About
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.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Fish quarantined and copper-treated for weeks before sale
- TJM corals available on-site with extensive coral inventory
- Full aquarium relocation service including complex Apex controller setups
- After-hours and emergency support from owner Ryan
- Widely regarded as Long Island's top saltwater and reef shop
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Island Fish & Scale has been installing, moving, and caring for my aquariums for over 9 years, and I genuinely wouldn’t trust anyone else. Ryan and his team treat every aquarium, not just as a system, but as a living ecosystem with real lives inside it. From day-to-day fish care to the incredible attention they take during breakdowns, moves, and re-installs, their level of care is unmatched. They handle each fish with patience, respect, and expertise. You can tell immediately that animal welfare comes first. These aren’t just “fish” to them, they’re pets, just underwater ones, and that mindset makes all the difference. They’ve also been there during urgent and unexpected situations, responding quickly and calmly when it mattered most. Knowing you have a team you can rely on in an emergency brings an incredible amount of peace of mind. Beyond their knowledge, the team is professional, calm, meticulous, and deeply thoughtful in how they work. They explain what they’re doing, anticipate issues before they happen, and always leave things better than they found them. The tanks look beautiful, the fish are healthy and stress-free, and the entire process is handled with so much care. I’m constantly impressed and beyond grateful for the service, dedication, and heart they bring to their work. If you’re looking for true experts who care as much about your animals as you do, Island Fish & Scale is it. Highly, highly recommend.”
— Kinza Kasher5.0a month ago“Very friendly and open to help newbies..Great operation.”
— David Mallon5.03 months ago“The best coral shop on the island. Knowledgeable on a different level. Excellent prices and tons in stock.”
— Jason A5.04 months ago“These guys are awesome!”
— Meghan Rooney5.04 months ago“Really nice and helpful place. I would recommend to go!!”
— Angelina Edwards5.05 months ago“Great selection of fish and coral, and the guys there are so helpful. Perfect for saltwater beginners or experts!”
— Brandon Koebel5.05 months ago“Island Fish and Scale is by far the best saltwater aquarium store on Long Island. Their customer service is second to none. I am setting up a new reef tank and opted to go with island fish and scale. Ryan took the time to give me many options and come up with a system that fits my needs, but the service didnt stop there. I had a problem with the plumbing (which I caused by my mistake) he met me at 7pm on Saturday well after the store was closed and fixed my plumbing so I could continue setting up the tank. No other store is going to give that level of customer service.”
— Chris Nastasi5.05 months ago“Best place for salt water or reef aquariums on long island”
— Matthew Wieder5.0Edited 9 months ago“Amazing worth every penny and very knowledgeable”
— Giovanni Castronovo5.0Edited 9 months ago“Crazy nice coral.”
— Robert Torres5.010 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (516) 330-0132 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Island Fish and Scale.