The Fish Barn

AJ is super helpful and will steer you in the right direction when it comes to what animals to put in your tank based on size, technology etc. ensuring the animals are healthy and happy. Three different people I spoke with before visiting recommended Fish Barn and I have to agree. Great local store and AJ made sure I had what I needed for my first tank. Can't wait to pick up some shrimp and other fish once my tank is ready for them. I will be back!

Just stopped by for the first time. What a gem! The fish are all super healthy. Tanks are well maintained. Great variety. Locally bred fish options for the ethically-inclined hobbyists. Great plant selection. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Shout out to AJ, he knows his stuff! My wife and I felt welcomed the moment we walked in. We will be back very, very soon. Highly recommend!

Very friendly and knowledgeable owner, good supply selection, and generally quite helpful. Highly recommended!

Amazing staff, extremely knowledgeable and won't oversell you, even if you're thinking about buying more than you need. Their prices are competitive as well, especially for a local store. Thanks for all of your help so far!

AJ at the Fish Barn is unbelievably knowledgeable and helpful. He went out of his way spending time teaching us about how to help our fresh water fish tank thrive. We walked out of the store with a variety of live plants to enrich our tank and some great recommendations for lowering the nitrate levels for our fish. I am so happy that he opened this aquarium here in Orinda, as we live right nearby in Lafayette. Best aquarium store in Contra Costa County, if not the entire Bay Area!

AJ and Jay at the Fish Barn knows what’s up.
From the moment you walk in that will be evident, years of fish keeping experience and a willingness to teach, explain, and help make this store a cornerstone of the hobby in the East Bay.
I’ve been multiple times now and their fish stock is immaculate, the plants beautiful too.
AJ is a great reference for questions, and his honesty has reassured me that his suggestions are always with my best intentions, never an upsell.
Thanks again for being an awesome resource in the East Bay!

This place is by far my favorite fish spot in the bay! The staff is incredibly helpful and the owner is super nice. He takes a vested interest in all of his customers' success. Recently he helped me save a fish from Columnaris, which is actually an incredibly difficult thing to do. He helped me set up a hospital tank for her, find appropriate meds and adjust when she wasn't getting better. If you need anything aquarium related make sure you check out The Fish Barn. All of their fish and products are super high quality. I've slowly stocked up my tank here and they have a fantastic quarantine process that makes sure you get healthy fish. Also, aesthetically the store is very pleasing! So bright, organized and clean with happy fish and plants. I'll be coming here for years to come!

Great little store with friendly and knowledgeable staff. These folks helped me get a new aquarium up and running with advice on plants and maintenance. Super helpful!

Aj at the fish barn was super kind, knowledgeable, and clearly really passionate. Solid selection of plants and freshwater fish. Their prices are also super competitive. Fish looked happy and healthy as well! Thank you again Aj

Great quality and very reasonably priced. Ordered a few fish, which Aj got same week. A much needed addition to the Bay Area aquarium scene. Worth a drive!

The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable about the hobby the prices are a little high but he is paying rent in Orinda so I understand why very clean tanks a great selection of nano fish

Can’t believe there’s a knowledgeable, cozy, well stocked local fish shop in Orinda. I spent an hour today with AJ who had such great advice and clearly loves shop and has made it a lovely place to enjoy. Will be back often!!

I enjoy coming to Fishbarn a lot and they have a large selection of fish, plants, aquarium tools, etc. AJ (owner) is very helpful and will assist you with your questions and needs.

Great find in Orinda, definitely worth the drive. Many many fish and plants to choose from and the staff is super friendly and helpful. Will be returning as new stock comes in, just to see what’s new!

The Fish Barn has been a welcoming addition to Bay Area freshwater hobbyists. The owner AJ is genuinely helpful and generous with his knowledge of fish keeping. He recently helped me understand the ideal fish to keep based on my water chemistry and tank size, and also helped me get started with adding aquatic plants which my fish love. After speaking with AJ, it became very evident he has a real passion for fish keeping and wants to share that passion with others. Definitely will be coming back.

Super friendly and helpful with getting you going with all your aquatic plant and fish needs!

Glad I found this local fish store, will most definitely come back. Very good options they have as well as reasonable pricing for all. The owner was very nice and very helpful, hope to see new/good changes to the store. Keep up the good work.

Great store!
Healthy, well-kept fish. Very nice selection of aquatic plants in great shape.
Very helpful and friendly owner.
I can't wait to come back!

Great aquarium in Orinda. The owner is so helpful, there’s easy parking, the shop is clean and they quarantine their ample selection of fish before selling. Checks all the boxes, my new Aquarium/Fish store!

I went there to buy 4 albino corydoras and 4 gold white clouds.

He has good practices in preventing the spread of disease for fish, feeds them high quality food, and was pleasant to talk to. He also has a great selection of food and aquarium items.

If you want fish that are healthy, I recommend The Fish Barn, as the fish they receive go through a week long quarantine process.