Freshwater Fish Store in San Diego — The Only Freshwater-Only LFS
Most fish stores in San Diego carry both saltwater and freshwater. They split their tanks, their staff, and their expertise down the middle. The saltwater side gets the coral and the reef crowd. The freshwater side gets whatever's left.
Pet Zone doesn't do that. We're the only local fish store in the San Diego area that specializes in just freshwater. We made that choice on purpose — we wanted to be experts in one thing, not half-experts in two. Since 2007, that's exactly what we've done.
If you're looking for a freshwater fish store in San Diego that actually knows freshwater fish, carries rare species you won't find at the chain stores, and has the aquascaping supplies and plants to build a real planted tank — you're in the right place.
What We Offer
Freshwater Livestock:
- Community fish — tetras, rasboras, corydoras, guppies, livebearers
- Nano fish — pygmy corys, small tetras, rice fish, micro rasboras
- Cichlids — African and South American, including dwarf cichlids
- Discus — elegant, colorful, and demanding. We carry them when available
- Arowanas — silver, black, albino, Jardini, African
- Flowerhorns — SRD ZZ, Kamfa, specialty strains, individually listed
- Rare Plecos — L-number species, Zebra Plecos, Gold Nuggets, Royals
- Puffers — freshwater puffers with serious personality
- Datnoids, bichirs, knifefish — oddball and monster fish
- Shrimp — Neocaridina and Caridina, including high-grade crystals
- Koi and goldfish — pond fish and fancy goldfish
- Betta fish — including specialty varieties
- Invertebrates — snails, shrimp, and other clean-up crew
Aquascaping & Planted Tank Supplies:
- Aquatic plants — tissue culture, stem plants, epiphytes, carpeting plants, mosses
- Hardscape — Seiryu stone, Dragon stone, driftwood, river stones
- Substrates — aquasoil, sand, gravel
- CO2 systems and accessories
- Planted tank lighting
- Fertilizers and root tabs
- Aquascaping tools — scissors, tweezers, sand flatteners
Aquarium Equipment & Care:
- Aquariums and tanks (including UNS rimless glass aquariums)
- Filters and filtration media
- Heaters and thermometers
- Fish food and supplements
- Aquarium maintenance supplies
- Water conditioners and treatments
Services:
- Fish compatibility guidance
- Tank setup recommendations
- Aquascape layout planning
- Cycling and water quality guidance
- Livestock acclimation help
- Algae troubleshooting
- Specialty fish feeding guidance
- Aquascaping workshops at our Kearny Mesa location
Why Pet Zone Is the Best Freshwater Fish Store in San Diego
- We're the only freshwater-only LFS in San Diego. Every other fish store in town splits their focus between salt and fresh. We don't. 100% of our tanks, staff knowledge, and inventory is freshwater.
- Family-owned since 2007. Paul and Jenney started this store. Their sons Roger and Richard grew up in it. The team includes Derek (shrimp), Max (Flowerhorns), Pascal (Walstad/low-tech), Sean (shrimp/Iwagumi), Steven (Dutch style), and Gerard (dwarf cichlids/shrimp). You're talking to specialists, not generalists.
- We're San Diego's first full-scale aquascape store. We brought the Nature Aquarium approach to San Diego before anyone else.
- We're an official UNS retailer. Ultum Nature Systems rimless tanks, substrates, and tools in-store.
- We quarantine every fish. Every fish that comes through our doors gets quarantined before it goes on the sale floor. Sick fish don't make it to your tank.
- We hand-select our livestock. We don't order blind. Every fish is chosen because it's healthy and meets our standards.
- We ship nationwide. Select live fish, plants, shrimp, and supplies ship through PetZoneSD.com with overnight shipping and a Live Arrival Guarantee.
- Two locations, each with its own specialty. Convoy is the aquascaping store. Mid-City is the monster fish and koi store. Both carry freshwater fish and supplies.
Both Locations
Convoy District / Kearny Mesa — Aquascape Specialty Store:
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open 7 days a week, 10am–6pm
Located inside Convoy Plaza, between the 805 & 163 freeways, two blocks south of Balboa Ave. Close to the 805, 163, and 52 freeways.
This is the aquascaping hub. Full hardscape selection, UNS tanks and products, tissue culture plants, CO2 gear, aquascaping tools, and staff who specialize in planted tanks. Also carries community fish, nano fish, shrimp, and specialty freshwater fish.
Mid-City / University Ave — Monster Fish & Koi Specialty Store:
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Mon closed | Tue–Fri 10:30am–6pm | Sat 11am–6pm | Sun 11am–4pm
Located between 43rd & Van Dyke, right by the 15 freeway. Close to the 805, 8, and 94 freeways.
This is the monster fish store. Arowanas, Flowerhorns, peacock bass, bichirs, knifefish, predatory catfish, koi, and goldfish. Also carries community fish and aquascaping supplies.
Online & Phone Orders:
Toll-free: 1-866-MY-FISHY (1-866-693-4749)
Online sales line: (858) 302-2060
Email: help@petzonesd.com
Online sales hours: Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm PST
Online Shipping
We ship select live freshwater fish, aquatic plants, shrimp, hardscape, and aquarium supplies nationwide through PetZoneSD.com.
Shipping schedule:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: generally available
- Saturday: available by request with a weekend surcharge
Shipping methods:
- Overnight (FedEx/UPS): recommended for live fish. Qualifies for our Live Arrival Guarantee.
- USPS: available but does not qualify for the Live Arrival Guarantee. You assume the risk.
Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Applies to overnight shipping only
- DOA must be reported within 4 hours of delivery
- Take clear photos of the fish in the unopened bag
- Email photos and order number to help@petzonesd.com
- Approved resolutions are issued as store credit, not cash refund
- Shipping charges are not refunded
Someone must be available to receive live fish deliveries. Don't let fish sit outside in extreme temperatures.
FAQ
Q: Are you really the only freshwater-only fish store in San Diego?
A: Yes. Other stores in San Diego carry both saltwater and freshwater. We chose to focus on freshwater only — it lets us go deeper on species selection, aquascaping, and planted tank expertise than any store splitting their tanks in half.
Q: Which location should I visit?
A: If you're into aquascaping, planted tanks, or want UNS products, go to Convoy (4160 Convoy St). If you're into monster fish, Arowanas, Flowerhorns, or koi, go to Mid-City (4266 University Ave). Both locations carry community fish and general freshwater supplies. If you're not sure, call either store and we'll point you in the right direction.
Q: Can I order fish online?
A: Yes. We ship select live freshwater fish, plants, shrimp, and supplies nationwide through PetZoneSD.com. Check the website for current listings, shipping schedule, and Live Arrival Guarantee details. For order questions, call our online sales team at 858-302-2060.
Q: Do you quarantine your fish?
A: Yes. Every fish that comes through our doors gets quarantined before it goes on sale. We also hand-select our livestock — we don't order blind. This is one of the main reasons serious hobbyists choose us over chain stores.
Q: What if a fish arrives dead?
A: If you chose overnight shipping, our Live Arrival Guarantee covers it. Take clear photos of the fish in the unopened bag within 4 hours of delivery, email them to help@petzonesd.com with your order number, and we'll review the claim. Approved claims are resolved with store credit. Shipping charges are not refunded. USPS shipments are not covered.
Looking for more? Check out our Flowerhorn specialty page aquascaping page shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee page.