--- type: store name: "Iowa City Tropicals" city: "Iowa City" state: "IA" rating: 5 reviews: 36 url: https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/iowa-city/iowa-city-tropicals --- # Iowa City Tropicals Fish store in Iowa City, Iowa - **Address**: 412 Highland Ave E, Iowa City, IA 52240, Iowa City, IA, 52240 - **Phone**: (319) 259-3668 - **Website**: [www.iowacitytropicals.com/](https://www.iowacitytropicals.com/) - **Rating**: 5.0/5 (36 reviews) ## Hours | Day | Hours | | --- | --- | | Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Thursday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | | Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | ## About Iowa City Tropicals has quickly earned a devoted following in the Iowa City area — and even draws hobbyists from as far as Cedar Rapids. Operated by a single passionate owner, this shop punches well above its weight with an impressive selection of freshwater fish, live plants, shrimp, snails, and all the supplies needed to keep them thriving. The plant selection is a standout. Multiple reviewers describe it as one of the best plant displays they've seen, with healthy specimens in excellent variety. Whether you're building a lush planted tank or just adding a few stems, the quality and condition of the plants here consistently impress. Livestock is equally well cared for — tanks are clean, fish look healthy, and one customer reported a pair of bristlenose plecos that spawned just two months after purchase, a testament to the stock's vitality. Beyond plants and fish, the shop stocks a surprisingly deep range of supplies: driftwood, substrate, air pumps, heaters, and other aquarium accessories, all at prices that reviewers repeatedly note undercut the big box stores. One customer described gradually replacing their entire chain-store starter kit with upgrades purchased here. But the real draw is the owner's approach. He's known for patient, judgment-free conversations about responsible fishkeeping. He'll spend 20 minutes discussing plant care, steer beginners through their first setup step by step (even in Spanish), and give honest advice that sometimes costs him a sale — like warning against fish that won't survive in a customer's tank. He also takes special requests to source specific species. First-time fishkeepers and established hobbyists alike leave feeling genuinely supported. For anyone in eastern Iowa looking for a dedicated freshwater shop with healthy livestock, thriving plants, fair prices, and an owner who treats the hobby as a calling rather than a transaction, Iowa City Tropicals delivers on every front. ## Specializations - **Water Types**: Freshwater - **Livestock & Products**: Live Plants, Planted Tanks, Shrimp, Invertebrates, Bettas, Plecos, Dry Goods, Aquarium Equipment - **Services**: Consultation - **Known For**: Premium Equipment, Knowledgeable Staff, Beginner Friendly, Good Prices ## Highlights - Exceptional live plant selection with one of the best plant displays in the area - Healthy fish, shrimp, snails, and invertebrates including bristlenose plecos and bettas - Aquarium supplies and equipment priced well below big box stores - Owner provides patient, honest fishkeeping guidance for all experience levels - Clean, well-maintained tanks and livestock that thrive after purchase ## Customer Reviews **"Marjorie Perez"** - 5/5 - 3 weeks ago > Servicio excelente y calidez humana. Con mucha paciencia para explicarnos el proceso y paso a paso para tener a nuestro primer pez de mascotas! **"julie macy"** - 5/5 - 3 weeks ago > The owner of Iowa City Tropicals was very prompt in assisting me with placing an order. We messaged a few times, and my order was placed the same day I reached out. We worked together to coordinate the order and pick up date (I do not live in Iowa City). I really appreciated how supportive the owner was. Please consider frequenting this great shop. **"Emma Baumert"** - 5/5 - a month ago > The owner was very welcoming and extremely helpful! I was amazed by his variety of plants and fish. 100% recommend and i will be back for all my fish needs!! **"Jay Duncan"** - 5/5 - 2 months ago > Great selection of plants and one of the best plant displays I’ve seen **"Amy “Panda” J"** - 5/5 - 2 months ago > Had an amazing variety of plants. Very knowledgeable. We'll definitely be back. **"Riley Evans"** - 5/5 - 2 months ago > Best fish store in Iowa City Area. Great prices! Great variety! Very knowledgeable owner that will help point you in the right direction! 🐠🐟 **"Amaria Sowada"** - 5/5 - 2 months ago > Super nice and talkative, him and my fiance talked about fish and growing plants for a good 20 minutes very great place to get your plants or fish super kind and great guy!!!! Thank youuuu!:) **"Kyle Meeks"** - 5/5 - 3 months ago > Great store, owner is great to ask questions about and good prices **"PGHS"** - 5/5 - Edited 4 months ago > The owner is very knowledgeable and has recommendations even if it costs him a sale involving responsible fish ownership. I’ve made purchases of fish, aquarium accessaries, wood, substrate, air pumps, heaters, you name it. Always a good deal when you buy from this guy. You not only get the item you get the benefit of his life experience. Would visit and buy again. **"Kyle Holderness"** - 5/5 - 4 months ago > This guy knows his stuff. I got the standard starter kit at a big chain store but then randomly gave him a shot at supplies. I’ll only go here from now on. Bought several tank upgrades and fish from here. He’s a pro. ## Nearby Stores - [Fish Fix](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/thayer/fish-fix) - Thayer, IA - 5.0/5 - [Fish Barn](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/west-branch/fish-barn) - West Branch, IA - 4.9/5 - [Fish Shack](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/manchester/fish-shack) - Manchester, IA - 4.8/5 - [GroFin Aquatics](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/sioux-city/grofin-aquatics) - Sioux City, IA - 4.8/5 - [Loess Hills Pet Collective](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/mapleton/loess-hills-pet-collective) - Mapleton, IA - 4.8/5 - [Something Fishy](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/dubuque/something-fishy) - Dubuque, IA - 4.8/5 --- *Source: [FishStores.org](https://www.fishstores.org/iowa/iowa-city/iowa-city-tropicals)* *Last updated: February 7, 2026*