Natural Life Aquarium

This is a nice fish store. there are good selection of live corals, saltwater fish, freshwater fish. they staff is not the friendliest and sometimes when you have a question you feel as if you are bothering them. (I mean him) there is usually one person working.
tip if you are buying coral be aware there is flatworms in the coral tank. many stores have them and they won’t kill the tank or anything but they can get out of control so just be aware. i mention this because i can see them on the aquarium front view. but for advance aquarist you guys know you should be dipping everything and qt them also.

Great coral selection and healthy live fish. The staff is both knowledgable and helpful and although this place is small, it satisfies all my marine tank needs. Thanks, Manfred!

While this store carries some things that others do not. The staff is extremely rude unless they’ve already bagged something for you. Otherwise they can’t be bothered.
Something else to note: unless you are dying for a particular item or animal, SHOP AROUND! The prices here are amazingly over priced! There ARE stores that’ll match online dry goods prices, if you don’t want to order from online.
All in all, for me personally, it’s the customer service. I’ve been ignored when the store is full and empty. Not cool.
I’d only shop here if you live close, or if you’re desperate.

A great local shop for your general aquarium needs. A little of everything, freshwater, reef, ponds. Well stocked in terms of basic supplies like filter media, dry goods and conditioners. Nice soft coral selections, as well as some locally bred freshwater fish. Prices are fair, not gonna beat most online merchants, but I’ll pay a few bucks more in order to see local stores stick around. I would never have gotten into this hobby if it weren’t for a local shop just like this one.

I really do not like giving LFS bad reviews. I believe it’s an economy which is closing in on itself and needs to be supported.
However, this place is really not much better than Petco, although their fish, generally speaking, seemed healthier. The tanks are disgustingly overcrowded and based on their location, I would not believe they sell enough fish to warrant the overcrowding in the tanks. Some of the freshwater tanks were so overcrowded the fish barely had any room to swim.
The entire store is disgusting, it reeks of cigarette smoke, the employees who offer to help, offer one word answers at best. Most things, including livestock are not priced, so you never know if you are paying the actual cost, or a cost just made up on the spot.
Their freshwater plant stock was no better than what you would find at Petsmart or Petco.
I asked the owner a simple freshwater aquarium question and he barely gave me an answer, if I were new to the hobby, I know I would be quickly led astray at this store.
With no marked prices, I would much rather trek down to Neptune’s or Albany Aquarium, both places are helpful, kind, knowledgeable and honest.

The one other employee here besides the owner is rude, unhelpful, doesn’t know the prices, is passive aggressive, doesn’t pick up the phone and would rather eat a sandwich than help the customers. I actually had to break the conversation to ask him to stop being angry and aggressive with me. Stock is good, fish and corals are healthy. Prices are a bit high, but you generally get what you pay for. Looks like there is some serious communication break down between the owner and his one apathetic employee.

I typically visit a couple LFS. But this one in particular is my main store. The prices are usually cheaper or competative. However corals is always a supply and demand hobby. Manfred (the owner) knows his stuff and anyways helps me solve any issues and gives me great advice on what to buy and what not to buy. He is never pushy, gives you a couple options, and is a great well of knowledge.

This was the first time that I’ve visited this location. I’ve visited them their previous location in Sunnyvale before it burned down. Manfred the owner, told me that a fire started next door because a short stack fridge on wheels bumped a printer at the plug outlet. And the printer wasn’t even on!
In any case, Manfred may not be the friendliest of guys when you first meet him; but don’t take it personally, he’s just not a «people» person. And that’s okay with me because what does matter is that he’s a passionate aquarist and the health of his livestock is excellent. The coral were vibrant and growing like weeds. I have no idea how in the world he’s able to grow his Bubble Gum Monster chalice and Miami Hurricane chalices to such epic proportions! He tells me that he’s only had them a year, and they just explode in growth!
He doses alkalinity and calcium everyday and keeps his water parameters spot on. So like I was saying, he may not win awards for hospitality, but Manfred sure knows his stuff.
The only other thing is that the prices are a little higher than I’d like to pay, which is why a drop in star. But if you want good solid advice and healthy livestock, then you can’t go wrong with Natural Life.

