Hi Jennifer, I sincerely hope you watch your own copy of the video from this incident along with your employee. Playing the retail worker victim card doesn't fly when the worker is the aggressor. As for being singled out. His attack on my family and not the white family is the definition of discrimination. Covid has been hard on everyone, don't make excuses for him. Thanks for the apology, even riddled with caveats. We went to Aquariums west to buy a a goldfish for my daughter's 10th birthday which is today. After waiting in line for our turn we were accosted by a worker telling us that there are signs saying only 2 people at a time. There was only one person in front of us. I pointed out that the sign also says children are exempt. The oldest of my 3 daughters is 12. He then told us he can't have one family take up the whole store and that we would have to split up our group. He was agitated and clearly didn't want us to be there. He told us it's a professional day and that people are bringing their kids all day. If I hadn't promise my kid a goldfish their website showed "in stock" I would have told him to stick it up his a$%. He tried everything short of telling us outright to leave before he would even let us in. This is the worst experience I've ever had in an aquarium store in 40 years of fishkeeping, even despite the aquarium snobs at other stores. He didn't have a problem with the other family groups in the store, just our Chinese family. I was looking forward to stocking up as they're a Rapashy dealer, but I'll gladly drive to Surrey to go to Roger's to buy it after that experience. My wife wouldn't even set foot into the store after that gongshow. I had to take my 3 kids in 2 and then 1 just to buy some goldfish. Business must be good if they can treat people this way. There wasn't even anyone in line behind us. He didn't even want the rest of my family to wait in the store! Yes I would love to hear from management or ownership as to why they employ this moron with anger management issues who accosted my family for no apparent reason. Maybe come look for me on the Facebook BC Aquarium hobbyists page or the "VAHS" page, or maybe the aquarium fish hobbyist page. I'll post this review there too. Thanks for the great service! To further my previous review, it appears that the person who crossed the store to yell at my family was in fact a part owner of the business Kreig Leblanc. Maybe you should reconsider accusing people of being tourists in your store before knowing why they are there. Funny how we knew you had pearlscales and black lionheads in stock, but you never bothered to ask, did you? When people agree to all the terms of your signage regarding occupancy and Covid regulations you shouldn't change the terms to your own advantage. We split our group, even when there was no one in line behind us. Yet you didn't even want my wife and 12 year old daughter wait in line inside the store. That was very kind of you seeing at it was +1° at the time. Your own staff was embarrassed by your behavior when they realized we not only were we legitimate customers, but had specific purchases in mind. Why didn't you harass the other family with children in the store? You know with the daughter that was knocking on the tanks as she went? Were we standing too quietly waiting our turn? Or were my kids too happy to see the Rainbow fish in the tank by the door. Either way I couldn't care less. Just like you didn't when you started your rant in front of my kids. From the looks of the other reviews on this place, service is apparently a big problem. Avoid this place at all costs.

JAW DROPPING BEAUTIFUL STORE ❤️ Trust me, go here instead of ANY other fish store in Van!!! When I walked in my mouth dropped until an employee said hello lol. I have problems with every fish store I’ve ever been to because of quality, disease/parasites, bad employees, etc, but NOT THIS PLACE I came in for some stuff for my betta because I did a fish in cycle (tank was barren), and left with 4 beautiful and cute red cherry shrimp (cheapest I’ve found in Van and great quality), a couple bundles of moss, and two long grass like plants. No sign of disease, high quality supplies/fish, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and the care of the tanks were immaculate! Lots of the tanks had GORGEOUS aquascapes (good for inspiration), and I was met at the door by a pond of goldfish (lovely touch, a little overstocked but they take such good care of the tanks/water it’s not a problem). I also saw a cute turtle, and lots of saltwater supplies/fish, all in great condition. I also saw a few enclosures for reptiles I assume, and they looked very natural and well put together (I know nothing about reptiles, but the enclosures looked very nice). I have to give these guys a full 5 stars because I’ve NEVER seen such a well kept fish store in my life (I used to breed fish and I’ve kept fish for almost my whole life). I could go on forever about how amazing this place is, everyone who has fish NEEDS to go here sometime!!!! I couldn’t find a single fish that looked sick, all plants were high quality, a few discounts around the store for bulk buying, all in all they ACED what a pet store should strive to be. Jaw dropping impressive and stunning, I wish I could give 10 stars I’ll never go to another place from now on for fish. Fantastic job to everyone who works there and whoever owns the place ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Aquariums West is an aquatic paradise right in the heart of Vancouver. I was immediately captivated by the sheer variety of plants available - from lush greens to vibrant reds, they had a wide selection that were visually stunning. The knowledge and guidance provided by the staff made it easy to select the perfect plants for my aquarium. One of the most delightful discoveries during my visit was the adorable cherry shrimp. These little creatures added an unexpected charm to the store. The staff’s expertise in caring for these small invertebrates was evident, and their health and vivacity were a testament to the store’s commitment to quality and care for all its inhabitants. The store itself is a treasure trove for any aquatic enthusiast. Beyond the vibrant flora and charming shrimp, Aquariums West boasts an impressive array of supplies and fish species. The attention to detail in maintaining the tanks and the quality of the aquatic life on offer truly sets this place apart. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or a newcomer to the hobby, Aquariums West is an absolute must-visit. The diversity, quality, and expert guidance make it a top destination for all things aquatic. I left not just with new additions for my tank but also with a wealth of knowledge. Kudos to Aquariums West for providing such a wonderful experience.

