stores.

Best fish store I’ve been to lately. Not the largest or best looking place, but the prices are good, fish are healthy, tanks are clean, and the guy running the place is very knowledgeable and friendly.
I’ve been going from store to store for the past few weeks, looking for a place to become a regular. From as far south as San Jose, through the East Bay, all the way to San Francisco. Although I live about 30 minutes or so away from Mei Lan, I will be returning very frequently.

Helpful, friendly and professional. Clean and conscientious. Definitely worth braving the east Oakland elements.

great little place. no saltwater fish. but i got a freshwater tank so who care… anyways place been here over 40 years i believe. just found out is still open. price aren’t bad and they know alot about fish. this place going to be remodel soon…