Fish City Koi & Tropical Fish

Fish City Koi & Tropical Fish in Pomona, California is the kind of place that tests your instincts. From the street, it's easy to drive right past. Step inside and the front area is dim, cramped, and unpolished.

But push through to the back and you'll find large tanks stocked with butterfly koi in striking patterns and vivid colors — the kind of selection that keeps pond keepers coming back despite the rough edges. Koi are the main draw here, and the prices are hard to argue with. Customers report deals like five koi for $100 or six for $18, depending on size and variety.

One of the more unusual perks: the owner hands you a net and a bucket and lets you pick your own fish from the tanks, which regulars describe as genuinely fun. Beyond koi, Fish City carries goldfish, cichlids, tropical freshwater species, some saltwater fish, Java fern, and basic pond and aquarium supplies like fish food and plastic décor. The owner has earned loyal followers for his patience and willingness to help — one first-time koi keeper described multiple return visits for troubleshooting advice on setting up a proper habitat, with no pressure to overbuy equipment.

The store also does steady business selling feeder fish for turtle owners. However, Fish City's reputation is genuinely polarized. Multiple reviewers report purchasing koi that introduced disease into established ponds, killing healthy fish they'd kept for months.

Complaints about tank cleanliness, dead fish left in displays, algae-covered glass, and strong ammonia odor are frequent and specific. Some visitors describe cobwebs, blocked aisles, and barely functioning lights. The contrast between the beautiful koi in the back tanks and the neglected conditions elsewhere is jarring.

If you're shopping here — especially for koi or goldfish — quarantining new arrivals is strongly recommended. The prices and selection are legitimate draws for Pomona-area pond enthusiasts, but go in with your eyes open and a quarantine tank ready at home.