What Kordon does

Kordon LLC is a privately held specialty pet products manufacturer headquartered in Hayward, California, operating three sub-brands: Kordon (aquarium and pond products since 1961), Oasis (small animal, bird, and dog products since 1964), and TeraRep (reptile and amphibian products). The company's core technology centers on proprietary chemical and biological formulations for water quality management, including the AmQuel ammonia detoxifier, NovAqua chloramine conditioner, and Zym-Bac live nitrifying bacteria, alongside Oasis's stabilized Vitamin C drops (Vita-Drops) and specialty small animal medications. Under its distribution model, Kordon manufactures and sells through wholesale distributors in the U.S. and Canada, international agent/distributors globally, and major pet retail chains including Petco and Petsmart, with an additional dealer program for direct wholesale purchasing. The company traces its scientific origin to biological scientists at the California Academy of Sciences and Steinhart Aquarium and was reorganized as Kordon LLC in March 2008 under owner Edmund Mowka.

Name

Kordon

Legal name

Kordon LLC

Website

https://kordon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kordon LLC is a privately held Hayward, California-based manufacturer of specialty pet products sold under three sub-brands — Kordon (aquarium and pond), Oasis (small animal and bird), and TeraRep (reptile and amphibian) — distributed via wholesale channels and major pet retailers including Petco and Petsmart.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pet Care Products

NAICS

Other Animal Food Manufacturing (311119)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Health OTC Retail (Parasite Control, Basic Care) (HLAMAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vitamins, Minerals & Multivitamin Supplements (HLAMALAF), Pet Health & Wellness Distribution (Supplements, OTC, Preventives) (CRAOAKAC), Fish & Aquatic Feed (ornamental) (CRADAFAL)

Keywords

• Pet care products
• Aquarium water conditioners
• Pet supplements vitamins
• Small animal accessories
• Reptile habitat products

Headquarters

HQ city

Hayward

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Pet Product Sales: Manufactures and sells pet products (water conditioners, medications, vitamins, accessories) for aquariums, ponds, small animals, birds, and reptiles through wholesale distributors in U.S. and Canada and international agent/distributors

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kordon LLC manufactures and distributes pet care products across three sub-brands: Kordon (aquarium and pond water conditioners, medications, fish food, and accessories), Oasis (water bottles, vitamin supplements, herbal remedies, and medications for small animals and birds), and TeraRep (basking platforms, turtle ramps, and reptile accessories). Products are formulated with proprietary biological and chemical treatments (e.g., AmQuel ammonia detoxifier, NovAqua water conditioner, Zym-Bac live nitrifying bacteria, Vita-Drops stabilized Vitamin C) and sold through wholesale distributors, major pet retail chains, and international agent/distributors.

