Agree with the below review. From the location and looks on the outside, this store doesn't look like "all that". But when you walk inside, and speak to Ryan and Bob, you appreciate the hidden gem. the prices are incredible, and livestock is great. I would not hesitate to buy anything from this store. I travel 45 minutes alone to go up there and buy live stock. Much better than House of fins and Westport Aquarium by a long shot Update on 11/04/2014 To add to my previous raving review about Exotic Fish and Coral, I recently decided to upgrade my 105g reef to a 180g. I trust no one with my beloved tank, but decided that for me to do the installation and transfer myself, it would be too much stress, so I figured why not trust the one and only, Bob from Exotic Fish and Corals. I cannot emphasize enough how amazed I am by the work Bob did with my tank, which is why im taking the time to add on to my already positive previous review. When bob said he "wanted to make this(new tank) perfect and meticulous, and would treat my precious fish and corals like his own", I didn't think anything of it. My expectations and standards were set in my mind, and I didn't truthfully think they could be met by anyone other than myself. From beginning to end, Bob blew me away. From breaking down my old tank, to new aquascape in the new tank, to plumbing, to every detail being perfect, Bob nailed it all. He did the impossible... he won my trust with my fish tank (like i said earlier, I trust no one with my reef) and he surpassed any expectations and vision I had. Using my preexisting live rock, Bob turned an empty fish tank into a masterpiece in my living room. He meticulously placed every rock, and best of all, the aquascape has ZERO epoxy or glue holding it, it's a natural work of art. The structure is amazing, and I can tell by the way bob jiggled the rocks that they aren't tumbling any time soon. He was able to build cave within tunnel within cave, while maintaining the beautiful middle island look I wanted (I can provide pictures!!). Aside from the epic transfer, I also wanted to add the amazing livestock Bob gets into the shop. If you ever want something simple, to exotic, whether it's coral or fish this store is the place for you. Bob is a hidden gem, full of knowledge. The four hours we spent transferring my tank, I can't explain how much I learned from him. He's a walking marine life book. Needless to say, Bob has won my business forever. I refuse to ever order or shop from any other store if it's not Exotic Fish and Corals. From the great quality and affordable prices of live stock, to the friendliness of Justin and Ryan (two managers / sales reps), to Bob's knowledge, passion and amazing aquascape skills, this store is truly a hidden gem that every reefer should go explore. read more

Bob was nice in the beginning . I needed a to change something around because they weren't working out . Always busy sent to voice mail or some other excuse's . Had to have a real company come in and fix all the work of course my credit card company sided with him . GO to Normal Aquatics they know what they are doing .Dont get scammed by coming here. And Baez isn't an engineer he is a hobbyist. The More you know . read more

Awesome experience all around. Picked up a pair of stubby clownfish and they're absolutely amazing healthy, active, and clearly well cared for. The store itself is super clean and well set up, with a great selection and a vibrant atmosphere. Bob was super knowledgeable and easy to talk to, which made the whole visit even better. Couldn't resist leaving with two sexy shrimp as well, both acclimated great and look amazing. Definitely a shop I'll be coming back to. Highly recommend! read more

Employees were super nice to me and my friend, were super knowledgeable. They turned off some of the tanks wave makers so that my friend could enjoy the looking at the coral while i shopped. Many different species of fish and coral. Overall enjoyed my experience here would recommend. read more

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I have been on again off again customer of Bobs for at least 15 years at his former and current location in Milford, but never seemed to have any luck keeping the livestock I bought from him alive for the long term, always figured it was something I did in error in the hobby that was the issue even though my tank levels were normal most of the time. So I stopped going for a time and it seems, maybe just luck I had better experiences with other stores keeping stuff alive (I have 3 clown fish I bought from a big box pet store that are over 10 years old now) and I have been reefing hobby for 23 years. So a few weeks ago I popped in to say hello and Bob remembered me and was friendly and very engaging, asking how the tank was etc. I told him I was unsure about buying some some of his beautiful fish as I didn't believe my nitrate test to be accurate. Bob said no problem bring back a water sample and we'll test its on the Hanna meter. When I returned an hour later, he had his assistant test it but only using a test strip which is far less accurate then the Sailfret test kit I already have. He proceeds to tell me that its 20ppm which we all know is high for a reef tank but is fine for fish for the most part. I was kinda annoyed that the sample didn't get tested on the meter which is far more accurate but gave them benefit of the doubt and Bob was busy with another customer at the time. So I gave in to my eagerness of buying something and bought a Hippo Tang, Sailfin Tang and a cleaner shrimp to the tune of almost 300 dollars. Bob said to acclimate slowly which I always do with the drip method and not to get any of his water in my tank as the fish tanks are treated with copper and that his fish are captive bread which actually is a great thing! So a few days pass and like clockwork my Hippo tang is covered in ich, then the next day my new Sailfin gets it. Not a week later and the Sailfin was dead stuck against my power head and now my 6 year old flame angel and Lyretail Anthias both have it too. Both the Flame and Anthias die within a few days after they got the ich. So currently the Hippo tang is still alive and doing better but still has spots and of course I unknowingly introduced Ich into my reef tank. There is no way in hell the ich it was already there, my tank was stable and doing fine for years until I added new items from Bob's. I have no idea what to do at this point and now one of my old clown fish has the ich now too. It just may wipe out my entire fish population, I hope not :(. Going to start treating my food with garlic xtreme to see if I can wipe out the ich and save what I have left. So needless to say lets just say I'm pretty pissed off at the moment and am having a hard time writing and posting this as I do think Bob is a good guy, but not sure I believe the fish were treated with copper. So in summary I spend 300 on a cleaner shrimp and hippo tang and sailfin tang that in turn kills my flame angel and Lyretail Anthias that I had forever, and the brand new Sailfin dies as well! I ended up buying a Nitrate Hanna meter myself and the test was at 58ppm, a far cry from where Bob's assistant told me the level was! I wouldn't have bought anything if I knew it to be that high. I have got it down sense then but I highly doubt that level had anything to do with the ich breakout! I can't blame Bob for all of this as part of this is my fault for buying anything. It's always a risk getting new fish but this is ridiculous, really wish I took into account my prior experiences! Sincerely, Jimmy from Ansonia read more

