New store specializing in saltwater fish, supplies opens in Montecito

MONTECITO, Calif. — A new saltwater aquarium store has opened up in Montecito.

Aquatic Jewels specializes in selling live corals and reef safe fish. The shop also sells a variety of saltwater tanks that people can put in their homes.

Unlike freshwater fish, these creatures live longer and come with more color.

The business has only been open for a month, and it's the only saltwater store in the area.

"We like to carry unique pieces, so we always look for the bigger, rare pieces of coral and fish," said Mark Amescua, Aquatic Jewels co-owner.

"If they come in, we can actually show them what a cleaner shrimp is and they get to really see it," explained Aquatic Jewels' other co-owner Dottie Allen.

Amescua and Allen are also encouraging people to bring their children in to check out their exciting variety.

Aquatic Jewels is located in the Montecito Village Shopping Center next to the Post Office. It offers professional installations, maintenance, and custom-built aquariums.

For more information, visit www.aquaticjewelssb.com.