About
Carson Tropical Fish has anchored the Hawaiian Gardens, CA aquarium scene for more than 25 years, and longtime hobbyists treat it as a genuine one-stop shop for both sides of the hobby. This is an aquarium store that runs freshwater and saltwater side by side: tanks of community fish and African cichlids share the floor with marine livestock, a well-regarded reef coral section, and the live plants that keep planted-tank keepers coming back. Recent visitors describe the space as clean and well-organized, with a selection deep enough that people drive in from as far as downtown Long Beach.
The reef wall is a perennial draw — reviewers rave about the coral picks, and one hobbyist even carried home a clam for their reef tank. On the freshwater side you'll find African cichlids, rasboras, danios, and other community fish for sale in Hawaiian Gardens, CA, and regulars keep asking for even more cichlids and oddball catfish, a sign of how seriously this crowd takes the freshwater room. If you're hunting saltwater fish or reef corals near me, the marine section and famously competitive frozen food prices are why locals keep making the drive.
What sets the shop apart is honest advice. Staff — one reviewer singles out Bryce — are known for testing your water for free and telling you to wait a week for a new tank to finish cycling rather than selling you fish that won't survive. Pricing on used equipment and tanks is a recurring highlight; one father-and-son pair famously walked out with a 90-gallon for $400.
A loyalty program rewards a point per dollar spent, with 100 points earning $5 in store credit. It isn't the fanciest room in Southern California, and a few visitors wish for tidier tanks, but the draw is real: fair prices, deep freshwater and saltwater selection, knowledgeable staff, and Blue, the resident talking macaw who greets — and occasionally heckles — everyone who walks in.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Carson Tropical Fish in Hawaiian Gardens, CA
Carson Tropical Fish stocks corals, reef fish, African cichlids, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Hawaiian Gardens, CA. As an aquarium store serving Hawaiian Gardens, CA, it also carries aquarium equipment, dry goods and fish food and offers water testing.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Freshwater and saltwater under one roof, with a standout reef coral section and clam-friendly marine livestock
- Free water testing with honest cycling advice — staff like Bryce tell you to wait rather than sell fish that won't survive
- Strong value on used equipment and tanks — one father-and-son pair scored a 90-gallon for $400
- Loyalty rewards: 1 point per dollar spent, 100 points = $5 store credit
- Blue, the resident talking macaw, is the store's beloved mascot
From keepers
Customer reviews
“This place is great with a wide selection. However, the pricing is questionable. I’ve found similar items at much lower prices. On the other hand, they have some great finds on certain items, and the pricing on plants is actually quite reasonable. The store is very clean and well-organized.”
— Charles Deetz5.03 weeks ago“Wow seriously these fish are all sick or dying holes on their body ich fin rot horrible conditions roaches and ants place is dark dirty amd messy i would not put a fish from their in my aquarium employees not to bright or helpful like they dont care about business remeber you get what you pay for!!!! You dont have to take my word you can take a look for yourself i feel so bad for the fish.....yes I absolutely will have to go there much better quality of fish and much cleaner place too wont have to see employees eating at the register”
— MARIO VALDIVIA1.0Edited a month ago“Great service, very knowledgeable. Just ask questions. Will be back for sure.”
— Manny5.0a month ago“Very good fish and great staff and good service!”
— Ellie Sk C5.02 months ago“Great fish store selection on freshwater would be better lifetime customer but yes more cichlid and oddball catfish for freshwater I'll be hooked for life”
— Jason Stanley5.03 months ago“I love this place. People that work here are very nice. Watch out for Blue.”
— Michael Williams5.03 months ago“Yeah I don't know about some of those animal conditions in the back, some of it looks very inhumane.”
— Brian Kluver1.03 months ago“Great prices on fish. They don't have feeder fish though”
— Jennifer Hernandez4.04 months ago“Under new management and they have way more fish and coral options at reasonable prices. BEST fish store in town!”
— Tyler Johnston5.0a month ago“This place has got it all. I went in for some fish for my new tank. The owner was there and he was asking me about my new setup, and if I had brought some water to test since it was newly setup. I actually had since I was having some algae issues. After testing my water he recommended I wait to add fish until another week so my tank would fully cycle. These guys are awesome, instead of selling me some fish to make money, that would die, they did the right thing. Shop looks great, and tons of pretty much everything to choose from. Frozen food was also really good price, better than I've seen anywhere else. Definitely recommend and will be back.”
— Tracy Macy5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (562) 924-7685 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Carson Tropical Fish.