They were great as a supplier of livestock and equipment, but the staff deceives in interesting ways when you need services. I hit some hard times and needed them to break down my aquarium of parts and livestock. I knew it was a favor...but I had asked if they could give me store credit for a future installation. After taking everything, they ghosted me. When I confronted them later -- just for the possible credit that I still wasn't ready to redeem -- they (Melissa) offered to CHARGE ME FOR STORAGE of the equipment they took from my home. Since I'm unlikely to get back into the hobby, unfortunately, I just gave up on it read more

Shipped me a severely sick dying anemone. Melissa said she would refund my money but they stopped responding after I emailed pictures as she instructed. Still did not receive a refund or any correspondence. Also they didn't ship when they said they would after I called to confirm they would. Would never buy online from this place again. read more

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The staff here is amazing - perfect representation of a local fish store. They are the only ones that carry UNS tanks, and i was surprised to find that they had a 20gallon pico in stock. I was setting that up as a second tank. And im amazed by the wealth of information they shared with me - from conversations about zelda games, to advice on AI prime and AI blade lighting. Im glad they are just a few blocks away from my place. Also these people genuinely care about their fish. The fish are super hardy and healthy , and one guy told me that he wasnt gonna sell me 'all but the largest' clown, because he was afraid that remaining one was going to be lonely. That shows how much they care! read more

We have a beloved but not well cared for fishpond in our backyard. The filter system was a real eyesore, and the pond had become pretty dirty. I'd been looking for someone to help keep the fish healthy and the pond clean and pretty for years so was happy to find Greg and Manhattan Aquariums online. Greg come out to do an assessment and scheduled a time for cleaning and filter beautification within a week. He's a total pleasure to work with and clearly knows and loves what he's doing, and the price was totally reasonable. Greg worked with the system we had and somehow relaid the stones we already had onsite so the filter is well hidden but accessible. We can now see the fish--and can't see the filter. Total wins on both counts. Thank you Greg and Manhattan Aquariums. We'll see you again in the fall. read more

Manhattan Aquariums - After--beautiful! - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

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"This aquarium store was truly a fantastic experience! The staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The store carries a wide range of products, and you can find everything related to the world of aquariums. I'll definitely be visiting again!" read more

Great little place.....so happy to find them. Nice, knowledgeable customer service and good inventory. Happy to support a local small business. read more

In short, Manhattan aquariums is the best fish store in Manhattan. They have average prices for the area, and nice displays. However, the staff can sometimes be ignorant and rude. The livestock can also sometimes fall short of expectations. read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

Salt water fish, coral, aquarium size tanks oh my! Found this hidden gem as i made my way out to javitz. What a treat. If you are a big salt water fish aficionado or looking to start up one i would say this is the place to go to as i havn't found anything else in manhattan very similar. A wide selection of coral and and salt water tropical fish. It can get pricey but the staff is knowledgeable to get you started. They have a huge tank in the front of the store which you can stare at and meditate with tranquility. read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Clown fish in anemone - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

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I have been a customer at Manhattan Aquariums for many years. Aside from their impressive selection of saltwater fish and coral, they also have an incredible freshwater section. While I would not say that customer service is at their forefront (an honest criticism), they certainly are armed with a team of highly knowledgeable and capable experts who can help you with anything from setting up your system, to curating your tank, to answering troubleshooting questions. I recently had an incredibly positive interaction with Justyna at M.A. She knew I had been eyeing a beautiful green and yellow mushroom for a while and when she had an opportunity to frag it, she saved me one! That's the kind of custom customer service I would love to see more of. That being said, Melissa and Mike are always there when you need some help. And the service team is top notch. Carlos and Mario are just a couple of my go-tos if I'm on vacation and need them to stop by to check on my tank. Grateful to the entire Manhattan Aquariums team. They've seen me through my entire reefing process. It's one of my greatest joys. read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Coral from MANHATTAN AQUARIUMS - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

