Fluid Dynamics in Deer Park, New York, has earned a devoted following across Long Island for a simple reason: the fish are healthy, the tanks are immaculate, and the people behind the counter genuinely love what they do. Owner Jared and staff members like Brian, Tyler, John, and Cory have built something that feels less like a pet store and more like a proper aquarist's workshop — one where every tank gleams and the livestock is sourced with care, including hard-to-find species imported from European breeders known for sustainable practices.
The freshwater selection alone is worth the trip. Reviewers rave about rare nano fish, large Frontosas priced under $100, beautiful African cichlids unavailable elsewhere on Long Island, Bolivian Rams, bristlenose plecos, and quality shrimp. The saltwater side is equally compelling — one customer picked up a tomato clownfish at a fair price, and the store's reef expertise has rescued at least one 800-gallon saltwater tank that other companies couldn't get right. Coral enthusiasts and planted-tank hobbyists will find beautifully scaped display tanks and fully submerged, healthy aquatic plants — a detail that experienced aquarists notice and appreciate.
Beyond retail, Fluid Dynamics operates as a full-service aquarium company. They fabricate custom tanks, maintain residential and commercial systems, and offer the kind of unhurried consultation that big-box stores simply can't match. Multiple reviewers describe walking in with questions and leaving with what felt like a free masterclass — staff will even disassemble a working filter to demonstrate its features.
The store itself is clean and well-organized, with crystal-clear tanks and an atmosphere that invites browsing. Prices are consistently described as fair to surprisingly good. For Long Island aquarists — whether they're setting up a first freshwater tank or troubleshooting a mature reef system — Fluid Dynamics has become the local fish store that others get measured against.
Tucked into a compact space in Commack, New York, Island Fish and Scale has built a reputation as one of Long Island's premier saltwater and reef aquarium destinations. Run by Ryan and Jay, this shop punches well above its square footage — reviewers consistently describe walls packed with vibrant, healthy corals (including TJM corals carried on-site) and conditioned reef fish that have been quarantined and copper-treated for weeks before sale.
The coral selection alone draws hobbyists from across the island. Multiple customers call it the best coral shop on Long Island, and the livestock quality reflects a team obsessed with animal welfare. Every fish goes through a proper quarantine protocol before it reaches a customer's tank, a practice that sets Island Fish and Scale apart from shops that rush stock to the sales floor.
But what truly defines this operation is the service side. Ryan and his crew handle full aquarium installations, breakdowns, relocations, and ongoing maintenance with meticulous attention to detail. One customer described a 60-gallon cube reef move involving a full Apex controller setup with dosers and automation — Ryan's team reconnected every cable and piece of equipment exactly as it had been, leaving no mess behind. Another recounted Ryan showing up at 7 PM on a Saturday to fix a plumbing issue on a new reef tank setup. Emergency calls, short-notice tank moves, and after-hours support come up repeatedly in reviews.
The store also serves as a genuine consultation resource. Staff take time with newcomers exploring their first saltwater setup, walking through equipment options, system design, and stocking plans without pressure. Longtime hobbyists praise Ryan's depth of knowledge as among the best they've encountered.
For anyone on Long Island building or maintaining a reef aquarium, Island Fish and Scale delivers the rare combination of exceptional coral stock, rigorously quarantined fish, and a service team that treats every tank like their own.
Machias Outdoors in South Wales, New York is primarily a sporting goods and outdoor recreation store — covering firearms, archery, hunting, and camping — but it also serves the local freshwater fishing community with live bait, tackle, and fishing gear. Reviews consistently praise the knowledgeable staff who can speak to specific fishing needs and refer customers to the right team member for expert advice. The store stocks a range of bait and tackle alongside boots, clothing, electronics, trapping supplies, and archery equipment, making it a one-stop destination for anyone heading out to the creeks, ponds, and farm country of Erie County.
Customers highlight the store's clean, well-organized layout and note that it carries brands you won't always find at big-box retailers like Cabela's, sometimes at better prices. Staff member Mike gets called out by name multiple times — once for bow repair and sighting, another for a firearms sale — reflecting the kind of personalized, small-business attention that keeps people driving back. One reviewer recounted how the owner stayed after closing to resolve a purchase issue, even calling the customer back to save them a return trip.
