Decent selection of fish and plants but poor and sloppy labeling on the tanks. Prices are on the high side and the staff are largely unhelpful and do not speak competent English. Tanks could be a little cleaner also. All that said, this is a large store with lots of fish stock, tanks and accessories. read more

This place is great for a LFS. I highly recommend you look at this place for buying your fish and all of your fish needs. It has tons of neat fish that are all well cared for including lion fish, discus, tangs, and gouramis. If you are a beginner aquarist, this is the place for you. They are helpful and steer you in the right direction. The only problem with this place is that they recommend that you cycle with fish, when you really should cycle fish-less. Great store, though. This place has nice quality fish from what I saw, both freshwater and marine fish, helpful employees, big selection of equipment, and no dead or sick fish floating around or dying in their tanks. read more

Great service! Was having trouble with my Fluval 306. PTF not only had all of the spare parts but wa willing to test the system after I had more trouble getting everything to work. As it turns out I had not reassembled properly. It took little time for the owner to figure out what I done wrong. Now everything works as designed with no leaks! read more

I have gone to all the pet stores in Pasadena for aquarium supplies, and what sets this one apart is its cleanliness, the knowledge of the manager of the store's contents, and the fact that it is only aquarium products - at least that is what I have seen both times I have gone. It smells clean compared to other pet stores. I was looking for some medicine for my Betta (she had a fungus). The medicine was very pricey online but this store had it for less than $2. Another pet store sold me one particular medicine which did not help and one Betta died. The solution I got from PTF store was exactly what I needed to save the other Betta. No other store carried this item. They have a huge selection of many things for salt water and freshwater aquariums, including a wonderful variety of fish and aquatic pets. I will be returning for my supplies here from now on. read more

My friend introduced me to this fish store, for salt water fish. I went after work and walked in saw this JBJ 28G nano with full led lighting and man was i sold.. Got the tank and a stand for a great deal, better than anyone else around the area. Got all my invertebrates and fishes from Steve, very nice guy and very good prices, oh and i forgot to mention he has soft and hard coral there too if you want frags. This is the place to go too. Hands down one of the best fish stores I've been too. read more

This store is very well stocked. Steve the owner is great and always very helpful. I've been going here since 2005 and they really help me alot putting my 60gallon tall saltwater tank together.. Recommended AAAA++++.. THANKS PASADENA TROPICAL.. read more

I was spoiled back east where I'm from with one of the best aquarium stores in the nation. And when i moved to Pasadena, I was so depressed that all I could find was Petco. Thank GOD I found Pasadena Tropical Fish. The freswater fish in their store were so well cared for. I saw no indications of any sicknesses (no ick for example, which seems to be endemic to other shops) and all the fish were well colored, plump, and happily swiming around-- even the very shy species such as loaches. Their prices were almost unbelievable as well. I haven't ever seen fish this healthy or reasonably priced before, anywhere. Also the staff knew their fish, when they were last fed, what they were fed ect, and any issues I may have. I got a beautiful 8" fire eel from them-- one of the harder spiny eels to keep-- and it was healthy as can be, and slowly getting used to it's surroundings. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend PTF to anyone and will hopefully be forging a long term relationship with them. read more

I will not buy my Koi anywhere else. I've been shopping here for over 7 years and still have most of the original Koi I purchased. Good price large assortment of healthy fish. Also great variety of water plants. read more

I went in to get some plants and they had a very large selection. Normally with mom and pop stores some animals aren't really taken care of well but his fish are of really great quality. I plan on going there for all my fishy needs. read more

well i have been a customer longer than I can remember, when they were down the street on the north side in a little hole in the wall. Maybe 25 years back or more. I'd advise going online for tanks and equipment, which all professionals do now. 15 years ago you'd find a full selection of tanks and equipment here but it is just too easy to get exactly what you want online, delivered overnight, for less. So anyway, Steve knows his fish, the best products to use, advice, and guides you based on your experience. Owning a nice aquarium is a sport or hobby, not just something you set in the corner like a vase. He also knows where everything is which is unique. If I walk in and say I want a couple of albino angel fish he can tell you if he has or not and go show you. In and in out in a couple minutes. I love aquariums and have all or had all kinds and visited all the stores in So CA. I'd recommend this as the only one to friends and the only one I go to. Most of these stores are ran by shifty Asian people who do not know much more than how to catch a fish and ring the register. This place knows fish and are there to help and guide you. Not there to ring the register. There are some comments about service - yes, they don't bother you here. If you want something just whistle or say "excuse me" or go find somebody. They are great, helpful and this is their MO. I appreciate that, this isn't Nordstrom, I don't want somebody on me trying to push a sale. read more

cool place, huge selection spent 30 minutes browsing and still didnt get to see everything

they have a lot of stuff here, although the wife and husband didn't really come over and ask me if i needed help, proceeded to ask the wife if they could give me a deal if i bought 15+ rummy nose tetras (at 2.99, its kind of pricey) and she said no (kind of lame) but the fish store is big and has a lot of cool freshwater plants. discus are nice but very expensive. read more

