About
CB's Tropical Aquarium has grown into one of Portland's most respected independent fish shops, and its larger home off 181st and Division gives the store room to breathe. The space is organized into clearly labeled, separated rooms for freshwater and saltwater, with spotless tanks lining the walls and a layout that rewards slow wandering — more than one visitor admits they would have stayed longer if they didn't have groceries waiting in the car. Owner Travis brings roughly 30 years in the hobby, and recent reviewers single out a deep bench of staff beyond him: Kendra, Scott, and Shannon all earn shout-outs for patient, honest guidance, and several parents note how welcoming the team is with curious kids.
For reef keepers hunting for an aquarium store near me, the saltwater side is a genuine draw. The coral selection is praised as healthy and pest-free with clear, reasonable pricing, and the reef and invertebrate collection keeps growing as regulars note the saltwater section is steadily coming along while the new space fills in. You'll spot tangs, clownfish, and other marine life in well-kept display tanks, and CB's has earned a reputation as the shop Portland reefers trust for water changes.
Freshwater hobbyists have just as much to dig into. The store stocks discus — sold only to keepers who can show they'll care for them properly — along with clown plecos, tetras, Amazon sword plants, and a full range of community fish for sale in Portland, OR. Shrimp keepers rate CB's for some of the best shrimp genetics in town, and planted-tank fans find live plants plus real guidance.
Koi and pond owners have turned to the shop during genuine emergencies and left grateful. What sets this place apart is the straight talk: honest opinions over upsells, a hand loading your car, and a team that will track down an answer rather than guess. For Portland-area fishkeepers who want clean, healthy livestock and a shop that feels like a community hub, CB's Tropical Aquarium is hard to beat.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at CB'S Tropical Aquarium in Portland, OR
CB'S Tropical Aquarium stocks corals, reef fish, discus, invertebrates, shrimp, clownfish, tangs, koi, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Portland, OR. As an aquarium store serving Portland, OR, it also carries dry goods, fish food and aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations, tank maintenance, water testing and pond services.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefDiscusInvertebratesShrimpLive PlantsPlanted TanksClownfishTangsKoiPlecosTetrasAfrican CichlidsDry GoodsFish FoodAquarium Equipment
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Separated, clearly labeled rooms for freshwater and saltwater in the larger 181st & Division location
- Healthy, pest-free corals with clear, reasonable pricing
- Knowledgeable team — owner Travis plus staff like Kendra, Scott, and Shannon — known for honest advice over upsells
- Rated for some of the best shrimp genetics in town, plus discus sold only to prepared keepers
- Trusted by Portland reef keepers for saltwater water changes
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Clean,organized store. Helpful kind staff. Tanks are very well kept.”
— Ira Germany5.05 days ago“Always friendly staff and fully fleshed out freshwater selection. Saltwater section coming along. Some dry goods I noticed are priced significantly higher than you can find at online retailers (which I know can be an unfair comparison but I think more than 2x on some products is a bit much, in my opinion, while knowing how impossible it’s becoming to run small brick and mortar businesses).”
— Connor Crouse5.0a week ago“Nice clean tanks. Helpful staff”
— Kammie Lamb5.0a week ago“The lady here was SO helpful, and kind! Very knowledgeable. She was amazing with my kids, and was able to help me with any questions I had. 10/10☆ The fish are healthy, tanks are clean - just an amazing store.”
— Heather Van Vorst (Muziczlover1020)5.03 weeks ago“Amazing experience, highly recommend. Very friendly knowledgeable staff, specifically Kendra and the store layout is really cool as well and everything looked so healthy and loved as well.”
— Lee Isaac5.0a month ago“Everyone here is very knowledgeable and if they don’t know the answer, they will find out for you! They are willing to help you and they have a wide variety of fish that are healthy!”
— Lisa (Zebra)5.02 months ago“Fast easy Smart good selection. Good staff and healthy fish. My new fish store for sure!”
— Tyler Seward5.02 months ago“Very helpful staff. Awesome reef and invertebrate collection. I really like how all the room are separated out and labeled. When I told the owner I was new to the hobby he even told us about other locations nearby.”
— Atom Saturniidae5.02 months ago“We had a great experience here! As absolute beginner fish people we were put on the right track with the help of Scott who answered all our questions and was a joy to learn from. We now have everything we need and can finally start! This place is awesome and has everything from fantastic fish of all sorts, all supplies and most importantly a helpful staff! Recommend!”
— mikha valentine5.02 months ago“Knowledgeable and friendly, but most importantly, they really care about their animals (yes, coral is an animal). Best quality shrimp genetics you can get in town. Would highly recommend! 10 stars”
— Sara B5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (503) 666-6668 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting CB'S Tropical Aquarium.