For anglers in the South Wales and Machias area, the live bait selection and tackle inventory make this a practical stop before hitting local freshwater spots. The store operates multiple locations, so if the South Wales shop doesn't have what you need, the Machias flagship likely will. While this isn't a dedicated aquarium or fish store, it earns its place in the fishing community through reliable gear, competitive pricing on consumables, and a staff that genuinely knows the outdoors. If you're gearing up for a day on Western New York's lakes and streams, Machias Outdoors delivers the essentials with a personal touch that big retailers can't match.
Aquatic Haven in Fulton, New York, is the kind of local fish store that inspires loyalty — the kind where customers drive two hours each way and families stop in weekly just to see what's new. Owned and operated by Darrick and Amy, the shop has built a devoted following across central New York with its outstanding freshwater selection, clean saltwater tanks, and a genuine commitment to animal welfare that shows in every detail.
The freshwater inventory is the main draw, and reviewers call it the best selection in the region. Expect to find everything from blood parrots and crystal parrots to elephant nose fish, bichirs, blue phantom plecos, and L200 plecos — the kind of uncommon species that make hobbyists giddy. Their betta section stands out for a notable reason: no cups. Every betta is housed in proper tank space, a detail customers repeatedly praise. Shrimp, snails, and axolotl supplies round out the invertebrate side, and the saltwater section stocks fish and inverts, though corals are not currently carried.
Live plants and aquascaping materials are well-stocked, and the store carries an impressive variety of fish food that reviewers say can't be matched anywhere else in the area. New and used equipment lines the shelves, making it accessible for hobbyists at every budget level. Darrick is regularly singled out by name for his deep knowledge — he's the kind of owner who will walk you through a full tank setup on the spot, test your water when something goes wrong, and tell you honestly what not to do before you even ask.
One story captures the spirit of the place perfectly: when a child's betta passed shortly after Christmas, Darrick tested the family's water, answered every question patiently, and then gifted the boy a new fish. That's not a business strategy — it's character. The store also offers trade-ins and store credit for unwanted fish, tanks, and accessories, creating a community exchange that keeps hobbyists coming back.
Aquatic Haven is a destination store that earns every one of its five stars through healthy livestock, honest expertise, and uncommon kindness.
Tucked into Webster, New York, Luv A Lotl Axolotl/Reptile Boutique is a passion project turned storefront, built on owners Tammy and Kenny's deep expertise in axolotl care. Before they ever had a brick-and-mortar location, the duo was already connecting with customers at expos like Rexpo and the Salt City Reptile Expo in Syracuse, earning a loyal following across the Rochester area for their healthy, high-quality axolotls.
The shop itself is packed with interesting tanks housing axolotls of various morphs alongside reptiles like bearded dragons and snakes. But what truly sets Luv A Lotl apart is the education-first approach. Tammy — affectionately called "the Axolotl Whisperer" by one customer — has been known to spend nearly an hour walking newcomers through care commitments, tank cycling, and feeding routines, even when they're upfront about not buying that day. One reviewer recounted how Tammy told them to forget everything they'd read online and trust her guidance — and within a day, their new axolotl was happy, healthy, and social.
The care doesn't end at the register. Tammy and Kenny remain available long after purchase, fielding questions about animals they sold and even ones they didn't. When one customer's axolotl developed an infection, Tammy personally guided them through treatment and provided updates. They also offer axolotl boarding for vacationers and will pre-cycle tanks so new owners can bring their pet home safely from day one. For out-of-town customers, they ship overnight — one reviewer reported their baby arrived healthy and eating shortly after arrival.
Beyond retail, the shop hosts birthday parties and camps where kids can hold and feed bearded dragons, learn about reptile care, and interact with the animals hands-on. It's a genuinely community-minded operation. If you're anywhere near Rochester and considering your first axolotl, this is the place to start — and the people to learn from.
