About
South Shore Tropicals in Lindenhurst, New York is a family-run shop that has quietly built a loyal following on Long Island's south shore. Walk in and the first thing you notice is how clean the tanks are — not just presentable, but meticulously maintained, a sign that owners Anthony and James genuinely care about the animals in their charge. The freshwater selection is where this store really shines.
Regulars come back for angelfish, arowanas, and red devil cichlids, and the betta display is impressive enough that one customer walked in planning to buy one and left with a female koi betta and five assorted neocaridina shrimp instead. The staff will literally pull up a stool so you can get a better look at tiny shrimp in their tanks — that kind of personal attention defines the South Shore Tropicals experience. On the saltwater side, the store stocks multiple tanks of clownfish spanning different species, and the team will walk you through differences in temperament and hardiness before you buy.
They recently opened a fresh box of dry rock so a customer could hand-pick pieces for a reef tank restart. While the saltwater fish inventory could be broader, the quality and care behind what they do carry is evident. Beyond fish, the store stocks an extensive range of aquarium equipment, frozen foods, rocks, and supplies for both freshwater and saltwater setups.
They also carry birds, reptiles, and small animals, making it a true neighborhood pet shop rather than a fish-only boutique. Parrot owners and dog owners alike have found this a reliable one-stop destination for years. Pricing is consistently praised as fair, and the staff's knowledge runs deep without any trace of pretension.
Anthony and James have cultivated something increasingly rare — a local fish store where the people behind the counter remember your name, know your tank, and genuinely want your animals to thrive. Customers drive well past closer alternatives to shop here, and many have been doing so since before the pandemic. That kind of loyalty says everything.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- BettasShrimpClownfishAngelfishArowanasCichlidsLive PlantsDry GoodsAquarium EquipmentFish FoodInvertebrates
- Services
- Consultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run shop with meticulously clean, well-maintained tanks
- Multiple clownfish varieties across five dedicated saltwater tanks
- Strong betta and neocaridina shrimp selection with hands-on help
- Freshwater staples including angelfish, arowanas, and cichlids
- Knowledgeable owners Anthony and James known for honest, personal service
From keepers
Customer reviews
“The fish is delicious”
— JOE HERMANSEN5.03 days ago“I think this is my new Go-To fish spot. The team was very helpful. I needed to pick out dry rocks first my restarted saltwater tank. They opened a brand new box and let me go through them. I went to get Clown fish, they have 5 different tanks with different type of clowns. One of the guys came over and told me the differences in temperament and “hardiness” of the fish. He also helped me with in getting “drip aclimator”. I just wish they had more saltwater fish to choose from. Even still, I would definitely recommend for both newbies and pros alike.”
— Steve Toomey4.02 weeks ago“South Shore Tropicals is a remarkably well-maintained establishment. Their fish tanks are meticulously cared for and house a vibrant selection of healthy fish and plants. They offer an extensive array of equipment and products to cater to all your aquatic needs, whether for saltwater or freshwater environments. Additionally, they provide a variety of small animals, reptiles, and birds. The staff is consistently helpful and possesses a wealth of knowledge. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit and considering them for your future purchases.”
— A O5.03 weeks ago“I just came in today to buy a betta and some neocaridina shrimp. Extremely nice. He even gave me a stool to look at the shrimp 😊. I walked out with a female koi and 5 assorted neocaridina shrimp. Extremely pleased, and I am acclimating my new friends currently. I loved the assortment of bettas they had, and all of the tanks were really clean. It really seems like the owners care a lot about their animals”
— DesiSill145.02 months ago“I’ve been going since pre pandemic. I love to support local family owned places and this is the goods…. I get the best angel fish; arrowana ; red devil ciclids; rocks supplies frozen food all here. I love this place . Bryan salamone”
— teamsalamone5.03 months ago“Excellent pet store. I've been going here for many years to pick up supplies for our aquarium, fresh and salt water, our parrot and our dog. They always have what I need. The staff service is excellent, there's always someone available to help you and answer questions. This will always be my go-to pet store even though I don't live close and have to travel to get there.”
— Eric Ackerman5.03 months ago“Exceptional help, knowledgeable staff, great prices and easy to find location make this place a staple!”
— Nick Filippi5.04 months ago“My go to fish store. Anthony and James are the nicest people to deal with. They are very up front and honest people. They have a lot of different styles and variety’s of fresh water fish and tropical fish. If you haven’t been there you should definitely go.”
— Anthony Pilo5.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (631) 225-6794 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting South Shore Tropicals.