Fishtopia

Tucked into a Staten Island neighborhood, Fishtopia is the kind of local pet store that earns its reputation one customer at a time. Run by Theresa and a small, dedicated team, this mom-and-pop shop has built a loyal following among aquarists across the borough — and even draws people from well outside the immediate area. The heart of Fishtopia is its fish room.

The store stocks primarily freshwater species, with healthy African cichlids (including impressive 4-inch Mbunas), goldfish, and a rotating selection of unique and harder-to-find species. Saltwater hobbyists will also find supplies and stock worth the trip. Every tank in the store is clean and well-maintained, a detail customers notice and appreciate.

If something isn't in stock, the staff will special order it — multiple reviewers confirm they've had specific fish sourced on request. Beyond fish, Fishtopia carries a solid range of aquarium equipment, decorations, foods, and water care products. One customer raved about a staff-recommended water clarifier that fixed a cloudy tank in 30 minutes flat.

The store also caters to reptile keepers with live feeders, supplies for bearded dragons and tortoises, and even hatches baby lizards in the back. Birds and small animals round out the menagerie. What sets Fishtopia apart from the big-box pet chains is the personal attention.

Staff members take time to answer questions — even over the phone for a sick goldfish — offer honest compatibility advice for community tanks, and patiently engage with kids exploring the store. They gave one moving family free bags and relocation tips for their fish. This isn't a store that pushes products; it's one that builds relationships.

For Staten Island aquarists tired of impersonal corporate stores staffed by disinterested employees, Fishtopia delivers real expertise, fair prices, and a genuinely warm atmosphere. The clean tanks and healthy animals speak for themselves.