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Needed otos for my freshwater tank. After a horrible experience with ordering fish online from live aquaria, I really wanted to get my fish locally. Luckily, Manhattan Aquariums as able to tell me when they'd have the otos I'm stock. I'm happy to report that the fish are healthy and doing well in my tank. I will be getting my fish from this place in the future. Glad they don't just sell saltwater fish/corals. read more

This is a solid LFS in Manhattan. Their fish are very healthy and priced accordingly. You may pay a bit more here than other places, but you can rest assured that the fish are in great shape. I recently bought some Otos here and they had been conditioned to accept algae wafers. They also had nice round bellies which is a great sign. I have also bought panda corys and sunset honey gouramis here. So far I haven't had any trouble with their fish. This place has some pretty good aquascaping tools. They have a variety of wood and rocks. I scaped my tank using spider wood and dragonstone from this place. According to employees Manhattan Aquariums is planning to convert the basement into a quarantine room. This will be really great for the fish and will allow them to properly treat newly shipped fish for parasites and disease that they could've picked up in transit. The staff here are super laid back and they dont seem to know a ton about freshwater fish because their focus is salt. The most important thing for me is that their fish are in good shape. read more

Love this place, staffs are so friendly, I had some issues with my salt water tank, they guided me and show me what I need and how to use it, amazing staffs!!!! Also great price for fish and corals as well. read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Thank you Manhattan Aquarium! - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

I must say this was the best thing next to sliced bread for me since starting my reef tank! To say the least, I was very misinformed when I started my reef tank. Two tank crashes within in a 3 month span(thank you Petco) and I was at wits end! Until I found Manhattan aquariums! They saved my sanity and my pockets! I cant say enough how great the staff is there and how knowledgeable they are! ( and patient, judging on how i ask a bazillion questions when i go there lol) if you own or want to start a saltwater or Reef Tank you must/NEED go to Manhattan aquariums! I now have a healthy tank with beautiful coral specimens that I admire every day of my life because of this place! I may be what you call a "regular" there, I just cant keep myself from visiting this place! They have healthy livestock and take excellent care of their marine life! DO NOT BUY FROM CORPORATE aka PETCO! doubt me? Just walk up to any corporate staff and ask them what an Acropora is... exactly... If you're into Aquariums and Corals go to Manhattan Aquariums! Heck just go there even if you don't have a tank, you may inspired to start one! You wont regret it! Manhattan Aquariums is #1! =) read more

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Took my children there, amazing experience. PS, theres a fish there with scoliosis, not sure if you've been informed, overall great though read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

Just walking it the first thing you notice is this big tank display filled with fishes that looks like an aquarium. There were many different kind of fishes in there and it looked like something you would see at an aquarium- it was wow! When walking more in you see that this place is very roomy but not as much fishes. They only hold topical fishes so they are pretty pricey and expensive. All the staff was busy and cleaning the tanks or whatnots. I also saw that they really take out whatever fishes that are dead or has problems. Which is good because compared to other places you see dead fishes in a tank and the other fishes would be eating it. (eww!!) So at least they know and take care of the fishes that are alive and make sure that they don't get sick from the dead fish. There are a few nice ones but not much to pick from. They also have a corner that has all the supplies for the fishes and even some freshwater things even if they don't sell freshwater fishes. read more

I wouldn't have gotten back into aquariums without these guys. I randomly came across their shop on a walk home from the Javits Center. Just being there made my love of saltwater aquariums flood back into my mind. I have a beautiful little nano reef in my small apartment and it is the joy of my life. The tank, the stand, the computer system, and almost all the life in the tank came from Manhattan Aquariums. I find myself seeking out excuses to stop in and I always leave with something, even when I tell me self I won't. read more

Gem of an aquirium store in the middle of Manhattan without the Manhattan prices. Awesome helpful staff, very honest didn't try to sell items that I didn't need. Will be going back read more

How does a reef store not carry live rock??? Fish looked ok, though expensive. But what's the point if you don't carry the essentials?

