Walking into Beital's Aquariums in Pearl River, New York, feels less like entering a pet store and more like stepping into a private aquarium exhibition. Rows of meticulously maintained tanks house an impressive variety of both freshwater and saltwater fish, and multiple reviewers have noted the store could pass for a museum. The real engine behind the operation is Craig, the owner, whose encyclopedic fish knowledge and genuine passion for the hobby have earned him a fiercely loyal customer base across Rockland County and beyond.
What sets Beital's apart is the breadth of services that extend well beyond retail. The shop designs and builds custom tanks from scratch—ranging from personal 88-gallon setups to large commercial installations like the stunning display tank at Rayim that reportedly makes children smile every day they walk past it. Craig and his team handle full-service saltwater tank setups, walking customers through substrate selection, livestock compatibility, and ongoing maintenance.
One customer recounted how Craig personally managed the relocation of an entire saltwater aquarium from Monsey to White Plains, cleaning the tank, keeping everything alive, and leaving the apartment spotless. Pond work is another strong suit. The team handles seasonal pond openings and closings with the same professionalism they bring to indoor aquariums, and pond installations come with Craig's characteristic follow-up calls to make sure everything is running smoothly.
The shop also stocks aquatic plants, dry goods, and equipment like Aquatop filters, though some customers have noted pricing runs higher than online retailers. The honest critique: Craig carries much of the knowledge burden himself, and when he's busy bouncing between customers, wait times can stretch. Staff members like Gavin have drawn praise for their attentiveness, but the store would benefit from spreading expertise more evenly.
Still, for custom tank builds, professional installations, and pond services backed by real aquatic knowledge, Beital's delivers a level of personalized care that big-box stores simply cannot match.
Eatafrank
4 reviews
The store is cool but the owners just suck one doesn’t know anything about anything just sits in his chair nasty attitude when you call and the one who does know fish you’d be lucky if he’s ever in the shop at a decent time and even if he is he’s running around doesn’t look like he even wants to help you I can stand in the front of the store for 30 minutes and no one would ask if I need anything.
Austin Harmon
3 reviews
Craig was an awesome open book of knowledge with every question thrown at him. There live stock is magnificent, tanks are clean, fish are beautiful, staff was perfessional, and the dry inventory was well stocked! I will definitely be back and I recommend this great treasure trove to anyone! Thank you, Craig!
Garret Garofalo
30 reviews
Always the best options and knowledge.
Avraham Joseph Rosenfeld
23 reviews
Beautiful fish tank in rayim.
Phillip Bell
2 reviews
Great service plenty to choose from very friendly and very professional I even got a picture in the bosses chair
Ryan Ong
4 reviews
Got a tank for my partners father and was a great help.
Artem Lutsenko
18 reviews
Very cool store
Deb Steffanci
3 reviews
Gavin was an exceptional help. Very knowledgable and was on top of assisting us in every need. Great experience. They have a vast variety of fish, tanks and assesories.
Ronald Herman
3 reviews
Incredible inventory of tropical and salt water fish. Custom made tank I purchased was absolute top quality. Advice excellent on what fish can work. A+ all around.
Madler
12 reviews
I bought my first large saltwater aquarium from Craig about a year ago, and it’s what made me fall in love with the hobby. Since then, I’ve been a loyal customer. Craig is the kind of business owner who truly goes the extra mile. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely funny, honest, and just an all-around great person. I recently moved from Monsey to White Plains and was really stressed about relocating my aquarium. Craig and his team handled the entire move effortlessly while keeping everything alive and in perfect condition. They cleaned the tank, left my apartment spotless, and made sure everything was set up properly before they left. Craig had even taken the time days earlier to ensure everything was prepared for the move. I could go on and on about how amazing Craig and his team are. I’ll be a customer for life. Thank you, Craig!
Note: Store information and services may change. Always call (845) 735-2300 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Beital's Aquariums Sales, Services & Ponds.
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73 S Pearl St, Pearl River, NY 10965
February 7, 2026
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