About
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.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Fish City Koi & Tropical Fish in Pomona, CA
Fish City Koi & Tropical Fish stocks koi, goldfish, cichlids, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Pomona, CA. As an aquarium store serving Pomona, CA, it also offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Large selection of butterfly koi at very affordable prices
- Customers can net and pick their own koi from the tanks
- Owner provides patient setup and troubleshooting advice for pond keepers
- Carries freshwater tropicals, cichlids, goldfish, and some saltwater fish
- Popular source for feeder fish for turtle owners
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Store owner and his helper are super nice people. every time my family has entered the store they both help me, freshwater fish and the koi are really nice and in good condition, and the pricing is great too.”
— Peter5.0a month ago“Its like they dont care of the fish store”
— Dave Cha1.04 months ago“Loved going there, super friendly and helpful.”
— Gina5.03 weeks ago“Easy to drive by and miss . Looks are deceiving, looks small but quite expansive once you get inside . Lots of koi & other fish to choose from . Very affordable too.”
— Eric Walters5.0a month ago“Affordable fish and food”
— Jonn Mikko5.02 months ago“Good 👍”
— Jessica Brito5.02 months ago“I would not buy fish for this store. When I was there most of the tanks did not have the lights on. Didn't look like aquariums were maintained very well. Places not very clean.”
— Towhee1.02 months ago“Good prices on the koi fish”
— Abraham Reynoso5.03 months ago“Made a mistake and for the second time got koi fish from this store. Not only the fishes died but one of my older favorite ones died and some are acting like they are sick. Will never go back. I should have known better after the first disaster with this store. Should have taken photos of the dead fish to post. I will add photos if any other fish dies. I have 40 koi fish and they were all healthy and thriving, no loss in the past 8 months until this.”
— Moe1.03 months ago“Koi from this place are infected killed Bought 3 koi and infected and killed all my old koi within 2 months and the 3 lived”
— Jonathan Orozco1.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (909) 868-9898 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Fish City Koi & Tropical Fish.