They're the only people who sell UNS tanks in the city and I thought it would be nice to support local businesses, but the staff isn't particularly nice or attentive and their selection is minimal. If Pacific Aquarium sold UNS tanks, I can't imagine I'd ever be here. Probably will buy future UNS tanks from Glass Aqua or another online retailer because there's really no reason to come back. read more

Don't order from here. Ordered online for delivery in the city. Accepted my order online but half the stuff was actually not in stock. Sent me replacement fish instead. The replacement fish came with a healthy dose of Marine Velvet. Wiped all my fish. I'm thinking of just giving up on this hobby. buyer beware. read more

Mike has been an understanding manager in facilitating issues I have had. I have to admit, this is the best saltwater fish store in Manhattan in terms of selection and quality of stock. If I ever need something urgently or require help in regards to my reef aquarium, I would definitely be going to them first before anyone else in the tri-state area. I initially misjudged this place because of some misunderstandings, and I am happy to say that I would do business again with this place from now on. read more

I'm like a kid in a candy store when I trek to Hell's Kitchen for some corals. Their specimens are healthy; a great variance of saltwater fish and corals. They have a selection of equipment, reef supplements and fish food that you'd expect from a fish store. The customer service here is top notch and very knowledgeable. If one member is unable to answer your question, rest assured they'll have another who can give you the guidance you need. FYI I remember when they had the sting ray touch tank and their miniature seahorse tank which left me in awe. I love this place! *They offer maintenance services for your tanks at home. They also sell RODI water, if your tapped out (no pun intended). Pro-tip: Call ahead and find out when their next livestock shipment comes in, that is if you want to cherry pick the brightest corals. They have beautiful acans, and you will not be disappointed. You may want to leave that credit card home or else you'll have some "splainin to do." read more

The selection of corals and salt water fish is amazing. However, I just bought 5 fish and 2 of them were dead when I arrived home. All because the lady that was working there was angry that I was keeping her there 10 min late. So first she gave me the wrong fish and charged me the price for the one she did not select. Second of all she was in such a hurry that she squished 2 of the other fish's fins and when I got them home they were belly up struggling with one fin. This place is really good and some of thr people that worker there are the best, but this lady is just bad. read more

This place is amazing-- best salt water fish store! It showcases a 400- 500 gallon circular tank with a wide variety of coral, fish, and clams. It's a beautiful tank and having a 360 degree view is quite breathtaking. My boyfriend says, "it's like a piece of the great barrier reef! " Although you can't buy anything from that particuliar tank, they sell alot of the same things in individual tanks. All the specimens there are incredibly healthy and the person who owns the store is a well-known marine biologist. I think he's made a few appearances on TV! I'm not a fish expert, but the store is very clean and the fishies look very happy to be there.... they aren't half dead like some of the other stores. Keep in mind they don't sell any fresh water fish. read more

I live on the east side, so I just have to walk a bit up to take the bus. Good: -nice selection of corals and fish and ITS IN MANHATTAN. -I have a yashahaze goby and a pistol shrimp that are still alive that I bought from them. Hurricane sandy killed my corals, but the fish and shrimp are still alive. Not as Good: -its a toss up depending on the quality of the service. Obviously they are nicer to you if you show interest in buying something. would I go back? sure why not. read more

It's so odd that the Yelp pin is incorrect, but the address is correct. MA is located on 37th between 10th and 11th. It is a great place for salt and fresh water aquarium hobbyists, but I'd say their collection of salt water equipment, fish, coral, anemones, etc. is much larger than their fresh water collection. I think they may be working to change that. The staff is very knowledgeable and you'll find each staffer actually has a tank at home and can provide useful tidbits for taking care of your aquarium at home. They have a small selection of tanks for starting your own tank, but I'm pretty sure they'd be able to custom order almost anything you'd like. Their return policy is a bit strict (testing your water, small window of time for returns, etc.) but I find that the staff is willing to work with you if something crazy happens to an aquarium mate that you buy, for no reason. I often find myself in MA just browsing and the staff (including Miss Piggy--the name I've given the chubby kitty cat lol) don't mind. I'd say the store is pricey but that's almost the case with everything relating to salt water aquariums. Definitely worth a visit. read more

