About
Tucked into Bloomingdale, New Jersey, Aquariums By JJ is a family-run shop that punches well above its weight class in both freshwater and saltwater livestock. The store, which recently expanded a couple doors down from its original location, carries a surprisingly deep inventory for a mom-and-pop operation — reviewers have walked out with everything from zebra danios and tetras to flowerhorns, flounders, plecos, and batches of 30 goldfish. The saltwater side stocks a solid selection of marine fish along with anemones and clams, though coral hunters may want to call ahead.
What sets Aquariums By JJ apart is the hands-on guidance from the owner and staff. One first-time fishkeeper recounted how the owner talked them down from overstocking a new tank, effectively saving their fish from a nitrogen cycle disaster. Another customer got free moss tossed into their bag after a quick phone call about a specific fish.
The staff has a reputation for being straight with customers — they'll tell you when a shipment just arrived and advise you to wait, and they'll make sure a reptile buyer truly understands what they're signing up for before leaving with a new snake. The shop doubles as a reptile destination, with a dedicated reptile section next door featuring a wide selection of animals and hard-to-find supplies like specialty bulbs. The owner has been known to give kids personal tours, let them hold rare reptiles, and even show off "dinosaur eggs" — the kind of experience that turns a supply run into a family outing.
Tank cleanliness and fish health are frequently praised, with multiple reviewers noting immaculate displays and vibrant, strong livestock. The store also carries a solid range of aquarium equipment, parts, and supplies. A few visitors have noted occasional inconsistencies — one batch of tetras that didn't survive, or periods during the expansion when things looked chaotic — but the overwhelming consensus is that this is a passionate, knowledgeable shop where the fish come home healthy and the advice is genuine.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run shop with hands-on owner who provides personalized fishkeeping guidance
- Strong freshwater and saltwater livestock selection including flowerhorns, plecos, flounders, and marine fish
- Adjacent reptile store with specialty supplies and rare animals
- Staff known for honest advice — will talk customers out of bad purchases
- Consistently praised for clean tanks and healthy fish
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Really love this store and the staff is very knowledgeable. The guy on the reptile side isnt just trying to sell you a pet snd send you on your way, he really made sure I knew what I was getting into and even debunked some of the research I did and I was very thankful. We love our new snake and look forward to building a relationship with the staff like I do with most pet stores I frequent.”
— Bryan Ovidio5.02 weeks ago“Extremely friendly local reptile and aquarium store. Called up looking for a specific fish, got a helpful answer on the phone and 10 minutes later had the fish in a bag. Got some free plants as part of the deal too -- just some moss he had extra but still. Very happy with our walk in. Cheers!”
— E A5.03 months ago“Just a really strange shop. Messy, cramped, and most of the tanks didn't even have any fish or other creatures in them.”
— Nelson Silva3.04 months ago“Adorable welcoming Cats 💖 Great selection of reptiles and fish.”
— viviana mendez5.0a year ago“LOVE the store, people working there are AWESOME, product, fish etc is very good quality. Never had any problems with them, highly recommend !!!”
— Svetlana Capalbo5.02 years ago“Owner was nice, got 3 types of fish unfortunately the tetras all passed away the next day in tested water. So looks like 1 batch out of the 3 weren't good.”
— Rich G3.02 years ago“Knowledgeable staff, healthy fish, great supplies and advice. Everything you want in a fish shop!”
— Curious Observer5.02 years ago“They are moving a few doors down so it wasn't a good time to go but planning to return when they are settled in..”
— Frank Capasso4.03 years ago“I went there after spending over an hour waiting for help at Petco and googled this aquarium place and off I went. My granddaughter got a fish tank for Christmas and I don't know the first things about what to do. Walked into his store and was greeted immediately and explained what I needed and he was more than happy to help. ( Even when I changed my mind numerous times) I will definitely be going back and sending my friends there. Thank you for all your help.”
— Cindy Gilson5.03 years ago“I took a long drive for another visit to this shop looking for some plecos and a few other aquarium items. The first time I stopped here I was pleasantly surprised with the health of the fish and the store in general. They were in the midst of expanding their shop two doors down, so things were understandably a little chaotic. Unfortunately this time I was kind of shocked by the conditions the fish were in. Lacking color, signs of bacterial/fungal issues—which shied me away from making any fish purchases. I saw some bettas that were in a cup on the counter and took a peek— ugh. Looking terrible and sad— one was kept in a small bowl, no heater or filtration. Very disappointing. Then I ventured to the new ‘reptile store’ they have opened. Lots of good supplies but sorry looking animals for sale. Staff wasn’t the friendliest, at least the guy behind the counter. He seemed miffed to stop what he was working on to help. Sorry, but I won’t be returning.”
— Dawnell Parry1.03 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (862) 666-9022 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquariums By JJ.