Want to dive into creating your own aquarium? The nearest pet shop may be a dubious place to start.
Many pet stores deal in fish caught in the wild using cyanide, while others sell neglected, parasite-laden tanks and aquatic plants injected with appearance-enhancing chemicals.
But these four are among the reliable outlets that have diverse products as well as knowledgeable and passionate staffers.
Pacific Aquarium
46 Delancey St., 212-995-5895
The fish nerds working at the Lower East Side’s Pacific Aquarium are eager to educate and inform budding hobbyists and long-timers alike. Stop in for healthy and rare fish, a beautiful selection of driftwood decor, or simply to admire any of the store’s Zen-like display tanks.
Absolutely Fish
1080 US-46, Clifton, NJ, 973-365-0200
With a a staff of 35 well-trained employees, this store houses around 8,000 gallons of water in a 5,000-square-foot space. Absolutely Fish is regarded as one of the best aquarium shops in the country — particularly for creepy-crawlies like sea cucumbers and urchins.
World Class Aquarium
2015 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, 718-258-0653
Celebrated for its selection of African cichlids, World Class Aquarium also offers unique marine reef setups, a colorful array of fancy betta fish, and large, tank-busting catfish — ever so trendy at the moment. Not into fish? World Class also sells unique reptiles and hand-fed baby parrots.
Monster Aquarium
131-08 40th Road, Flushing, Queens, 347-732-0373
The borough’s tropical fish destination shop offers a wide selection of freshwater and marine critters and aquatic flora, from invertebrates like crabs and shrimp to an entire basement level dedicated to the popular discus fish. It caters to all aquarists, from beginner to expert.