We told the person who helped us that it was our first time caring for fish. We do have two big aquariums, 40 and 30 gal tanks, but we were only keeping aquatic plants. He showed us a tank of pregnant guppies and said that was the only healthy tank and when we asked several time if the pregnant guppy needed special care said no! We brought the poor fish home a week ago and noticed the guppy getting very still last night. We just made sure she has food and left her alone to not stress her out. This morning we found her dead at the bottom of the tank with her belly still full of baby fish. My wife gently rubbed the belly and many fries got out. We don’t know if the babies are dead or not but the mom definitely is. When I looked online it became clear that pregnant guppies should not have been moved from her tank in the first place and that the stress of move makes birthing extra hard for them. You would think the person selling us the fish could have mention that! This experience has been so traumatic that I will never step foot in that place again and that’s just too sad because before this I used to really like that store.

Happened to wall by on our way to lunch and of course had to go in, even if fish store shopping when you can't buy fish is torture. Beautiful store, well organized, whoever is planting their tanks is AN ARTIST, they are absolutely stunning. Fish all seemed well loved, but the care and attention paid to their bettas made me so happy. Lots of space, fresh clean water, happy clear eyed brightly coloured fish. The same love and attention paid to their reptiles and amphibians. Your store was a pleasure to shop in and we are so happy we are going home from our vacation with some new decor for our own tanks.

My son wanted to start his very first terrarium for his very first pet and everyone I knew said this was the place to go. The store is super clean, well organized and stocked. Doug was extremely helpful. Even though he was the “fish guy” he was so knowledgeable and patient and took so much time going through everything with my son and I. Everyone in the store was very helpful and obliging to my sons questions and comments. I highly recommend this shop, not only for their amazing selection of products and beautiful setup but their service and knowledge is top notch. Ty Doug and AW!

I've finally made it to this place after a long desire to come here. The lack of parking and location make it hard to visit. The store is clean and tidy. However I am thrilled about how clean their tanks are. Also they seem to specialize in planted tanks. Fish are also quite unique. We were asked if we needed help twice so we were looked after well. The prices are decent and we noticed other stores upping the cost of basic fish like neon tetras. I won't complain about the cost here because everything costs more in this day in age.. Plus rental space downtown is not cheap.

Great customer service - I bought an aquarium kit as an impulse. When I got home searching for accessories etc I found out that another local store was selling what I just bought for 40% less than what I paid for it. I was disappointed in myself for not checking before hand but I let the owner Jeannie know and she accepted the discrepancy and refunded me the difference even though I said I would prefer supporting small businesses and happily take store credit - she insisted I take the refund. We don’t see these kind of store owners these days… thank you Jeannie

Coming here is an addiction at this point! They have everything you could possibly need and more. Number 1 indicator that an aquarium store is high quality and knows what they are doing to me, is how they keep their bettas Not a single miserable cup in sight! Each fish has its own little tank and they are all healthy and happy looking! Staff is helpful and friendly without being overbearing (think constantly asking about assistance and following you around) which is nice when just browsing the shelves and planning what to get! Highly recommend this store

While I did think that their fish collection was great, tons of fish and plants, their staff was meh, didn't have anyone to come and ask if we needed help or had any questions. Staff kinda kept to themselves and talked amongst each other instead of going around and asking people if they needed help. They also didn't know too much about their fish and what they had in stock. I had a lot of questions and didn't feel like I was getting the right answers as again they didn't seem to know either.