Product overview

Kordon LLC operates as a pet products company with three distinct sub-brands: Kordon (aquarium and pond products since 1961), Oasis (small animal, bird, and reptile products since 1964), and TeraRep (reptile and amphibian products). The portfolio spans water conditioners (AmQuel, NovAqua, Zym-Bac, Tidy Tank, Tidy Turtle), organic and chemical fish treatments (Ich Attack, Prevent Ich, Rid Fungus, Rid Ich Plus, Copper-AID), aquarium accessories (T5 LED lights, filter media, breathing bags), pond products, water bottles with vacuum-valve technology, vitamin supplements (Vita-Drops, VITA E-Z-MIST), small animal medications (Wet Tail Drops, Wet Tail Plus), reptile habitat products (Turtle Ramps, Wet Pet Deck), and herbal pet supplements (Oasis Naturals line). The products work together as a comprehensive pet care ecosystem addressing aquarium maintenance, small animal health, and reptile habitat needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kordon Aquarium and Pond Products Sub-brand of Kordon LLC offering premium quality aquarium and pond products including water conditioners, medications, fish food, water clarifiers, LED lighting, and aquarium accessories. Targeted at aquarists and pond keepers managing freshwater and saltwater aquariums and ornamental ponds.
• Oasis Pet Products Sub-brand of Kordon LLC offering premium quality products for small animals, birds, dogs, cats, horses, and reptiles, including water bottles with vacuum-valve technology, vitamin supplements, herbal products, and treatments.
• TeraRep Reptile and Amphibian Products Sub-brand of Kordon LLC offering premium quality products for reptiles and amphibians, including basking platforms, turtle ramps, reptile vitamins, and turtle accessories such as FIZZ Tablets.
• AmQuel Ammonia Detoxifier Water conditioner that detoxifies toxic ammonia in aquarium and pond water. The first aquarium ammonia detoxifier introduced to the market, with an enhanced Plus variant addressing chloramines. Targeted at aquarium and pond owners managing nitrogen cycle issues.
• NovAqua Water Conditioner Water conditioner that breaks chloramine bonds, removes chlorine, and adds beneficial electrolytes to water. Plus variant offers comprehensive water conditioning. Targeted at aquarium and pond keepers preparing tap water for use.
• Zym-Bac Live Nitrifying Bacteria Beneficial live bacteria product for fresh and saltwater aquariums that seeds biological filters and helps correct ammonia and nitrite imbalances, accelerating the nitrogen cycle.
• Tidy Tank Sludge Controllers Natural sludge controllers using Bacillus species bacteria to remove organic debris from aquarium gravel, filters, and tubing. Freshwater and marine (copper-tolerant) variants are available. Targeted at aquarium owners maintaining clean substrate and filtration.
• Ich Attack Organic Herbal Treatment Organic herbal disease treatment for ich and related protozoan infections in aquarium fish. Includes companion Prevent Ich preventative treatment and Rid Fungus organic fungus treatment. Targeted at aquarium hobbyists treating fish diseases.
• Rid Ich Plus Chemical Treatment Professional-grade chemical treatment for ich and other protozoan parasites in aquarium fish. Includes companion Copper-AID for external parasites, Rapid-CURE for disease treatment, Malachite Green and Methylene Blue for fungus and external parasites.
• T5 LED Aquarium Lights (ARCADIA) Premium T5 LED retrofit aquarium lights available in Marine Blue, Marine White, Freshwater Pro, and Tropical Pro variants. Targeted at aquarium owners seeking energy-efficient lighting upgrades.
• NaturPro Plus Premium Fish Food Premium fish food line including formulas for Betta, Cichlid, Community Fish, Discus, Goldfish, Marine, Large Fish, and Pleco Wafers. Targeted at aquarium hobbyists seeking species-specific nutrition.
• pH Stabilizers and Adjusters pH stabilizers (in 7.0, 7.5, and 8.2 formulas) plus pH Increase and pH Decrease adjusters for aquarium water management. Targeted at aquarium owners managing water chemistry.
• Pond Water Conditioners and Treatments Pond-specific product line including Pond AmQuel and Pond AmQuel Plus ammonia detoxifiers, Pond NovAqua and Pond NovAqua Plus water conditioners, Pond Ich Attack and Pond Prevent Ich organic treatments, Pond Rid Fungus organic treatment, Pond Rid-Ich Plus chemical treatment, and Pond Fish Protector water conditioner. Targeted at ornamental pond keepers.
• Oasis All-Weather Water Bottles Vacuum-valve water bottles for small animals and birds featuring metal ball-bearing drinking tubes and protective bottle guards. Includes Bell, Crystal Clear, Crystal Color, Dura-Pearl, E-Z-Top (for rabbits and ferrets), and 4 oz/8 oz Bird Water Bottle variants. Targeted at small animal and bird owners.
