About
Eddie's Aquarium Centre in Cohoes, New York has established itself as one of the Capital Region's go-to destinations for freshwater and saltwater hobbyists, drawing customers who appreciate its depth of selection and dedicated staff. The store stocks a wide variety of livestock—from Congo tetras and guppies to koi and saltwater species—alongside a notable collection of live aquatic plants that regulars describe as rare and carefully curated. The shop even carries carnivorous plants, an unexpected bonus that delights visitors with overlapping hobbies.
The retail space is thoughtfully organized, with display tanks showcasing blackwater setups, shrimp tanks, and saltwater arrangements that double as inspiration for customers planning their own builds. Hardscape rock, rimless tanks, filter replacement parts, a large selection of fish food, and medications round out the dry goods inventory. Staff members Eddie and John are frequently mentioned by name, praised for taking time to answer questions, test water, and offer tailored advice rather than generic recommendations.
The atmosphere inside leans more toward aquarium sanctuary than typical pet shop—peaceful, visually engaging, and clearly maintained by people who care about the craft. Long-time hobbyists with decades of experience have praised the store's consistency, while newcomers report leaving inspired to start their first tank. That said, prospective buyers should be aware that some customers have raised concerns about livestock health, particularly regarding quarantine practices.
Multiple reviewers recommend quarantining new fish at home before introducing them to established tanks—a sensible precaution with any retail fish purchase. Betta housing and Neocaridina shrimp pricing have also drawn occasional criticism. Despite those caveats, Eddie's earns its strong reputation through selection and service.
The combination of a well-stocked saltwater section, rare freshwater species, quality live plants, and genuinely engaged staff makes it a destination worth the drive for aquarists across upstate New York. Walk in for a bag of fish food; leave two hours later with a new vision for your next tank.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Extensive freshwater and saltwater livestock selection including Congo tetras, guppies, koi, and rare species
- Notable live plant collection including rare aquatic and carnivorous plants
- Inspiring display tanks featuring blackwater, shrimp, and saltwater setups
- Free water testing and personalized consultation from experienced staff
- Well-stocked dry goods including rimless tanks, hardscape rock, filter parts, foods, and medications
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Awesome selection and very knowledgeable staff”
— laura capurso5.04 days ago“Very knowledgeable regarding fish issues and supplies. Staff always friendly and kind to everyone.”
— Lindsey Dessingue5.0a week ago“This place should update their hours online. Planned a trip with my son. Got there at 453pm. Google says they close at 6pm so we thought we had plenty of time. Nope they close at 5pm on a Friday. We were followed around the store and each employee let us know the store was closed but we could take our time. After the 4th person my son n I felt uncomfortable and left. As we were leaving a guy was trying to come in bc he thought they were open till 6pm also. I am not so sure I'll be wasting my time to go there again.”
— Krystal Nates1.0a week ago“Great selection, nice staff.”
— Heather MacGregor4.02 weeks ago“⚠️⚠️ Buyer Beware – Public Warning for Eddie’s Aquarium Centre ⚠️⚠️ Some of the floor staff are polite and trying, and that deserves acknowledgment. Unfortunately, that is where professionalism ends. This store is unsafe for fish and misleading to customers—often delivered with a smug, “know-it-all” attitude that collapses under basic biological scrutiny. There is a persistent confidence coming from management that reads as authority but is actually incorrect information delivered loudly and unapologetically. That energy became unintentionally amusing when misinformation was confidently presented without realizing it was being given to someone with a professional background in marine biology. Unfortunately, that same misplaced confidence is deeply harmful to customers and livestock. This is not expertise. This is arrogance masquerading as knowledge. 🚩 False Authority & MAC Misinformation The owner repeatedly claims their fish are MAC certified. This is objectively false. • The Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) was a nonprofit certification body that ceased operations in 2008. It has been defunct for well over a decade. There is no such thing as current MAC certification. Claiming otherwise is either willful deception or a fundamental lack of industry knowledge—neither of which inspires trust. Invoking a dead organization to sound credible is not education. It is misrepresentation. 🐟 Livestock Health: A Pattern, Not a Coincidence Every fish I have received from this store has had Ich. Not once or twice—every single time. Fish are routinely housed together in biologically incompatible display tanks, misleading customers into believing those species can coexist. When customers replicate these setups at home and fish die, the response is not accountability—it is gaslighting, shifting blame onto the buyer rather than acknowledging poor guidance. This is not an accident. This is how the business operates. What makes this worse is the delivery: These false explanations are given with absolute certainty, as if questioning them would be ignorance—when in reality, the science is not on their side. 🐠 Ethics on Display (or Lack Thereof) Additional red flags: • Betta fish kept in tiny bowls without proper filtration or water changes • A one-eyed fish observed for sale at $500 • Poor-health rehomed fish sold near full retail • Plants priced at 5× wholesale, often carrying invasive snails Any aquarium business that treats animals this way has already shown you its priorities. ☆ Every fish life matters. Even bettas. ☆ ⚠️ Final Verdict If you care about: • Animal welfare • Accurate biological information • Ethical husbandry • Not being blamed for preventable losses ☆ Do not buy fish from this store. ☆ This store prioritizes confidence over competence, sales over science, and ego over education. If you value fish health, ethics, and truth—go elsewhere. Congrats to the owner for prioritizing profits and ego over living creatures lives.”
— Georgia Dematio1.03 weeks ago“Really helpful, and patient staff. I went here with my brother and left inspired to want a fish tank! They have everything you need with very reasonable prices.”
— Krystle Bryan5.03 weeks ago“They were very kind and got us what we needed and answered all of our questions.”
— Tyler5.0a month ago“Very helpful and knowledgeable staff”
— Jake Sartin5.02 months ago“Eddie's is a great place to get all your aquarium needs. They have a nice selection of both fresh and saltwater dwellers. They have some rare species as well and as an added bonus they sell my second hobby... Carnivorous Plants!! They tested my water, made suggestions and were very knowledgeable. I will definitely be visiting again!”
— Cindy Holmsten5.02 months ago“Very nice set up inside. Well taken care of plants and fish. Salt water section also looks great. Clearly the store is run by people who know what they are doing. Nicely organized system for when you want make a purchase or ask questions. Definitely coming back”
— jason rowe5.02 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (518) 783-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Eddie's Aquarium Centre.