Underground Aquaticz

Tucked away in West Babylon, New York, Underground Aquaticz has built a devoted following among freshwater enthusiasts across the country — and for good reason. Owner Chris runs a tight operation where every tank is immaculately maintained, and the livestock selection reads like a wish list for serious hobbyists. From jewel pike cichlids and arowanas to Congo spotted pufferfish, pinktail chalceus, and an impressive roster of L-number plecos, this is the kind of store where collectors find species they've been hunting for years.

The breadth of inventory is genuinely staggering for a small independent shop. African cichlids, discus, rope fish, Oscars, angelfish, and an array of freshwater shrimp share space alongside healthy aquatic plants, hardscape rocks, and driftwood. One pleco collector with over 70 fancy L-numbers in their collection found varieties here they didn't already own — that alone speaks volumes about the depth of Chris's sourcing.

What sets Underground Aquaticz apart is the combination of rare stock with genuine accessibility. Beginner-friendly fish sit alongside advanced species, and the pricing is consistently praised as fair, especially considering the rarity of what's available. Chris and manager Chris (the team keeps it personal) are hands-on, knowledgeable, and refreshingly transparent — they'll tell you what you should and shouldn't get based on your setup.

The online and shipping operation deserves special mention. Customers from as far as Idaho report fish arriving healthy after cross-country journeys, with packaging that outperforms competitors. Chris stays in contact throughout the process, texting updates and working through any weather-related delays.

One customer noted he reached out proactively to offer adding more fish to a box to maximize shipping value — a small gesture that builds real loyalty. The store also accepts rehomed fish; one customer drove 40 minutes to surrender a foot-long common pleco after ten other stores turned them away. Underground Aquaticz is the kind of freshwater specialist that Long Island enthusiasts drive out of their way to visit, and out-of-state hobbyists bookmark for their next online order.