Pristine Marine Aquariums in Mineola, New York has carved out a remarkable niche in the saltwater world: Australian live rock. Owner Jason sources directly from a diver with access to wild-caught, ancient reef rock straight from Australian waters — not aquacultured farm rock, not man-made ceramic. The distinction matters, and his customers know it. Shipments arrive wet, smelling like the ocean, encrusted in bright pink coralline algae and macro, with a porosity and density that reviewers say far exceeds what's typically available stateside pound for pound.
What sets the buying experience apart is Jason's personal touch. He offers live video feeds so customers can hand-pick their pieces before shipping, sends unprompted photos of what's being packed, and communicates timelines with precision. Orders arrive expertly packaged — one customer in Florida received 30 pounds that showed up full of life and color. Beyond rock, Jason stocks colorful rock flower anemones, Australian biscuit starfish, non-photosynthetic gorgonians, and hand-selected coral assortments. One buyer noted their corals opened up quickly after acclimation, and Jason threw in a free sea fan.
But Pristine Marine isn't just an online rock supplier. Jason has been servicing reef tanks on Long Island for nearly a decade, and his maintenance clients rave about consistently clean, flourishing systems. When one customer's return pump failed, Jason arrived within an hour for an emergency repair and had the tank saved in five minutes. That kind of responsiveness builds the loyalty that's evident across every review.
This is a saltwater-only operation — Jason will honestly tell freshwater hobbyists so and even recommend other local shops. That focus is exactly what makes Pristine Marine exceptional. If you're building or maintaining a reef tank and want rock that's genuinely wild-harvested, livestock that arrives healthy, and a vendor who treats every order like it matters, Jason has earned that trust piece by piece.
Tucked away in Albany, New York, CapitalCorals Research & Restoration has quietly become the capital region's go-to destination for reef enthusiasts chasing quality coral at fair prices. This isn't your typical pet store — it's a coral-focused facility with a research and restoration mission, where college students study coral behavior and the passion of the operation is palpable the moment you walk in.
The selection here is staggering. Reviewers consistently call it the largest coral collection in the area, with frags and colonies spanning beginner-friendly softies like GSP, Kenya tree, and xenia to rarer specimens that will catch the eye of seasoned reef keepers. The display tanks alone are worth the trip — multiple customers have driven over an hour just to browse, and several say they could spend hours taking it all in.
Michael, known affectionately as "Doc" by regulars, runs the operation with obvious devotion. He's the kind of owner who will come to the store on short notice to help customers, spend real time walking newcomers through their first coral purchase, and offer frank advice on tank issues. First-time buyers describe feeling genuinely guided rather than sold to, and repeat customers speak about him like a trusted friend in the hobby.
CapitalCorals also ships orders, and the mail-order experience mirrors the in-store quality. Customers report receiving healthy frags that are larger than expected, often with a surprise freebie tucked into the box. The pricing draws consistent praise — affordable enough that people choose it over online retailers, with the added benefit of seeing specimens in person.
Oh, and there are dogs wandering the shop, which only adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
For anyone in upstate New York maintaining a saltwater reef tank, this place fills a niche that the region has long needed — a dedicated coral shop with deep knowledge, honest pricing, and a genuine conservation ethos behind the glass.
Dynamic Tank Design in Freeport, New York, is a saltwater-focused aquarium service company run by Marc, whose name comes up in nearly every review with a kind of reverence usually reserved for the best reef keepers in the hobby. This isn't your typical fish store with rows of display tanks — it's a specialized operation built around tank setup, maintenance, and especially Neptune Apex system programming, which has become something of a signature offering.
Marc's expertise with the Apex ecosystem is a recurring theme. Multiple clients credit him with remotely configuring their Apex controllers, troubleshooting Trident water analysis units, and writing custom code that stabilized alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium levels — leading to what one customer described as "explosive SPS growth." He's handled everything from emergency plumbing repairs on saltwater systems to full Vortec pump installations conducted over Zoom calls, serving clients not just on Long Island but several states away.