I’ve been to Aquarium West several times and I’ve only ever had nice experiences. The one time I purchased a large tank, they helped me carry it to my car and when I had questions about the plants and livestock their staff was very knowledgeable and would help me find exactly what I was looking for. The girl that works there is honestly the best! There was one time where she helped me brainstorm a plan for re-aquascaping my tank. Overall, I highly recommend it here :)

Great 1 stop shop for all of your aquarium needs. They have a large selection of tanks as well as everything else you would need to fill it. The staff are quite knowledgeable and friendly. The layout is easy to navigate as well. Prices seem fair, it’s a bit more than amazon however you get it right away and the selection is great. Definatley check this place out next time you are looking for aquarium supplies, fish or reptiles!

Good selection of parts, plants and fish. Far better than your average general pet store. Then there's the "customer service". At Aquariums West "can I help you?" is code for "we are watching you" and absolutely not to be mistaken for an actual offer of assistance. The staff seemed put out that I would want to buy anything or have any questions. I'd go back if I needed to, but would not expect a friendly, helpful experience.

Fun to have a look even if you’re not buying a pet (though you might be really tempted to after seeing all the marvellous creatures here) Such a huge collection of animals they have at Aquariums West. Mostly fish but you’ll also see plenty of other neat specimens like snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and even huge spiders and scorpions. Check out the biggest spider you’ll ever see in real life: the Bird-Eating Spider

I seem to have trouble with their guppies. I got guppies from them twice, about half a year apart, and they didn’t live more than 2 days. I have no problem with my other guppies during quarantine. Not sure why. I wouldn’t get guppies from them again. I also called in one because my fish is old and getting sick. They gave good advice on what I could do. The fish’s situation did improve a bit, but it eventually died.

Some of the staff members are very helpful and knowledgeable. Ended up waiting ~15 minutes to talk to a staff member and get the help I needed, there is not enough staff for how busy the store gets. 3 of the 6 shrimp I bought from here have died within 2 weeks. They had limited selection, and everything is overpriced compared to elsewhere. Overall a disappointing experience, not recommended.

Disappointed. I went in a novice trusting the salesperson and they oversold me on product. The solution they sold me came in two sizes (unknown to me). After my explanation they sold me the larger of the two sizes (double the cost) when the smaller would have been more than enough. I’ll be finding a new aquarium store where the staff doesn’t take advantage of inexperienced customers.

Amazing selection of high grade equipment, unique breeds, and the best aquascaping supplies I’ve ever seen. If aquariums are a hobby you enjoy or want to get into, I highly recommend a visit. It’s also a gorgeous store to just take a look in, the staff clearly put a lot of love and care into the stunning ecosystems they create.

Fantastic specialty place with everything anyone would need to start or maintain a fish tank or terrarium. Great stock both in hardscape, live plants and both freshwater and saltwater fish. The staff is very knowledgeable and will be able to help you with any problem you might have. I couldn't recommend them more if I tried.

This is my go-to pet shop, despite living out int he Tricities. Super amazing staff who are friendly, knowledgeable, empathetic. Prices are good and if you have any specialty reptiles, I trust the people at Aquariums West as having the final word. They've made entering the exotic pet hobby welcoming and easy for a newbie

First time ordering with you guys and ya have some of the nicest plants I’ve seen in a long time. Very accurate fullness like the photos. I ordered 4 different Anubias types. Many had multiple plants too. Great prices for what I received. Packaged well. Super pumped and definitely need more so I look forward to it!

I didn’t buy anything but my god did I have fun here for an hour or so. They carry such a large variety of fish. There’s also reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and a set of guinea pigs looking for a home!! When I have the time and space for fish I will be coming back here to get them and all the supplies …

My first time here was great! I’m new to the fishkeeping hobby and aquascaping - the staff were answering my questions without me feeling annoying and gave me some helpful tips. The store was stocked with so many cool natural decors, equipment, and beautiful livestock. Thanks guys!