Fantastic. I live in downtown LA and none of the aquarium stores in my area carry Eco Complete, but this place does. Immense selection of saltwater and freshwater fish in mostly good health with well maintained tanks, in addition to a wide range of equipment. I spent quite some time admiring the livestock. The lady who helped me out was very knowledgeable and friendly. It is a little cluttered but well organized, and should meet the expecations of most aquarium enthusiasts. Support our local fish stores, this place is well worth your time! read more

I've been coming to this shop since I was a kid in the 90's until today. Their selection of saltwater fish and corals surpass any of the major chain stores around the area! Much better prices on livestock too. It's a family owned place that loves to help newcomers! Check it out! read more

I have been this store many times. The male boss is quite knowledgable. So I buy some Texas rocks from him. After went back home, I try to water wash those rocks and find out there are some black and yellow spots on the rocks and smell like fungus or mold. I repeat wash and brush it but eventually still cannot remove those spots so I return those rocks to the male boss next day. After couple days, I go to the store again and find out the rocks I return to this store has been scratched and bleached. Can you believe it ?! Rocks has been bleached to whiter color!! If you want to poison your fish, then buy rocks here. This male boss is not a honest business man at all! Be careful for buying stuff here! read more

I just got back into the saltwater world about a year ago, after taking about 12 years off. The changes in the equipment and the ability to breed and cultivate ocean creatures has changed my mind about becoming an aquarist again. I love that my evolving knowledge of the mini reef may someday contribute to saving the oceans and replenishing them. So, technically I've been around a long time and have dealt with lots of saltwater shops and in my opinion, this is by far the best shop I know of. Steve and Natalie truly care about the fish and reef creatures they have. And as other reviews have stated, they are great people and will teach you all you need to know if asked. The operative word here is teach. If you are unteachable, you're probably not going to have a very pleasant experience. They are open 7 days a week and just from my limited time I've spent in the shop, I've heard some major BS from customers who complain and then are not open to the expert knowledge of people who have been in the fish world for at least 25 years. So, if you find Steve and Natalie unpleasant, maybe there's a reason? Just sayin! And for those who think they are letting fish and coral die and are bothered by aging equipment? This is not a cheap endeavor, first of all, for eveyone envolved. And, just one of the things I love about Steve and Natalie is that they don't throw out the sick! They treat them! So if something looks like its ailing, rest assured, it is being treated to try and being it back to health. Just ask them and they will tell you how they are treating them. It's not pretty but I really have not had the experience of LFS who care enough to do that. A lot of LFS would just rather throw out anything that looks less than perfect at the risk of having customers think they are not taking care of their shop. Steve and Natalie have a huge store and as long as I've been going there, they are constantly making upgrades to it. I'm in awe of the work they put into trying to keep up with this ever evolving world. Beware, looks aren't everything. Their shop gives a realistic picture of what the aquarist will experience, for sure. And, if you are open to learning from the master, amazing things will happen! You might even get a discount! read more

This store has an excellent selection of both saltwater and freshwater stock. The equipment and supply selections are also quite decent, with relatively attentive service from the staff; nothing too spectacular or horrible. Unfortunately, I am knocking off a star as items are often marked up to painfully high levels. On my last visit, I was informed an ATI master kit was $50, when the same kit was available online for $17. I'd save this store for hard to find or specialty stock, and go elsewhere for run of the mill items. read more

My first experience with them is average. Their price is a bit high, but they are very nice people to negotiate with. I visit this place almost every week now and I get discounts without requesting it. The place is very big compared to most store. I really with they can carry more rare corals. Large section for fresh and saltwater fish. read more

AWESOME--- any salt or freshwater fish needs, even koi -PTF is the place!!! Owners Natalie and Steve are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Just about anything you need would be here- food, supplies, tanks, filtration - everything!! If you need help, suggestions, problems with your set up- they're a great help! Prices are good- tropical fish isn't a cheap hobby, helps to have reasonable rates! They're not easily seen right off the road, they're set back a bit in the parking lot, so easy to drive by! read more

Just left this place after looking for an emergency battery air pump for my nano reef tank. I saw several fish just sitting in the hot store in bags in the hopes someone will buy them. Included several blue tangs. Keep in mind blue tangs cannot be captive bred so each of these fish suffocating in their own waste was plucked from the ocean somewhere. In the back of the store was a large tank with exposed bioballs that had the thickest layer of detritus and junk on top of them I've ever seen. Not surprisingly there was a large fish of unknown type in the back of the tank dying, literally being eaten alive by its parrot fish tank mate. The store is a mess and every indication is that the fish are kept in tanks just habitable enough to keep them alive for a few days. Please do not support this place. There are plenty of responsible reef/fish stores around who take care of their animals. Vivid aquariums in the Valley and SPS Corals in La Canada are a few examples. Remember, all fish and corals are live animals and should be treated with care. If they were dogs, PTF would be shut down in a heart beat. read more