• Oasis Vita-Drops Vitamin Supplements Liquid vitamin supplements with Focus-Formula technology for small animals, birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and reptiles, available in species-specific formulations. Vita-Drops Pure C for Guinea Pigs is a concentrated stabilized Vitamin C supplement yielding 25mg per 8 drops to prevent scurvy. Targeted at pet owners seeking nutritional supplementation.
• Oasis VITA E-Z-MIST Multivitamin Spray Pump spray multivitamin supplements for direct application to food, available in formulations for birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and reptiles. VITA E-Z-MIST Pure C Spray for Guinea Pigs delivers 250 individual doses of stabilized Vitamin C. Targeted at pet owners preferring spray application.
• Oasis Wet Tail Treatments Treatments for wet tail disease (Proliferative Ileitis) in hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats. Wet Tail Drops contain Neomycin Sulfate in liquid form; Wet Tail Plus combines antibiotic (Chlortetracycline) fizz-tablets with probiotic tablets in a 6-day treatment. Targeted at owners of small animals suffering from wet tail disease.
• Oasis Alive and Well Probiotic Probiotic supplements supporting digestive health for small animals and a separate formulation for birds. Targeted at pet owners seeking digestive health support.
• Oasis Naturals Herbal Line Herbal supplement line including Natural Extract Herbal Calming Formula, Herbal Immune Booster, Herbal Liquid Worm Control, Herbal Skin Healing Cream, Herbal Skin Healing Spray, Multivitamin with Probiotics Daily Blend, and Pure Probiotics Daily Blend. Available for birds, cats, dogs, small animals, and horses. Targeted at owners seeking natural/herbal pet care options.
• TeraRep Turtle Ramps Basking ramps available in small, medium, and large sizes for aquatic turtles, salamanders, and frogs, featuring black traction tape and clear acrylic construction. Targeted at reptile and amphibian owners.
• TeraRep Wet Pet Deck (Turtle Deck) Basking platform made of clear acrylic with suction cups for aquatic turtles, salamanders, and frogs to exit water and bask. Targeted at owners of aquatic turtles and amphibians.
• TeraRep Tidy Turtle Water Conditioner Water conditioner containing over 2 billion CFU of Bacillus bacteria per milliliter for cleaning turtle bowls, tanks, and aquariums by removing sludge and reducing odors. Targeted at turtle and reptile owners.
• TeraRep Reptile Vitamins Vitamin supplements formulated specifically for reptiles. Targeted at reptile owners seeking nutritional supplementation.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hikari (Kamihata Fish Industries): Hikari is a globally recognized manufacturer of premium fish food and aquatic nutrition products, competing directly with Kordon's NaturPro Plus fish food line and other Kordon aquarium nutrition offerings.
• Zoo Med Laboratories: Zoo Med is a leading manufacturer of reptile, amphibian, and aquatic pet products including basking platforms, vitamins, and water treatments. It competes directly with Kordon's TeraRep brand and several Oasis small animal SKUs.
• Seachem: Seachem Laboratories manufactures specialty water conditioners, medications, and supplements for freshwater and marine aquaria. It competes directly with Kordon's water treatment and therapeutic product lines and serves the same specialty aquarium retail channel.
• Fluker Labs: Fluker Labs specializes in reptile and amphibian products including habitats, foods, and supplements. It overlaps with Kordon's TeraRep product line in reptile vitamins, turtle ramps, and habitat accessories.
• API (Mars Petcare): Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (API), owned by Mars, manufactures water conditioners, disease treatments, and test kits — direct competitors to AmQuel, NovAqua, Ich Attack, and Kordon's water testing line.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra (Spectrum Brands): Tetra, owned by Spectrum Brands Holdings, is a global leader in aquarium products including fish food, water conditioners, and treatments. It directly overlaps with Kordon's Kordon-brand aquarium/pond portfolio and historically shared a commercial relationship with Kordon's predecessor entities (Tetra Sales U.S.A.).
• Aqueon (Central Garden & Pet):
• Hagen Group (Exo Terra, Fluval): Hagen Group, a global pet products manufacturer, owns Exo Terra (reptile products), Fluval (aquarium products), and other brands that compete across Kordon's full Kordon, Oasis, and TeraRep portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KordonExpert
• Facebookfacebook.com/KORDONLLC
• Pinterestpinterest.com/kordonexpert
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/novalek-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kordon