Firstly, I LOVE THIS PLACE!
The selection of live coral is the best in the Bay Area! The fish and corals are healthy and beautiful!!! I’ve purchased my entire salt water tank as well as live corals here too!
Best part about this place is that I can get my salt water as well as R/​O water (reverse osmosis) here!
This place is a gem and I will and do continue to go on a weekly basis!

The closest aquarium shop for me. The owner is a cool guy as long as you don’t try and get over on him by too much. Just be fair about it because they already know you can get the same thing for less online. I’m about supporting my lfs and will shop here if the price isn’t way off. Every fish I’ve gotten from here is thriving. Also got my tank and stand from here for a good price. Do a little research about what you want before going here and you’ll probably come out with what you need for a reasonable price. The saltwater selection is pretty nice and he got a gang of coral. Again, don’t expect internet prices and you won’t be disappointed with in store stock and prices. Remember, everybody’s in sales!

I came in just for some advice on pumps, sumps, filters, primarily for set up for a 100 gallon tank, mind you this will be for fresh water fish, the staff that I spoke with gave me all the information I needed on what I will need, pretty much summed it up in once question, how often did you want to clean the tank? Smiled and said the least I will have to clean the tank the better, the worker basically said I have what you need, two 450 gallon tank filters, pretty much will only have to clean out one of the filters once a month, followed by the other filter the following month haha.
I also asked about sumps, bios, ammonia levels and other things, guy was very informative so I left with enough information to prep my tank. It is a smaller shop not much of fish stock but all of their fish look healthy which is a + in my book. I will be back to buy filters, bios, and more advice for some bottom feeder food for fairly large catfish if not floating food for fairly large arowana’s/ oscars.
price $-$$$ depends on what you are purchasing
service ***** excellent customer service, thank you for all the advice
ambiance **** clean, healthy stock of fish

I went here today after reading a craigslist add about some electric blue rams. I ended up grabbing 8 of these little guys as well as some awesome endler guppies. It’s clear they take a great deal of pride in the stock of fish that are available at this store. I’m a hobbyist that enjoys purchasing quality fish and doesn’t mind paying for something spectacular. I got all that today and am stoked about watching these rams grow. If you’ve been to all places in the bay and haven’t checked out this hidden gem go there to be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve visited the store several times over the last half year and I have to say I am impressed compared to other places in the area.
They may not have the biggest coral collection but it’s a strong selection. The marine livestock they carry are usually marked (especially the larger ones) with dates so you know if they are well settled, versus straight from importers where they may not be healthy or feeding well.
The owners may not be the most charismatic, but they know their trade and can be quite knowledgable with the right questions.

1 — You are not going to get the best deals on everything at any single store
2 — You really need to do your own research. If you walk into ANY pet store and let the employees 100% dictate your purchase, you need a new hobby.
3 — SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FISH STORES
Natural Life Aquarium has an excellent selection for such a small shop. and as long as you keep up with your own research and planning (as you SHOULD in any hobby requiring a fish tank), their prices are pretty good. There are a lot of things that the two guys (the owners?) there say that I disagree with, but honestly if you go to 10 different fish stores and ask about the same thing you’ll likely get 10 different opinions and you shouldn’t be going to one single store for everything anyway.
I recently got a Mantis Shrimp from them and the price was definitely right. At $ 20 it was likely the cheapest I’ve seen on the peninsula. They claimed it was a certain species which wasn’t at the top of my list but an executive decision was made and when I got back and had a proper ID, it turned out they were wrong and I got the one I was looking for all along for a fantastic price.
There’s no doubt to me that local fish stores are a dying breed that need to be supported. However, that doesn’t mean that you should expect them to solve all your problems or be specialists in absolutely everything as that would just be ridiculous. Every fish store has their own strengths and weaknesses.
Do your research, walk in prepared, and buy something.

I found this place via online search as it had been awhile since I’ve purchased aquarium equipment or livestock in the South Bay and was pleasantly surprised. They generally have great selection on fish (both salt and fresh) and almost always better pricing.
The staff are wonderful once you get to know them. I found them to be very knowledgeable with great suggestions… and I’ve been around the block a few times as I’ve been keeping both fresh water and salt water reefs for the past 17 years.
I buy about 90% of my livestock and hardware from these guys and have been very happy with the service and products!

