SLO aquarium store is closing after 21 years — and giving away free fish
An aquarium store in San Luis Obispo is closing after more than 20 years in business.
Tropics Aquarium Professionals is preparing to shut its doors at 12330 Los Osos Valley Road in December.
“Store closing. Store wide discounts and sales,” Tropics first announced in a Facebook post on Dec. 6.
The impending closure prompted an outcry from customers who have relied on the shop for everything from aquarium tanks to frozen rats over the years.
“We are sad to hear the shop is closing. It will be missed,” Mike Ornellas wrote in a comment on the Facebook post.
Facebook user Frederick Carbone called news of the closure “a bummer,” describing Tropics as “one of the last great aquarium stores.”
When is the shop closing? And what’s on sale at the aquarium store?
Here’s what to know.
What is Tropics Aquarium Professionals?
According to its website, Tropics Aquarium Professionals is the “premier aquarium and reptile store in San Luis Obispo.”
Tropics Aquarium Professionals opened in 2004 under owners Paul Schuldt and Lanor Messenger, its website said.
For 21 years, the store has sold specialty aquarium equipment and supplies, as well as live aqua-cultured coral, freshwater plants and saltwater fish and shrimp.
The business also specializes in invertebrates and reptiles, and sells a range of live and frozen food for reptiles.
When is SLO aquarium store closing?
The official closing date will depend on how quickly the store can rehome fish and reptiles currently at the shop, according to Schuldt.
Tropics could shut down in a matter of days, or by the end of December at the latest, Schuldt told The Tribune on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The shop will not be opening in a new location.
On Facebook, Tropics confirmed to customers that it was “permanently” closing its store.
Schuldt declined to provide details on why the store is closing.
Aquarium store selling reptiles, giving away free fish
During the shop’s final days in business, Tropics Aquarium Professionals is selling discounted merchandise and animals.
According to a Dec. 17 Facebook post, the shop will remain open through the weekend as it works to clean up and rehome a variety of fish and reptiles.
Tropics said it was giving away an assortment of free freshwater fish.
The shop was also seeking buyers for a breeding trio of keel-bellied lizards and several ball pythons.
In addition, Tropics was selling used aquariums and equipment, reptile and rodent racks, natural decor and discounted dry goods, according to the social media post.
What are open hours at SLO aquarium store?
As of Wednesday, Tropics said its currently open “roughly regular hours” but may close intermittently for meals or to run errands “due to reduced staff,” the company said on Facebook.
The store is typically open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
