About Gulf Coast Aquatics

Marcus Chen, owner

Marcus has been keeping fish for over 25 years. Before opening Gulf Coast Aquatics on Bee Ridge Road in 2019, he managed aquarium departments at national pet retailers and got tired of selling fish that weren't ready to go home.

At home he runs a 180-gallon mixed reef and a planted Amazon biotope. If he stocks it in the store, he keeps it at home first.

That's why we quarantine every fish for two weeks, label reef-safe species honestly, and will talk you out of a purchase if it won't work in your tank — even if that means a smaller sale.