Great collection of healthy fish. After buying my fish from here and taking care of it for more than a year now, i agree that it's not possible to teach a customer everything there is to know. The staff was actually very helpful when I came in at a slower day.

It's a unique petshop where things are way more organised and clean.. there is variety of different pets in containers like fishtanks and setups you can choose from as per your needs.. and interests.. very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff..

Purchased a Betta, and was pleased to see all theirs looked healthy, and ours has continued to look happy after being placed in his tank. The staff is great, they ask if you need help but don't hover, and when you do have a question they're

The staff was patient introducing all the stuff I need to start up my saltwater tank, but the stuff they selling are definitely overpriced. Especially the Fluval tank I bought which they priced around 370 with 25% off and with a final price

Aquariums West is my go-to store in Vancouver for fish, amphibians and reptiles (yes all three...). The animal and fish displays are fun and attractive, as are the aquatic plants. The animals are very healthy and the tanks super clean. They

After getting an aquarium as a gift, I went to aquarium west to get all my start up supplies (approx 200 dollars in total-their specialty soil, a bunch of plants, aquascape tools, prime, stability, aquatic plants, fertilizer). I live close

Best fish store in Vancouver I could live in it. Super helpful staff, shout out to Jen, lol. The store's located downstairs & a bit hard to find at first. But totally worth it. Excellent prices too. Wish I had more tanks. …

Went on a morning visit over to Aquariums West the other day! Had an alright time purchasing aquatic plants and a few fish, staff there are super friendly and knowledgeable! Thanks again friends :) Will for sure be back soon!

Their fish look great, but their reptile care could be improved. They have a giant day gecko for sale who is grossly obese. They should not sell an animal who is in that state and instead should get her healthy before.

Fantastic aquarium shop with a great selection! Knowledgeable and friendly staff, well-maintained tanks, and a wide range of products. I especially love their terrariums and paludarium displays. Highly recommended!

Honestly this is the best (and only?) good Aquarium store in the city. Always super knowledgeable & helpful staff regarding reptiles and fish. Aquarium equipment and supplies. A Great selection of water plants.

This place is awesome! Amazing staff! They’re extremely knowledgeable and will take the extra time to make sure any kind of set up you are building for your animal friends is safe, clean and well put together.

Not from here, but definitely enjoyed the visit. Saltwater selection is relatively small and I didn't see much coral- but a nice shop overall. Clean, helpful ppl, and lots of good brands in terms of equipment.

Great selection, but was setting up a shrimp only tank and explained that to the guy in the store and he sold me a fertiliser with copper in it and it killed all my shrimp which was a very expensive mistake

Thank you Aquarium west! Great customer service and super helpful to a newbie trying to raise neocaridina’s. They were super patient with all my questions and helped me along the way. Best experience ever!

Beautiful, beautiful aquariums and friendly employees. You may find interesting fish now and then, as they frequently import fish from Asia. Check their website to find out what they currently stock!

Pretty great place. First associate wasn’t too helpful but second one was great. Answered all our questions and made suggestions. Like most aquarium stores their shrimp are way too expensive.

Good service Friendly employees Cool animals Store is overall clean and organized would find everything you need for your fish tanks or reptiles 10/10 recommended checking is place out

We arrived just as they were closing up but because we knew exactly what we wanted they let us in and helped us come up with a solution when we couldn't find what we were looking for.

I've been in a bunch of different aquarium shops. This one stands head & shoulders above anything else around the lower mainland. Great selection and super helpful staff.

Nice selection of all things fish and reptiles. They have great display set ups of reptile terrariums and vivariums! All the staff were very friendly and helpful too!

Great selection of supplies needed for any sort of fish tank, very helpful staff and always a pleasant experience when i visit

Best pet store in the area for nonstandard pets. Clean, knowledge, and kind. Have all I need for reptile supplies.

Very friendly staff even if you don't buy anything and just go around looking like me :)))). Nice place.

Not much selection on fish in store. Was expecting more. Came all the way from maple ridge.

Very knowledgeable staff and wonderful selection of aquatic supplies and live stock

Lots of aquatic pets here, some reptiles and guinea pigs as well. Cool place