I was looking for a local fish store that carries special lighting and exotic corals and fish and I finally found it! This store is absolutely amazing! The corals and fish were extremely healthy and the selection was vast! I was able to choose between various lighting and different types of advanced filtration. The staff treated me like a million bucks and they were very knowledgeable! They have the most amazing display tanks that will just leave you in awe with your mouth watering! It's definitely the most unique store I've seen in NYC! I am really happy with my visit today and I will be a loyal customer from now on! Thank you Manhattan Aquariums! read more

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Love this spot. It's worth the fact that it's a bit out of the way from where I live and work. Though the staff will generally ignore you at first, they are super knowledgeable and will spend the time to help you even if your purchase is small. Their freshwater selection is small, but enough to keep me satisfied. My first visit practically made my day. Morris helped me from start to finish and was amazing when it came to giving me advice on my tank and being patient with my annoying questions. My second visit was much less pleasant. I walked in super excited to be back, wasn't greeted, finally asked if someone could find a particular type of fish for me and was disappointed when a guy hastily went and just picked one out for me, handed it to me and never asked what kind, size etc I wanted. Still, my first experience was good enough that I'll just go back and ask for Morris and hope the other employees care a bit more next time. Seems like everyone has a similar problem here. read more

Great selection and quality of fish and corals, however they are pricey and service is sub-par. I'm willing to pay extra for quality and service, unfortunately their service has been less than stellar and worsening over the last couple of years. I walk in and feel like there's an "attitude". The staff looks like they are doing me a favor by being there. If I ask for any advice I swear I've heard a sigh on a few occasions, as if they are thinking "I don't have time for this". Recently I've met staff that are not knowledgable. That's not all bad as long as they try to get you an answer. Instead they seem to make up things and on top of it still make you feel like they are too important. I only continue to go there because they are close and because of their selection. I prefer Fauna where they are very friendly and welcoming, unfortunately their selection (fish in particular) is limited. read more

The staff seemed a bit grumpy at first, but I think this is due to the sheer number of people that stop in and treat this place as a free trip to an aquarium. They immediately opened up once I started speaking the magical language of "fishtankery" and I was truly impressed with their knowledge. The Amazing: + Freaking awesome selection of corals. + Great clam selection (that sounds a bit dodgy). + The fish looked very healthy. + They have LONG hours. The Average: o Decent selection of fish. o Not a ton of tank options, but it's not a huge shop. You can order anything. I wish I could have a tank in our current apartment, but unfortunately we'll have to wait until we move before I can invest in a decent reef tank. When that day comes, I'll be headed straight to Manhattan Aquariums for my fish, coral and inverts. read more

The Good: Clean, spacious, amazing coral selection, healthy fish, sparkling tanks. The Bad: Okay freshwater selection but nothing special. It is really far away from any train stations. The Ugly: The woman who helped me sold me two fish that are supposed to be in brackish water to put in my freshwater tank, along with a third fish that is supposed to be in very different conditions. She also sold me $15 vegetarian cichlid pellets, when the cichlids she sold me are carnivores. Note: They may have happily taken the two fish and the mis-matched fish food back, but the three are actually doing quite well in my tank, so I am going to wait and see. And I am willing to lose $15 not to have to take the hike back to them to return the food. read more

