About
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a family-run San Diego fish store that locals treasure for its deep freshwater inventory and the kind of old-school, mom-and-pop service the big-box chains can't match. The husband-and-wife owners — an elderly couple who have run the shop for years — are the heart of the place. Regulars describe the wife as warm and endlessly patient, happy to walk a first-timer through water changes, heater settings, and which fish actually get along; the husband is a touch more no-nonsense, but the couple's hands-on knowledge keeps people coming back week after week.
Walk in and the pool-sized koi tub near the entrance steals the show, stocked with multicolored, black, and silver koi that San Diego pond keepers have grown out for years. Beyond the koi, the tanks run deep with freshwater favorites — angelfish, goldfish, and bettas — alongside the monster fish this shop is known for, including arowanas and oscars. Collectors hunt here for harder-to-find varieties like Thai Oranda and black ranchu goldfish for sale in San Diego, CA, plus blue-eyed bushynose plecos tucked into tanks that aren't always labeled, so it pays to slow down and peer into each one.
The shop is compact but densely stocked, with aquatic plants, large amano shrimp, and snails that customers grab for pond and tank cleanup, and a genuinely useful wall of supplies — sponge filters, fish food, and medications that nearby chain stores often skip. One recent visitor even met the store's friendly resident giant fish, which recognizes people and swims right up to greet them. For San Diego aquarists chasing quality koi, monster fish, and rare goldfish available in person — with real advice from owners who clearly love the hobby — Pet Zone is a freshwater fish store worth knowing.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Pet Zone Tropical Fish in San Diego, CA
Pet Zone Tropical Fish stocks koi, goldfish, angelfish, arowanas, plecos, rare and hard-to-find species, shrimp, invertebrates, aquarium plants and freshwater & pond fish for sale in San Diego, CA. As a fish store serving San Diego, CA, it also carries aquarium equipment, fish food and fish medications and offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- KoiGoldfishAngelfishArowanasPlecosLive PlantsAquarium EquipmentRare SpeciesShrimpInvertebratesBettasFish FoodMedications
- Services
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Pool-sized koi tub at the entrance stocked with multicolored, black, and silver koi favored by local pond keepers
- Monster fish like arowanas and oscars alongside rare Thai Oranda and black ranchu goldfish
- Elderly husband-and-wife owners known for patient, hands-on advice on water changes, heaters, and fish compatibility
- Aquatic plants plus large amano shrimp and snails that customers grab for pond and tank cleanup
- Well-stocked supply wall with sponge filters, fish food, and medications the nearby big-box stores often lack
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Nice owner couple husband and wife elderly working long time and have experience All fish and price and shipping secure Food medication supply in store very good service”
— Tuan Nguyen5.03 weeks ago“The GIANT fish that isn’t for sale and is presumably the store’s pet? PLEASE give him decor I beg you, he’s already in a tank too small for how big he is, please at least give him some enrichment. He was so sweet, he recognized humans and swam up to me, he deserves better. Maybe his decor was being cleaned and I didn’t see but it was heartbreaking to see him and a few other fish have such barren temporary homes.”
— G N3.04 weeks ago“Great service!”
— Jose Medina5.04 weeks ago“A fantastic little store for all your freshwater aquarium needs! Ran by such a sweet old lady to who was an absolute pleasure. Would definitely come back!”
— Mamp126945.0a month ago“The Pet Zone has to be the absolute worst -lace to order live fish online. I placed my order over a week ago and my order still hasn’t shipped. First of all, their telephone message is from Covid days days which was 6 years ago. Their website is probably the only one I have seen that doesn’t allow you to check your order status. You have to call. Problem is, no one ever answers the phone. You’re left uninformed which is not cool since I want to make sure I’m home to receive the fish. They also never answer texts so don’t bother with that also. I called yesterday and miraculously someone finally answered the phone and told me my order was not shipped. What do I have to wait? 2 weeks? Never experienced such total failure with customer service.move on to another company. You’re better off UPDATE!!!!!!!!!! You can’t make this stuff up. The worst operation of online live fish I’ve seen. They shipped my fish on the 24th. I didn’t get an email confirming shipment and tracking till the 28th, the day AFTER it was delivered to my mailbox parcel. Gee thanks. You’re supposed to send the confirmation email the day you ship so I can look out for the box in 2 to 3 days. Poor fish were ALL DEAD ON ARRIVAL having been in th4 box from the 24th till th 29th. All 10 were dead Tragic. From A thru Z this organization dropped the ball at every turn. How are they still in business??????????/. Again to the owner for gods sake email the customer the DAY you ship, not 4 days later after it’s been delivered. I don’t think I’ll see a worse dompamy than this. Good luck if you buy from these people. Don’t say I didn’t warn all of you”
— Eddie D1.0Edited a month ago“Lots to see”
— Evan Lumpovs5.03 months ago“Always a pleasure”
— Patricia Shannon5.03 months ago“Awesome for any freshwater aquarium enthusiast who particularly enjoys old school fish shops before the PetSmart and Petco of the industry. Grabbed some impressively large amano shrimp and a couple snails for my pond which improved water quality withing days. Will return for something exotic in the near future”
— Christos Brooks5.04 months ago“Pet Zone is an absolute scam of an aquarium shop. I ordered 3.5" large plecos and they sent me 1.5" small. When I asked if there had been a mixup they changed the website description and said that a 1.5" long fin pleco is their standard large size. Don't support dishonest people like this.”
— Doug1.0a week ago“Exelente”
— Jorge Companiony Tejeda5.03 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (619) 283-1812 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Pet Zone Tropical Fish.