Fins and Critters

My go-​to place over the last few years for saltwater fish and corals. Go to Charles and Edgar for your more technical questions — they definitely know their stuff. The last two new guys not so much. I also like how they can special order any fish for you and they’ll go and pick it up.

Excellent selection of saltwater fish! They sell through fast but that’s good because new inventory provides variety. Worked directly with Sean. He was very passionate and professional in assisting with the sensitivities of my setup. I recommend buying fish, coral, and inverts from this place.

I’m sory to read the other comments about this store. But I have to say I have not had their experience. I have taken my two dogs there (many many times) and have had no problems. My dogs are not the best in getting beautified but the groomer does a wonderful job! I find the staff to always be helpful and when waiting for my dogs I always notice how helpful they are with other costumers. Way way better than the big box stores. I buy my dog food there along with the crickets and roaches for the beardy.

I have to say that I’m really sad to see such bad reviews about the grooming. I had heard bad things about the old groomer that used to work there but the NEW groomer Amanda is AWESOME!!! My dog has some anxiety issues and doesn’t love to be groomed but Amanda does a fantastic job with her. She always comes home looking adorable. She’s reasonably priced and always tries fit her in on short notice for me… Something I greatly appreciate with my schedule! Great job Amanda and Fins and Critters!

This place is HORRIBLE and the owner is RUDE. I took my dog here to get groomed and they killed her. The groomer left my chihuahua in the heather blow dryer and went outside to have a smoke! She overheated-​which is a problem with chihuahuas– and passed away in their care. Not only were they unsympathetic, but also rude. They didn’t offer any condolences. They wanted to try and call me they day it happened and there was no way I was going to answer. I had my sweet Bella cremated. They told me this didn’t happen very often so you would think they would atleast send a card! Very upsetting wish they would have offered to pay for her cremation because they killed her. Don’t take your business here.
*UPDATE*
The owner has now contacted me via Facebook and threatened to sue me. She is a complete moron. There is no way they can prove my dog died from a heart attack. I paid for the veterinarian to see her after she had passed and she told me that the only way you can see what it was if you did an autopsy. The person that was working in formed my father after he called that the groomer who was a man had stepped out and left my dog unattended. Her staff gave us this information! And those who marked my post funny, which is probably the owner and anyone she can get to do it… My dog Bella and I were very close I had her for only a few years but those were some of the roughest years of my life. I had my son he went through surgery I finish high school with her she was my princess. So if you ever lost a dog you know this isn’t funny it’s cruel. And the owner trying to tell me I’m wrong is stupidity. I’m never going to get over this it’s been so tramatic to me. I wish I would have never set foot in that store on that day.

Don’t waste your time getting your dogs groomed here. First they scheduled my appointment for the wrong date then when they had me pay, I thought it was a little pricey but my dogs looked cute so I didn’t complain… but THEN we get home and I notice one of my dogs were bleeding on his shoulder so I observed him to find him also bleeding on his chest! And no wait, not all. I found 2 other nips! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Completely a waste of money and time. Don’t even bother!!!

I came here to buy freshwater fish and I was very impressed by how clean all the tanks were and how healthy the fish looked both in the saltwater and freshwater tanks. Customer service is also really good, I was greeted and asked if I needed any help right away. I purchased multiple fish and live plants and all of them are still doing great in my tank.

Best pet store North of Santa Barbara to Arroyo Grande.
Thank god they are here.
(Petsmart is just quantity not quantity). These guys are quality.

We stopped by Fins and Critters for a few fish, while they have a large fish section they don’t have a huge fish selection. None of the exotic finds you hope to find in a mom and pop shop. The store is a pretty decent size but it’s incredibly cluttered. We were helped by a fella who was very nice but questioned our choice of fish. I don’t appreciate being steered toward a fish I didn’t ask for simply because it’s «prettier» Overall our experience in the store was ok but we bought 4 fish and between the ride from Orcutt to our home in Santa Maria 1 fish was belly up in the bag. We probably won’t be returning to Fins and Critters.

Great experience, very helpful clerk. I was shopping for soft corals and found their selection to be amazing and very well priced. Having read the other reviews I was expecting higher prices but compared to other corals I have purchased I found them quite reasonable. The young man that helped me seemed very knowledgabe and willing to spend plenty of time with me while I made my selections. I will definately be returning.

Dude, your Grey English Budgie has a really bad case of Scaly Face Mites and you haven’t been keeping his cage clean. If you do not get that treated right away the mites will spread to the other animals and the bird’s beak will become disfigured… Seriously disappointed by this.

The owner is AWFUL. He did not help with corals and fish. He will lie to you to get you to buy things that are not good for the tank! Great store but I will not buy from here because of the owner!

Nice little pet store with just about everything, fun, new toys I have not seen before (rubber ball with crunchy plastic inside), cool animals like that wild bird they had I had never seen before (like a small peacock without the big tail feathers).
Great prices, very attentive staff.
I would definitely go back.

Just a little update. Although a bit pricey, i just can’t stay away. Great healthy corals, can’t hate on that, and dan and lenny are always super cool. three stars even with the skyrocket prices and for the fact that i’m still a little burned about the 2 day old dead dory, they’re the best and only outfit within 20 miles.

The store itself is awesome:) The owner is a huge jerk. If you are new to starting a saltwater tank do NOT come here. We followed EVERYTHING perfectly and we kept getting more problems and more things we needed to buy. We were willing to spend a lot of money but I always felt screwed leaving the store. Awful because I loved my fish and coral when we had them.

Just got back into salt and did a reef, and everyone is friendly, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. They know their stuff. GIve great advise, and surper great selection. Big shout out to Lenny, your help has been invaluable and has greatly made us have a great start to our new reef tank. All the upgrades he suggested were perfect… everyone should go in and see this store… we love our awsome tank…

This pet store has a crazy selection of salt water fish and coral. The prices are on the high side, but selection makes it worth visiting.

Best spot for my saltwater tank, staff knows what there talking about, and they got everything you need for all your pets. They have a real tight reef settup, great fish, Reptiles, birds, and rats for my red tail. They do home Fish tank care as well. It’s deffinatly a good spot to support. (used to be the Pet emporium)

Went in to Fins and Critters this afternoon with a friend and our kids. The kids were 6, 4, 3, 2 yr old. Yes, all little I get it. We walk in and the kids were amazed by everything. All the owner could do was give us a dirty look, then tells us in annoyed tone that we couldn’t have food in here. Fine, not a problem. Took the gummi bears away. Well, the kids were looking @ the fish tank when the owner again says in that annoyed tone don’t touch the glass. Never once did he say hello, or acknowledge that we were ppl. Will never go back… try the pet store in the mall!