The service model is distinctly relationship-driven. One customer has relied on Marc for a decade. Another describes him responding immediately to an equipment failure while they were on vacation, preventing livestock loss. A client with a 210-gallon mixed reef tank called him in a panic before a trip when their Trident went down — Marc had the replacement unit running in short order. Carlos, another team member, earned praise for helping a hobbyist finally defeat green hair algae with patient, detailed reef-keeping guidance.
Beyond maintenance, Dynamic Tank Design sells equipment and sources hard-to-find gear, sometimes connecting with hobbyists through Facebook groups. One Tennessee-based customer initially skeptical of a long-distance purchase ended up returning repeatedly after Marc provided serial numbers, photos, and genuine transparency. The company also handles large-scale physical work — two guys moved a 200-gallon tank into a basement in two hours.
For reef hobbyists who want serious technical support and someone who will answer the phone during a crisis, Dynamic Tank Design delivers.
Tucked away on City Island in the Bronx, City Island Aquarium Tropical Fish Sales is the kind of neighborhood fish shop that feels like stepping back in time — in the best possible way. Owner Rob runs an old-school operation where every tank is meticulously maintained and the livestock is genuinely healthy. Multiple reviewers note that fish and invertebrates purchased here thrive at home, a testament to Rob's care behind the scenes.
The selection punches well above what you'd expect from a small storefront. Rob stocks both freshwater and saltwater species, with reviewers spotting everything from pike cichlids and puffers to cherry shrimp, bettas, mudskippers, frogs, and snails. One customer described a reef and tropical collection that rivals shops across the five boroughs, while another was simply "shocked" by the breadth of inventory. If Rob doesn't have what you're looking for, reviewers say he'll personally source it for you.
Live plants are part of the equation too. Rob keeps his bettas in planted setups with plenty of space — a detail that speaks volumes about his philosophy. He's been known to hand customers stem plant cuttings and free duckweed to help their animals settle during transport. That generosity comes up again and again in reviews: reasonable prices, honest advice, and a willingness to spend real time explaining care requirements to anyone who asks.
One particularly telling review comes from a fishkeeper who had repeated failures with freshwater shrimp purchased from big-box stores. After buying cherry shrimp from Rob, every single one survived. That's not luck — that's proper quarantine, stable water parameters, and healthy stock from the start.
For Bronx residents and City Island locals who've long had to trek elsewhere for quality aquarium livestock, Rob's shop fills a real gap. The prices are fair, the fish are healthy, and the owner treats every customer like a fellow hobbyist. It's the kind of place you walk into for one fish and leave planning your next tank.
Pacific Aquarium & Plant has been a fixture in downtown Manhattan for over 40 years, and stepping inside feels less like visiting a pet store and more like walking through a miniature public aquarium. The displays are genuinely stunning — tanks teeming with healthy fish, lush live plants, and not a single floater in sight. In a city where most people default to big box retailers, this place stands as proof that an independent local fish store can thrive on expertise and genuine care.
The stock leans heavily freshwater, with a thoughtful selection that includes plump goldfish one reviewer compared to 'little puppies,' bettas housed in proper glass enclosures rather than the dreaded plastic cups, and a solid shrimp collection featuring amano and cherry varieties alongside mystery snails. There's also a saltwater section with fish and supplies for reef keepers, making it a well-rounded stop for New York aquarists across disciplines.
What really sets Pacific Aquarium apart is the level of service. Staff will walk you through an entire tank setup with undivided attention, answering every question with patience and real knowledge — the kind that comes from decades in the trade, not a quick training manual. They also maintain a dedicated hardscape design station where customers can experiment with rock and wood layouts before committing, a thoughtful touch that speaks to the store's aquascaping sensibility.
The live plant selection is healthy and varied, and the store carries the accessories and supplies needed to keep everything thriving at home. Multiple reviewers describe this place as an institution, and the loyalty it inspires is earned. If you're keeping a tank anywhere in Manhattan — or are willing to make the trip — Pacific Aquarium & Plant delivers the kind of hands-on, knowledgeable experience that makes the hobby genuinely enjoyable.