I went there to buy tropical fish (fresh water) Probably the best fish store in the sgv. good selection, helpful staff, fair prices

Amazing store. I wasn't too sure if it was going to be worth the drive but I was wrong. Great selection of Saltwater, Freshwater and Koi fish. Great prices, wish I had more money to spend. Maybe next time. I would rate this 4 1/2 out of 5 if I could. Only thing would be for it to be a little more organized but great experience overall I will be going back there again. read more

Love this place! I've been going here for years and love it! The owners are always helpful and friendly (to me) and I appreciate it! We have a Large Aquarium, but by no means, are we experts and they are always willing to answer questions we have and I love their selection of fish! We have always had Great Luck with everything we've gotten from here, i.e., fish, plants, food and anything else! Thank you Pasadena Tropical Fish! read more

My husband and myself happened upon this store when in Pasadena. We are there every week. Steve, the owner is very knowledgeable on fish and products. We have saltwater and I thought I knew all there was to know, but he proved me wrong. We live over the mountains from Pasadena in the high desert, and have no problem going to his store. The store is well stocked with fish and products, specialty parts that you could need. Go check it out! read more

Pasadena Tropical Fish is a great aquarium supply store. Although it looks a bit shabby at first, they have a great selection of fish and supplies and the tanks are always spotless. The owners are a couple, both of whom are very knowledgeable about fish. Steve, the husband, helped us special order a gorgeous custom tank for our living room, and the two of them helped us through all of the ups and downs of getting the tank established. Once you're a regular customer here, Steve will set aside special fish for you, and will give you a discount. On the two occasions (out of dozens of fish--I really do believe most of the fish here are healthy, and much more healthy than at PetSmart up the street) when we've had fish die close to purchase, we haven't had any problems getting store credit for those fish. Pasadena Tropical is the only place we go for our aquarium needs. My only qualm is that I wish they would stop selling turtles as I do not believe it is ethical to keep turtles as pets. read more

This store is a very helpful, family-run local business, and is no more pricey than a chain. After having stopped by several times with a difficult project, they helped me get my system up and running, and gave me advice about how to care for it. This place is straightforward, so keep in mind you ought to have an idea of what you're looking for, and that it's not going to be wrapped in ribbons and presented with a smile. It's a local fish store. That said, I couldn't have hoped for a more perfect place to go to get everything I needed to start my small-scale aquaponics system! I recommend this store for great options in fish, plants, filters, tubing, nets, gravel, replacement parts/components, and a knowledgeable staff that doesn't try to sell you stuff you don't need like chains will. The fish here are healthy and well cared for professionally, despite previous reviews by newbs stating otherwise because they don't know about what's normal regarding fish tanks in general. Don't be put off. Come to PTF. read more

I recommend Natalie and the staff for their knowledge of a wide variety of fish, supplies and for the thoughtful way she has cared for two of our fish. When my husband and I returned from a brief vacation, our striped angel fish appeared to be very pregnant, so I called PTF and got advice from Natalie on how to care for a pregnant fish.We felt we could not take care of the female and male friend by setting up a separate tank ect, in our home, so I brought them both to Natalie. Natalie and the staff have been conscientiously taking care of our angels,controlling their diet and environment . After about two months amazingly Natalie realized she was NOT pregnant, and her belly size has reduced. Having a dedicated tank for the 2 fish along with proper lighting, live plants, optimal temperature and diet has allowed them to thrive. While we miss them we know they are happy and thriving- where they now live and where I visit them regularly. We will continue to select Pasadena Tropical Fish for all our future aquatic needs and have not found anywhere to equal the staff and their service. read more

So I have spent some SERIOUS time and money getting my planted tank up and running and have ALL of the elements needed for a successful system. Something was still wrong as some of my plants were not taking off like they should. So I purchased a master test kit and found out that the RO water I have been purchasing from Pasadena Tropical Fish isn't RO quality AT ALL and I am pissed!!!! The GH on the water out of jug tested off the charts. In fact, in a side by side test against our local tap water the tap water and PTF RO water tested about the same. I don't know what he is and isn't doing over there at his store; however, one thing is for certain, their RO water is NOT RO at all !!!! So I went to a local store called Water Boy here in Monrovia and their filtered water tested between 0 and 10 for GH (general hardness). This was just icing on the cake for me, I am done with PTF and the store owner's crappy water and attitude. Several times he has been rude to me and my wife for no particular reason. His wife is friendly but I haven't seen her in the store much lately. Don't buy their RO water until you have verified that they have fixed their equipment. read more