Tropical Fish International

1080 Saratoga Ave #11, San Jose, CA 95129, USA

Address:	1080 Saratoga Ave #11, San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Phone:	+1 408-243-3960
Rating:	3.4
Working:	11AM–8PM 1–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 10AM–6PM 12–6PM

Location

Photos 8

Reviews 11

Herberto Salazar

PLEASE READ THE WHOLE REVIEW BEFORE COMING TO A CONCLUSION. I was referred here by Dolphin Pet Village because Dolphin closed down. At first glance, walking into the store, it looked like a dump. The saltwater "display" tank was full of algae and no nice fish or coral. Only some of the saltwater tanks in the main fishroom were full and all were dim. Some even had a dark tint to the water (I forgot to ask what it was). On closer inspection, however, the fish do look healthy. I saw no dead or sick fish. The owner, Irene, a very sweet, nice person, came and helped me. She pointed to the new arrivals in a side fish room. She had the new arrivals in kitchen basket-strainers (very strange, but oh well). I noticed that they were extremely bright and colorful. One species that I have seen before on the internet and other stores caught my eye. I had never been impressed by this species, but this specimen was superior and so were the others. She said that she hand-picks these and they go fast. They were half the price that I see on Live Aquaria and other stores!!! She keeps them like this to observe them and keeps them with cleaner wrasses, skunk cleaner shrimp, and peppermint shrimp to eat any parasites that she missed. I was impressed and she sold me by telling me that she holds fish for people and calls when they eat regularly as long as they pay up front (sold). There were also some nice rose bubble tip anenome in the next tank. Another look at the main fish room and I noticed the liverock. This is where she also keeps corals when she has them. She didnt currently have any corals, but they were full of lavender coraline algae and at least three different species of red macro-algae (very nice). I wish I would have bought my liverock from her. Looking at the hard goods, I noticed that she sells the dreaded cheap brand, Odyssea, especially lighting. The only hard goods I saw that I would by or recommend were the tanks and food. I walked around to the freshwater section and they also looked nice. She had some nice earth eater cichlids. None of these fish looked sick or unhealthy, either. Still a small selection, they probably move fast. I spent some time talking to her (again, she is so nice). She hand picks a lot of her fish for color, including percula clownfish. I saw one that was still left and I can say she picks nice ones. She also trains the dragonettes to eat prepared foods and pellets. I would love to have a trained dragonette in the future and now I know where to get one locally. She also trains the cleaner wrassses. Overall, Im happy I found this place. Even thought Im going to miss a one-stop-shop for hard goods as well as livestock (Dolphin), I feel like a door has closed, but a window was open. Im looking forward to picking up mu fish and coming back here to get more fish and shrimp and whatever else Irene might pick out. I recommend this place.

Maral Mianji

THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO FOR HEALTHY FISH AND HONEST SALESMANSHIP! do the tanks appear dirty and old? yes is it a bit disorganized? yes is it small? yes but this was the only place i have ever run across, whos owner is in the store every day, and genuinely there, looking out for her customers best interests. she carries rarer varieties of fancy goldfish for extremely reasonable prices, which was something i found very difficult to come by compared to tropical or salt water fish. i walked in one day and she had PONPOMS! before i bought one from her, the choices were quickly narrowing down to forgetting about finding a decent local shop to get my goldfish from or spending a small fortune ordering fish online internationally. in short, this store has saved me a ton of trouble and money, it really is a hidden gem. her prices arent posted so make sure to ask. if you have any questions regarding care or even want your water tested, shell be happy to help (there is a bit of a language barrier tho,just warning you!) from my experience, Irene is very knowledgable in fish keeping and maintains fairly healthy fish stock, what more could you want from an aquarium store?

A Private User

HOLE IN THE WALL IS UNDERSTATEMENT- I found this shop by accident. My wife recollected taking her brother there when she was a teen and stated the place was "cool". I dont know if its new ownership or just a burnt out owner but its kind of a dump. There was one woman working there at the time I stopped by. It was dark, dirty, smelled bad, and all of the tanks had tannin-stained brown water. Not one had clear-ish water. The fish selection was minimal. There were several tanks that were 1/4 to 1/2 filled which seemed to contribute to the odor. On top of it all, there was an old dog there that smelled so bad I climbed through a gap in some shelving in order to leave without passing by the dog again. This place does not compared to Dolphin, King, or several other "local" places. I did not get a chance to experience any customer service nor did I get to see if their fish are healthy/ happy. It was a dingy, stinky place that I will not go back to. Thanks for reading. Matt

Chelsy Reed

There were some beautiful fish, but they were dying. She had brackish/salt water fish in freshwater. Drowning crabs, fish with chunks of flesh missing from tank mates, fish covered in ick. A tank full of dragon gobies that were about to die of starvation. I wanted to buy some fish, but I didnt want to risk putting these horribly abused fish in the same non diseased tank. On a side note, they also had absolutely price tags. Anyway, this store should be shut down for animal abuse and health concerns.

Jeremy Faraone

This store is the best fish store in the bay area. Not the biggest. But the owner is the nicest lady ever and we always go to her. Even now living in Redwood City, I still make the 35-45 minute drive just to go to her store. My Fiance and I are getting married in a few weeks and she is going to hand pick 14 betta fish for us all the same color. Now thats taking customer service to the max.

A Private User

I have checked nearly every fish shop in the entire san jose area. The aquarium, dolphin pets, king aquarium --- none of their fish are as healthy as this stores fish. Prices are cheapest too! Coral selection is sparse but she gets in a few good pieces every once in a while. Bottom line, if u want ich free, HEALTHY --- EATING fish. Go here, its a bit holeinthewall but who cares~!

A Private User

Great Selection of saltwater fish! Good prices, not that bad or smells bad, go every other week to see what new type of saltwater fish they have. Always helpful.

A Private User

hole in the wall maybe, but she knows her fish.. been in the fish biz longer than i been the hobby, which is over 16 yrs. sometimes has nice marine angels.

A Private User

this place is alsome lady is nice and helpful bunch of alsome cool fish n everything u need! its popping!

Ann Higgins

Owner is very knowledgeable. Great selection of interesting fish.

Sourav Maji

Sorry to say the owner died. I liked going to this place. RIP