C328 Clementi Aquarium Shop Guide: What to Buy and When to Visit
Tucked into a humble shophouse along Clementi Avenue 2, C328 has built a reputation over decades as one of the most stocked planted and community fish shops on the west side. This C328 Clementi aquarium shop guide from Gensou Aquascaping in Singapore sets out what the shop does well, when the livestock looks freshest, and how to avoid leaving with an impulse bag of fish you did not plan for. Expect a cramped, utilitarian layout rather than a boutique showroom. That is part of the charm, and part of the reason prices stay sensible.
Quick Facts
- Location: Block 328 Clementi Avenue 2, a short walk from Clementi MRT
- Specialty: community tropicals, tetras, shrimp, planted tank plants and hardscape
- Price range: budget to mid-tier, often cheaper than Thomson or town shops
- Best visit window: Wednesday to Friday afternoons, after fresh shipments settle
- Cash-friendly; some staff speak limited English, bring species names written down
- Parking is tight; easier to arrive by MRT or grab
- Bag service is standard, but bring an insulated box for long rides home
Where It Sits in the Singapore Scene
C328 is one of the few neighbourhood shops that still carries a broad mix under one roof. You will find community fish on one side, planted tank supplies in the middle, and a decent hardscape selection toward the back. Compared with the Pasir Ris fish farms, the range of individual tetras and rasboras is smaller, but the turnover is usually quicker because walk-in traffic is high.
What to Buy Here
The sweet spot is small community fish and shrimp. Neon tetras, ember tetras, chili rasboras, harlequins, pygmy corydoras, and otocinclus are regularly stocked. Cherry shrimp grades, amano shrimp, and occasional Taiwan bees show up. Pricing on common species is usually a dollar or two lower than equivalent shops closer to town.
Plants are the other real reason to make the trip. Tissue-culture pots of Monte Carlo, Staurogyne repens, and various Bucephalandra forms appear on rotation, alongside loose bunches of stems like Rotala rotundifolia and Ludwigia. Check leaves for algae and melt before picking up; the display tanks run hot and some pots move slowly.
What to Skip or Inspect Carefully
Marine livestock is not C328’s strength. If you are chasing SPS, LPS, or reliably quarantined saltwater fish, head to a dedicated marine shop instead. Larger cichlids and show-grade arowana are also handled better by specialist stores. Watch out for shared water systems when picking community fish; if one tank in a rack looks off, assume the whole rack may carry the same pathogen load and quarantine religiously at home.
Timing Your Visit
Singapore shipments typically land early in the week, and it takes a day or two for fish to stop flashing from transport stress. Mid-week afternoons are the calmest time to browse and ask questions. Weekends are busy with families, and staff have less patience for long species consultations. Avoid visiting right after a public holiday weekend, when tanks have been under-maintained and fresh stock has not yet arrived.
Pricing Expectations
As a rough 2026 baseline, expect neon tetras around $1 each, chili rasboras $1.50 to $2, amano shrimp $2 to $3, and cherry shrimp from $1.50 for low grades up to $8 plus for painted fire reds. Tissue-culture plants sit between $12 and $18. Hardscape wood is sold by piece, with seiryu-style stones priced by weight. Always ask before you assume a price; small signs can be outdated.
What to Bring With You
Bring a list of species and quantities you actually plan to buy, not just a rough wishlist. Clementi parking turnover is quick and it is easy to rush decisions. A small insulated cooler bag helps keep bagged fish within a safe 24 to 28°C on the ride home, especially if you are heading east through traffic. Cash is still king for small purchases, though most counters now accept PayNow.
Acclimating Purchases From C328
Drip acclimate shrimp and sensitive tetras over 45 to 60 minutes rather than cup-floating. C328 water will typically sit softer and slightly cooler than your home tank, so rushing the transfer stresses fish unnecessarily. Quarantine anything new in a separate 20 to 40 litre container for at least two weeks before introducing to a display, and dose prazipro prophylactically if you are adding to a planted community.
Related Reading
Build your shortlist of Singapore shops and back it up with strong home husbandry using these guides.
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Still Have Questions About Your Tank?
Drop by Gensou Aquascaping — most walk-in questions get answered in under 10 minutes by someone who has set up hundreds of tanks.
5 Everton Park #01-34B, Singapore 080005 · Open daily 11am – 8pm
