Visiting Tampa Bay, looking for LFS recommendations

[FrostyFins]

Hello all,

I'll be visiting the Tampa area in a few weeks and was hoping to get some recommendations for local fish stores to visit. I'm newish to saltwater and there's no LFS near me so this is my first chance to experience a high end store. I really just want to nerd out about fish/corals while I escape the cold.

Thanks for your input!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! There are some okay LFSs in Tampa, but nothing like Worldwide Coral, TSA, or Living Reef in Orlando. If you have time, it will definitely be worth the drive.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Gman83]

Welcome!

 

[Hemmbone20]

I’m in Tampa.
What part of town are you staying in?

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Just John]

Have a look at CoralCorral for a really big coral selection and a good selection of fish. Also, there is Marine Warehouse Aquarium, which is very good for both. Definitely go to the Florida Aquarium while you are here. It's supposed to be back into the 80's within a week or so and the beaches are waiting! If you go to Clearwater Beach, you can sit next to the sand, but there may be a wait at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill. Clearwater Beach livecam

 

[FrostyFins]

I’m in Tampa.
What part of town are you staying in?

I'll be in st Petersburg but the person I'm staying with loves to drive, so an hour or two or more isn't that daunting, especially if we can hit multiple along the way!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! Enjoy the sunshine, I’ll be there in April.

 

[FrostyFins]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! There are some okay LFSs in Tampa, but nothing like Worldwide Coral, TSA, or Living Reef in Orlando. If you have time, it will definitely be worth the drive.

 

[FrostyFins]

Currently the best (and only) saltwater store I've been to is a rural Alaskan Petco, so anything with more than a couple of clowns and the saddest Duncan ever will probably blow my mind.

 

[Peace River]

Currently the best (and only) saltwater store I've been to is a rural Alaskan Petco, so anything with more than a couple of clowns and the saddest Duncan ever will probably blow my mind.

Seriously though, do you want you mind blown or to go there 100x?!?!? WWC is like DisneyWorld and if you ask nicely and show them your Alaskan ID, they may even let you tour their farm.

 

[mmorrison55]

If you can get to Orlando, WWC, top shelf aquatics, and living reef Orlando.

Tampa… Coral Corral for size of the store and lots of corals, marine warehouse aquarium has a good mix of freshwater and saltwater. If you were local and buying fish, I’d recommend Fish and other Ichthy stuff. His store is small but his fish are always healthy and his displayntanks are super clean. All 3 of these Tampa stores are within 2-3 miles of one another, so you could easily go to all 3.

In Clearwater, cardinal aquariums. Another small store, but good selection and good prices. It’s not too far from the 3 Tampa stores.

Pinellas park, near st Pete, Fins and skins is nice.

 

[FrostyFins]

If you can get to Orlando, WWC, top shelf aquatics, and living reef Orlando.

Tampa… Coral Corral for size of the store and lots of corals, marine warehouse aquarium has a good mix of freshwater and saltwater. If you were local and buying fish, I’d recommend Fish and other Ichthy stuff. His store is small but his fish are always healthy and his displayntanks are super clean. All 3 of these Tampa stores are within 2-3 miles of one another, so you could easily go to all 3.

In Clearwater, cardinal aquariums. Another small store, but good selection and good prices. It’s not too far from the 3 Tampa stores.

Pinellas park, near st Pete, Fins and skins is nice.

I didn't realize Orlando was only 90 minutes away, I will definitely be checking out all the stores, plus the the Florida aquarium!

 

[kingranch2003]

 

[jsmkmavity]

 

[Hemmbone20]

Currently the best (and only) saltwater store I've been to is a rural Alaskan Petco, so anything with more than a couple of clowns and the saddest Duncan ever will probably blow my mind.

Oh wow you’ll have a blast in Florida then.
I’m excited for you haha

Like others have said, coral corral is cool. Nice big display tanks. Marine warehouse is very close to that and has a decent selection. That could be one easy trip. I live over in Brandon/Valrico and my LFS is “The aquarium and fish store” (original name, I know). They have some nice stuff for good prices but not as flashy as the previously mentioned 2.

Then if you have time make the trip to Orlando and stop in to WWC and Top Shelf.
I think both WWC and Top Shelf have insane prices, but if your goal is just to enjoy some beautiful display tanks that will 1000% check the box.
The drive from St Pete to WWC is about 1.5 hours. Probably closer to 2h with traffic depending on when you go.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!!!!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]