Sub par service, hit or miss knowledge. Selection is decent, prices are of course high, I mean it's an expensive hobby and it's in Manhattan. They only do delivery 9-5 M-F which is kind of annoying. Gorgeous display tanks. I have to give a shout out to (I think her name is) Hellie. She has platinum blonde hair and she is amazing. You can tell she is passionate and loves the hobby of reefkeeping. She's taken the time to walk me through so many dumb questions without being condescending. She's given me some really good recommendations and always taken the time to give me the truth and not just sell me stuff. Whether she has the most knowledge out of all the staff, I'm not sure, but she's certainly the best. read more

I was here last month visiting New York from out of town. This place has some of the best selection of fish and corals I've seen. Definitely THE place for everything aquarium. I'm a beginner hobbyist so I was very glad to see they have fresh water too. The shop girl Hellie was very helpful, she gave me some great advice for my future tank. They told me about their online store also where I can have livestock shipped to me via FedEx! Needless to say that was very exciting. The whole place felt like I was at an aquarium. I'm so glad I stopped by this place. Will definitely try to check this place out whenever I'm in the city. read more

The store is good overall, coral selection is decent but little pricey. They need to work on their customer service. The tall guy that works there either constantly on his cellphone texting or would be talking to one customer for like 30 min. While other poor ladies working there have to run around and help customers. Last time I went there waited 30 min to get assistance just to get one simple item on their shelf. I was coming here almost every week and spending tons of money. I felt no customer appreciation. I started going to different store now where every time I go they take care of me more. And most of their corals are over $30. Fish are regular price as everywhere else. read more

I wish I could give them 6 stars. Awesome selection of corals, decent prices, no pests, and a very friendly, helpful staff! Definitely going back for my next livestock purchase. read more

It's quite out of the way... so be warned before you make the trip - it's mostly for reefers and saltwater tanks. There are a few fresh water fish and plants here- but I seems their focus is on the saltwater varieties. read more

THE COLORS DUKE THE COOLLLOOORRRSSSS. i have been active in the Reef community since October and have been to quite a few LFS (Local Fish Stores); from chains to mom and pops. Manhattan Aquariums is my second favorite place to go, after Coral Theory. When you walk in, the first thing you see is the HUGE Display aquarium . that's when you realize, that these folks don't just sell fish, tanks and supply's, but this is also their hobby. they love these creatures. Past the first display is the dark furniture room LOL. its full of empty tanks stands and canopy's for sale (please put some lights here its always dark) Passed that is the meat of the store. they have a small African Cichlid collection (mostly the commons Lake Malawi [think peacocks and Mbuna] as well as New World [Jaguars, Oscars, Rams]) they have good prices, for Manhattan that is, and a HUGE selections. 3 big frag tanks with all kinds of goodies from zoas to softies to LPS and even SPS. this is the only place i have been able to find pistol shrimps btw! The workers wont come to you, so go to them. they will talk to you as people not as sales man. some may be a little condescending if your a newbie but don't let that bother you. they have good advise and have very healthy stock. come here. you wont be disappointed. read more

These guys have immaculate tanks and are very knowledgeable. They carry live copepods and other items that tend to be in short supply at other places. The only reason why I deduct a star is because they are very expensive. I realize that they have the added expense of being in Manhattan and that to keep things running properly is a lot of work. But prices on livestock are sometimes double their competitors. You can certainly find the ocassional deal and some things are worth paying a premium for. read more

Love this store!! For a Sea Hare for a hair algae problem and it went to town. Couldn't be happier!!! Thank you guys!! read more

Manhattan Aquariums - Display tank at Manhattan Aquariums! - Aquarium Services Near Me - Queens, New York

This is in reference to the freshwater section. It's hit or miss. They sometimes have great, healthy stock, sometimes very much not. Same with the service, a few of them are very friendly / helpful, some of them are very much not. Sometimes they have some hard-to-find species, other times it's basically just Petsmart. When I was there this week the freshwater stock looked pretty beat-up, lots of fin rot, ich etc. The plants looked ok, nothing special. Like others have mentioned, it's expensive. They seem to be more focused on saltwater / reef. read more