We cannot say enough wonderful things about Bob and his team at Exotic Fish and Coral! Just over a year ago, we were gifted a 72-gallon saltwater fish tank, but unfortunately, the company that delivered it did not set it up properly, including the Apex system. Thankfully, Bob and his team, who our families have trusted for 15-20 years, came to the rescue. They quickly cleaned the tank, created a stunning aquascape, and took the time to educate us on proper care and maintenance. Since then, my fiancé and I have made it a tradition to stop by at least once a week to check out their ever-changing selection of beautifully cared-for fish. Over the past year, we have purchased 5-6 saltwater fish from Bob, all of which are thriving and healthy. His team is incredibly knowledgeable, and their pricing is more than fair--whether it's for in-store water testing, on-site services, fish, coral, food, or supplies. We truly believe Exotic Fish and Coral is the best in Connecticut, if not all of New England! There is not a single negative thing to say about this shop, and we highly encourage anyone looking to start a tank, upgrade their current one, or get expert advice to pay them a visit. You won't regret it! read more

Bob is extremely passionate, honest, knowledgeable and cares deeply about his customers & his product. He's not about selling you a fish or a product that's going to set you up for failure, if your water is not ready for fish he won't sell you something just so it passes away the next day. He will be honest before trying to make a sale. He will make sure your water, tank, filter and set up are 100% to ensure a healthy tank and fish so your not waisting money. I highly recommend you to pick his brain and patron exotic fish & corals. You absolutely will not be disappointed! read more

I think they need to update their opening hours or are they permanently closed? We drove an hour to get here and their website and Yelp hours listed open at 12 on Saturday. We show up at 1230 today, the open sign in the window is lighted, but the doors are locked. We rang a bell on the front door and no response. Very disappointing so we will keep our business with the store we found in RI. read more

I have been shopping at this store and dealing with Bob the owner for over five years. Recently upgraded from a 90 gallon to a 180. Bob supplied the tank ordered it on a Saturday and it arrived on the following Tuesday was not expecting it that fast. Bob walked me through the setup to the swap over of all my fish and corals. The knowledge he has is worth shopping there alone. Anytime i have had an issue he has helped me out even gave me his personal number. Oh and he has the most beautiful corals i have ever seen in a pet store and great pricing. read more

A gem? Gosh, that is sad. They know their stuff, yes, but Every time you go in and want something, its always coming in next week. Every time you have a serious problem, that needs them to do a house call, they will tell you they are coming and never show up. I think if you want fish, know exactly what you are doing, its fine. But if you are looking for a complete source, this is rough. I spent multiple thousands of dollars with them, and finally after being promised they would come to fix a nitrate issue, that they said only they could fix, and watching one by one my expensive coral and fish die, I had enough. This has been the mojo of this place for over a year.. empty promises and tons and tons of expensive rare fish and coral dying. I tried to learn to do everything myself, but the support structure is nothing. Bob runs everything, and ends up running nothing. I have to say, this easily is one of the worst run businesses I have ever seen. You will love the owner Bob. He is nice. he knows his stuff. just dont rely on him to do anything. You will get burned. Epilogue: after a year of frustrating never ending bad experiences with Exotic Fish and coral and a disdain for the owner of the coral reef, I posted an ad on craigs list, sold off all my fish and coral that was left, including a resilient Purple tang and pair of rare clowns, and got $200. All I can say is I knew this was coming... read more

Diamond in the rough. You wouldn't know it from the outside but this is one of the most amazing salt water supply stores in the state. I have gotten incredible fish and corals from here and have always been 100% satisfied with my purchase. Special orders? No problem. Issue with the tank and you need help or knowledge? Ryan who works there is a genius! My tank at home wouldn't be the same without him and the other awesome workers at this store. Do yourself a favor and get in there right now. read more

Bob helped me setup my 90 Gallon, fish only, Salt Water tank in 2004. 11 years later it's still going strong. All I've had to do is change the filter pad and do the water changes on a regular basis. I have used Exotic Fish and Corals the entire time and have had nothing but positive experiences. Great advice, great products, fair pricing. Thank you. Even when I just go to get some food for my fish, it's like taking a trip to the aquarium. I always look at all tanks in the store to see what's going on. read more

If you are not a longtime customer, friend or look like you are not going to spend a lot of money don't bother. I sincerely tried to give this store another chance since they moved to new location. Don't be fooled by pretty facade, owner has a know it all nasty attitude, making me feel less than as a hobbiest when asking questions so i walked out again just like I did at their last location. So basically they changed places but not attitude. Shame, really I usually have a good experience in the surrounding coral shops and am not quick to blow off a business, since I truly enjoy visiting them, just not this one. read more

Very poor experience. Bought several thousand dollars worth of equipment from them. A proper receipt was never given. When the equipment broke several months later I called the manufacturer. They wanted a proper receipt so I called the store and the owner (Bob). Nobody even answered my calls. At the store the sales person said that they cannot help me at all. Now I have to spend more money the fix equipment which is still under warranty. They promise a lot and do not deliver. Shop at your own risk! read more