About
King Aquarium is a long-running, old-school fish store in San Jose, CA — the kind of independent shop that freshwater hobbyists keep championing. Walk in and the oversized display tanks along the front wall set the tone, a wall of color and movement that's greeted regulars for years. The store has narrowed its focus over time; it's smaller than it once was and runs freshwater-only now, but for African cichlids it's still one of the most reliable stops in the South Bay.
One reviewer who recently jumped back into the hobby said "every cichlid I wanted came from King Aquarium," with his tank thriving a month later. The heart of the place is Crystal, the owner, whom reviewers across the years describe as warm, honest, and genuinely knowledgeable. " If you're shopping for hardy, well-colored African cichlids for sale in San Jose, CA, the advice here is as valuable as the fish.
Beyond the cichlids, the tanks lean toward big, characterful freshwater species — the "monster fish" large specimens, red-tail catfish, and parrot cichlids people drive across town for — plus goldfish, shrimp and other freshwater invertebrates, and a rotating community selection you won't find at a big-box store. Prices run a touch above the chains, and regulars say the health and quality of the stock are exactly why they pay it. A few practical notes for anyone searching "fish store near me": hours can be irregular, so call before you make the trip — recent visitors and a sign on the door both recommend it.
Tanks aren't always individually labeled, so ask Crystal about a specific fish and its price. And if you're after a betta, look the cup over carefully first. None of that has dimmed the loyalty King Aquarium inspires — for freshwater fishkeepers who want a genuine local shop, this San Jose store is still worth the visit.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at King Aquarium in San Jose, CA
King Aquarium stocks African cichlids, cichlids, betta fish, goldfish, catfish, shrimp, invertebrates, rare and hard-to-find species and freshwater fish for sale in San Jose, CA. As a fish store serving San Jose, CA, it also offers aquarium consultations.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Long-running, freshwater-only San Jose fish store best known for African cichlids
- Oversized display tanks line the front of the store
- Owner Crystal gives honest, knowledgeable stocking and setup advice
- Big, characterful freshwater stock — 'monster fish' specimens, red-tail catfish, parrot cichlids, plus goldfish and shrimp
- Hours can be irregular, so call ahead before visiting
From keepers
Customer reviews
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Walking into King Aquarium felt a little like reconnecting with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. The shop may be smaller than it once was and no longer carries saltwater fish, but if you're into freshwater tanks, especially African Cichlids, this place is still very much worth the trip. When I decided to jump back into the hobby, I needed more than fish. I needed a stand, a canopy, advice, and a game plan. Crystal helped me get everything ordered the same day, and my custom items arrived surprisingly fast. No guessing, no upselling, just honest help from someone who clearly knows her stuff. Fast forward a month, and my tank is thriving. Every cichlid I wanted came from King Aquarium, and Crystal is still my first call whenever I have a question. In a world full of big-box stores where finding knowledgeable help feels like hunting for a rare fish, King Aquarium is the real deal. Support local businesses like this one. They're getting harder to find, and places like King Aquarium deserve to be around for a long time.”
— Robert H.5.02 weeks ago“Store not open during posted hours. Sign on door to call first, but no number given. Plenty of other stores in the area that are open during published hours 6/3/2026 updated I was able to get there when they were open. I'm not changing the rating. The person working wasn't around when I walked in. About 5 minutes later he said hi, and walked away, without asking if she could help. Fish were ok, many larger ones. It was impossible to know the price of a particular variant. Tanks weren't labeled as to the type of fish, most contained two or three. Prices on the tank were written on it as a range, such as 9.99-25.99, you don't know what price goes to what fish. It also made me wonder if they just charge what they feel like in the moment.”
— Maggie Harden1.0Edited 3 weeks ago“I love this place. Just make sure to call.”
— Veronica Perrotta5.0a month ago“I don’t get why Everytime I show up they are always seem to be closed. Is this place still in business?”
— Seas Mey1.03 months ago“They closed down.....”
— Anthony Valenzuela5.03 months ago“Great variety of fish. Extremely knowledgeable,passionate and accommodating staff. Got all my fish from them.”
— Sacha Stel5.0a month ago“I’ve been coming here for many years and have picked up some beautiful African cichlids here that were very hardy, I like the huge tanks in the front of the store and the great selection they have.”
— Timeless Vick5.0a month ago“Arrived during store hours but is closed”
— Edgardo Bucad1.0a month ago“Dirty tanks and unfriendly employees, I don't recommend spending your hard earned money there.”
— George Alvarez1.03 months ago“Shop keeper is nice but the bettas are not housed well. The bettas are kept in cups smaller than petsmart right next to eachother so there’s nothing blocking their view from of the other bettas, causing them to be stressed. The one I picked had pieces of his fins at the bottom of the cup from fin biting, likely due to stress. When I got home, I tested the water from the cup and it had .25 ppm of ammonia which any fish keeper knows is bad for the fish. Based on the ammonia readings, they are not changing the water in the cups often enough. I only got the fish I did because of how he seemed to want to swim towards me even in that little cup. I knew in my cycled 5gal he’d heal up well, and knowing myself I could tell I would think about him and regret not rescuing him from those conditions. Otherwise, I would have gone elsewhere that keeps their bettas in more habitable set ups such as Neptune Aquatics.”
— Megan2.05 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (408) 288-6968 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting King Aquarium.