Octopus Garden opened in the last few years and is a good place to find rarer fish, both salt and freshwater, but not the best place for coral selection. Store feels messy and crowded, though tanks are definitely well upkept. Equipment selection is slim, though most basics in terms of supplies and food are there if you need something quick and can’t wait to find it cheaper. Customer service is mixed at best. Aaron, the owner, is moody and can either be very helpful or not at all (to the point of being tactless), and it seems dependent on nothing on the customer side. Not the best business model.
Display tanks are mostly freshwater, with two bigger saltwater displays, including a ~150 gallon and a ~ 500-700 gallon tank, both mainly with saltwater fish and mainly softie coral selection. Corals are nothing impressive. Most of his selection are beginner softies and LPS and seem very overpriced compared to his competitors.
Fish-wise is the only reason I would go to the store. His freshwater selection is impressive, as is his saltwater selection (though it seemed like the selection of more uncommon fish is going down recently). Again, prices are among the highest in the Bay Area, often going for almost double other LFS, but quality of fish are good and often he has fish you only could find online otherwise.
If you are looking for a particular fish and don’t mind paying to see it in person (versus online) give Octopus a call, otherwise prices generally are a turnoff.
SaltyDog Rating System: 1-5; 1=worst, 5=best
Store Size: medium
Atmosphere: 2
Customer Service: 2
Ratio of Tanks: 1/3 Salt, 2/3 Fresh
Freshwater: 4
Saltwater Fish: 4
Corals: 2
Dry Goods: 2

3039 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94705

Telephone: 510-849-4450
Fax: (510) 849-4460
Website: http://www.tog-net.com/
E-mail: berkeleyaquarium@yahoo.com
Cost: 0 USD per person
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 1:00pm to 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 7:00pm. We are closed on Mon

General Directions:

Located on the corner of Essex and Shattuck, between Alcatraz and Ashby, within easy access from Highways 13, 24, 80, 580, 880, and 980 and only two short blocks from the Ashby BART station.

Tips:

1) Check out the store if you are looking for fish and don’t mind Aaron or the employees if they either totally ignore you or seem moody. If he is in a good mood advice is forthcoming, though stick with the basics as he seems to not know more nuanced questions about saltwater.

Type: Sights & Activities
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