Our Story
Who We Are
Woody's Seahorse Aquarium & Supply has been Portland's trusted saltwater aquarium store since 1996. Built on a foundation of responsible reefkeeping, exceptional animal care, and honest guidance, our family‑run business continues to grow thoughtfully as the next generation carries the mission forward.
What started as Woody's passion for saltwater aquariums has grown into a modern, community‑focused marine specialty shop. Today, the next generation leads the store with updated systems, advanced reef‑keeping knowledge, and a continued dedication to ethical practices. Our long history in the hobby allows us to blend decades of experience with the latest innovations in aquarium care.
Our Values
What We Stand For
Creature‑First Care
Every fish, coral, and invertebrate in our store receives attentive, evidence‑based care. We prioritize stable systems, proper nutrition, and stress‑free acclimation so our animals arrive healthy and stay healthy.
Sustainable Reefkeeping
We support responsible collection, aquaculture, and long‑term reef stewardship. Our livestock selection emphasizes captive‑bred fish, aquacultured corals, and suppliers who share our commitment to ethical practices.
Education & Support
Whether you’re setting up your first nano tank or fine‑tuning a mature reef, we’re here to help you succeed. We offer clear, practical guidance rooted in real experience — not sales pressure.
A Community Hub
Seahorse Aquarium & Supply has always been more than a store. It’s a place where hobbyists connect, learn, troubleshoot, and celebrate the beauty of marine life together.
Our Promise
Expert Advice & Proven Products
At Woody's, we believe in teaching the hobby — not just selling it.
We test the products we carry and recommend only equipment that truly works. Whether you're setting up your first saltwater tank or maintaining a mature reef system, our team provides clear, practical guidance based on real‑world experience.
What We Offer
Our Products & Services
- Free salinity tests and refractometer calibrations
- Purified Deionized Fresh Water
- Premium Premixed Saltwater
- 5-Gallon and 3-gallon jugs
- Saltwater fish
- Live copepods
- Captive-bred Seahorses
- Inverts (shrimps, snails, crabs etc.)
- Live Rock
- Buy, Sell & Trade Coral
- High quality reef gear
- Aquarium related plumbing supplies (bulk heads, plastic clamps, hose etc.)
- Live Sand and starter bacteria
- LED reef tank lighting
- Tank maintenance and installation services
- Fish and coral food
- Dosing supplies, supplements and medications
- Bulk Activated Carbon, GFO and DI Resin
- Pumps, skimmers & heaters
- Filtration socks, pads & filter fleece rolls
- Fritz RPM & Redsea Salt
- Acrylic hole drilling
- Glass hole drilling
- Consultations
- Onsite water testing, home & ICP test kits
- Par Meter Rental
- Mojano Wand Rental
Recognition
Over Our Many Years We Have Been
- Interviewed by National Geographic and Pet Age Magazine
- Supplier of Crystal Sea Salt for the Newport Aquarium when ocean water is unavailable
- Supplier of Crystal Sea to the University of Portland
- Supplier of Crystal Sea to OHSU
- Aquarium equipment insurance claims adjuster
“We are a large scientific research lab here in Portland using freshwater zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism to study synaptic electrophysiology and neurogenetics. Our recirculating system houses several thousand zebrafish in over 200 tanks. We also raise zebrafish from larval stages (about the size of a fruit fly) up to adulthood. Even though these are a freshwater species, they require some dissolved salts in their water for optimal health and osmoregulation and to discourage parasites. With our large system and ~10% daily water change, we go through salt fairly quickly. We additionally use marine salts in the culturing of brine shrimp and marine rotifers, two of our main fish foods. After investigating available commercial marine salts, we settled on Crystal Sea as the best choice for our system. Rather than pay shipping on multiple 50lbs. boxes of salt every few months, we sought a local supplier who could deal in large quantities. Seahorse Aquarium Supply was recommended by a co-worker. Woody has been great, always accommodating our needs, and his price on Crystal Sea saves us hundreds on shipping costs every year.”
— OHSU Brehm Lab
Have questions or want to learn more? We'd love to hear from you.