Fins and Skins — Local services in Pinellas Park

I’ve been an aquarium enthusiast for decades, going through periods of time where I keep multiple tanks. Finding a reliable, knowledgeable, and fish-friendly pet store is like finding a hidden gem, and let me tell you that Fins and Skins is 100% that gem for me! Every time I walk in the door here just reinforces why I trust them with all my aquatic needs.

Quality of Service: The service at Fins and Skins is exceptional. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted warmly and made to feel welcome. The staff is attentive without being overbearing, giving you the space to browse but readily available to assist whenever needed.

Staff Friendliness and Knowledge: The staff here is a standout feature. They are incredibly friendly, always greeting customers with a smile and a genuine willingness to help. What sets them apart, though, is their depth of knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner setting up your first tank or an experienced aquarist looking for advanced care tips, they have the answers. I’ve had countless questions about tank setup, fish compatibility, and water chemistry, and they have consistently provide detailed, insightful advice that has made a world of difference for me and my fish.

Personalized Solutions: One of the reasons I keep coming back is because of how they help me find perfect solutions for my tanks. They take the time to understand my specific needs and make tailored recommendations. Whether it’s selecting the right filter, finding the ideal tank mates, or troubleshooting water quality issues, their advice has always led to successful outcomes.

Care for Their Stock: Fins and Skins commitment to the care of their fish is evident in every tank. The fish are always healthy, active, and well-fed. The tanks are clean and well-maintained, showing that they prioritize the well-being of their stock over quick sales. This level of care is especially noticeable in their betta section.

Betta Care: Betta fish in many stores are often kept in less-than-ideal conditions, but not at Fins and Skins. Their bettas are housed in spacious, clean tanks with proper filtration and heating. This attention to their needs is a clear indicator of the store’s dedication to providing excellent care.

Pricing: Finally, the prices at Fins and Skins are very reasonable. In a market where pet store prices can sometimes be inflated, this store offers fair pricing on both fish and supplies. I always feel like I’m getting good value for my money, which is an added bonus to the exceptional service and care they provide.

In conclusion, Fins and Skins is a model of excellence in the aquarium hobby community. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff, personalized service, exceptional fish care, and fair pricing make them my go-to store. I highly recommend them to anyone, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience...

The fish and coral selection is nice, Henry the fish manager is great, very informative,and very helpful.

I have been going there for years for the fish, coral, and inverts. I understand supporting local businesses even when online is almost always cheaper. The face to face interactions and for other's sake, support your local stores.

Now, I just recently i have gotten back into reptiles and breeding. Now the reptile manager isnt near as useful.

In the span of 2 months I personally bought all the heat tape connectors, as well as the heat tape. I tried to get them to re order and support my local business multiple occasions with no avail. I've told employees, who in turn told Joe, I personally talked to Joe...Nothing...

Its bad business to turn people away and you cant sell items that you are too lazy to reorder.

I know where they get the supplies from and its cheaper for me to order online but in good faith i waited....and waited...and waited... spoke to Joe many times he just gave me the run around about placing the order but then days later says he hasn't placed it yet??? Very unprofessional, very impolite, and very unhelpful.

The way he degrades his employees is also unappealing. My girl went in there with her friend and those two witnessed him verbal harass a long time employee for giving advice that joe thought was incorrect. And in the end the employee was correct after all.

So I give this review only 3 stars but the fish portions get 5 stars and...

Short version: loved the fish section, but had concerns about the reptiles.

The shop is well staffed and everyone is friendly. They have great (and ever-changing) deals on used tanks and equipment.

The aquatic section is great - stock looked healthy, and the tanks were some of the cleanest I've ever seen in a local fish store. The baby coral selection looked healthy and well cared for. I overheard between staff and a family, and it came through that the staff member was knowledgeable and cared about helping them select an appropriate species. There's a good selection of quality dry goods as well.

The reptile section is largely animals, and they have an interesting variety. Some are housed in very nice setups, but there were sub adult bearded dragons in 20 gallon and smaller enclosures (which is way too reactive of movement, even in a temporary basis). Not all animals requiring UVB had it, which can result in irreversible bone damage.

I also overheard a staff member telling a family that an under tank heater was necessary (they're dangerous and can burn animals, break tanks and cause fires), and must of the "package deal" setups noted that an under tank heater was needed or recommended. This was concerning since many people buying their first reptile get the bulk of their information from the shop or person they...