The Asian guy never seems interested to help us with fish. He looks and acts like he is high on some kinda drug. He sold us an aggressive pike fish and didn’t even tell us till we got home and the next day all our smaller fish where gone.
Sucks cause they have a great selection of fish but horrible service. I’ll spend my $$$ some where else!

I’m posting this review after having emailed the store on multiple occasions about their positively wrong Craigslist ads and having not gotten a single response.
As of four days ago, they are still posting fresh Craigslist ads for baby Sulcata tortoises with absolutely wrong information.
1) Saying that both parents are over 100 years old is a lie, as the oldest recorded Sulcata tortoise in captivity barely halves that.
2) «Can be kept in a dry fish tank /​aquarium with sand,» is absolutely wrong, as such care would either kill the tortoise OR cause extreme pyramiding.
3) «These tortoises are extremely hardy, very easy to take of, and are very cheap to feed as they are vegetarians,» is the most extreme lie of all. These tortoises grow to over 200 pounds and represent a serious financial commitment. With necessary supplements, lighting, and substrate, this is an expensive pet.
Additionally, the list price for said tortoises is a good $ 30+ more than the normal sale rate. Businesses like this are the reason for the growing problem of abandoned/​abused tortoises, and, if they are misinformed/​lying about their tortoises, I wouldn’t trust what they say about any of their other animals.

We went to this place because it’s in our city, and found the store clean and the owner knowledgeable. Prices seemed fair. We fell in love with the six baby Sulcatas tortoises in the tank in the front. Asking the owner about how long they’re stay small, he said «oh, they’re be about this size for 3 – 5 years.»
Bull crap! As members of a turtle and tortoise club, we were told by the other members that this species is one of the fastest growing tortoises! They can grow to 35 – 50 lbs. within 3 yrs!
So, that experience tainted my taste for this place. As much as I support small businesses, I still like them to be truthful and real. Plus, he misplaced my information on a part that I had ordered and prepaid, and if I didn’t drop by, I’d never have gotten this item. I want so much to go back and give him another chance, and buy something else.
I do wish him the best of luck. But his integrity level has got to improve! This critique is meant to be constructive.

I went in and purchased a plant and $ 1 feeders… He asked if I have ever been here before, I reply, one time… He rings me up for $ 12 and something cents… I just looked at him and paid. The plant was $ 10.99 !!! I didn’t ask because I never seen them for over $ 4.99 ANYWHERE… That week I purchased 3 more of the exact plant from PET CLUB for $ 3.49 each! I have been into the hobby for over 20 years and trust me… this place sucks. I tell all the local Cichld Club members to stay away.
All these positive reviews are probably his friends… NO WAY you should buy anything from this store… Too many other reputable aquarium shops to waste time and money with him.

Due to misleading information on Unilocal,I thought the store had been closed for good, but in fact it was moved from Sunnyvale to South San Francisco! Finally I had a chance to stop by today and visit with the owner to find out what happened to the Sunnyvale store after the fire damaged that forced them out of their old location.
For anyone looking at getting into the hobby, I strongly suggest taking advantage of a local fish store like the Natural Life Aquarium. People at the store are passionate about fish keeping and have the experience to help make this hobby fun. Yes, you may be paying a little more for the goods, but I know from my own experience that you get more than just the goods, and once you factor in the advice and service they provide, you know you are getting a great deal.
I debated for a long time whether to give them 5 star as I know they deserve, or 4 stars for now because the saltwater selections are very limited while they redo their saltwater display tanks. Having said that, I was able to confirm in person today that the selection of freshwater fish and the friendly/​knowlegeable advice provided have not changed, which to me really deserve 5 stars!
The store has been in the bay area for a long time, I live down the street from their Sunnyvale store. When I first started the hobby 5 years ago, I was in the store every few days askings tons of questions, having my water checked by them, and shamelessly asked for discounts after I got to know them better. The service I received time and again have made me a loyal fan for years. I think many others that have known them felt the same way. Today, I’m glad to confirm that they have only changed the location, and not how they do business.
Please read my other reviews, and make a decision for yourself. The owner and staff are nice people but they have to make money to stay open. I usually ask for discounts, most of the time they will give me one but not always, but that should not be the basis for a bad review.