Great little store over in Alameda, look online beforehand as sometimes their best stuff isn’t always on display since they are still setting up their centerpiece display tank in the front as of November 2006. Steve and company recently took over store in the past couple years and are still working to revamp the store so its current state, though a little messy, is definitely still in transition. Store is long and narrow, with all the livestock except their display tank in the back area. Customer service is excellent, with Steve and most of his employees being extremely knowledgable and willing to talk about various aspects of reefkeeping and willing to try to find particular fish/corals that you may be looking for. Also, lots of his employees are from the local reefing club (Bay Area Reefers www.bareefers.com) and are among the most knowledgable hobbyists around. Supplies and equipment is minimal. Seems to have a little bit of all the basics, but definitely don’t specialize in a large equipment selection. Sometimes do have nice deals on used equipment.
NAA is definitely focused on saltwater/reef. Freshwater selection for fish and plants is decent and will satisfy most general hobby needs. Saltwater fish selection is hit-or-miss. Prices are consistently some of the lowest in the Bay Area. Fish look healthy and you can ask to have them feed the fish to check if they eat. So great selection/price when they come in with shipments, but sometimes they don’t have much fish for a week or two. Perhaps this may change as they become more established.
Coral-wise is where NAA shines, though this sometimes is not apparent from just going into the store. NAA has some of the best zoanthid selections locally, having a ‘zoa tank’ with over 40 different colorful (not browned out) varieties including ‘Armor of Gods’ (originally from NAA) and other interesting zoas for good prices (if they are not out, definitely ask, as they are still setting up). Same thing with LPS, especially blastos – with the watermelon and candy blastos being some of the nicer, and more expensive varieties (see their online website) as well as cheaper varieties. SPS include a nice selection including frags supposedly going to be available from their display tank when it gets fully setup.
SaltyDog Rating System: 1-5; 1=worst, 5=best
Store Size: smaller
Atmosphere: 3
Customer Service: 5
Ratio of Tanks: 2/3 Salt, 1/3 Fresh
Freshwater: 3
Saltwater Fish: 2
Corals: 4
Dry Goods: 2

1423 Webster St.
Alameda, CA 94501-3824

Telephone: 510-814-8783
Website: http://www.newalameda.com/
E-mail: Steve@newalameda.com
Cost: 0 USD per person
Hours: Mon - Sat 11:30am - 8:00pm, Sun 11:30am - 7:00pm

Tips:

Tips:
1) This is the store where the customer service is solid.. so if you are looking for something in particular ask as often they either don’t have their full selection on display (they seem to be in transition for most of 2006 trying to remodel the store so various tanks are being set up and taken down) or they are definitely willing to find you the fish/coral you are looking for.
2) go to their online website first to check out their cool coral selections and call to ask about their stuff before you come. Seem to have a particular focus on zoas, blastos and montis in 2006.

Type: Sights & Activities
Tags: fish store san san francisco francisco bay area reef saltwater freshwater corals aquarium fishtank SF alameda zoas blastos webster