I'm a newb to saltwater tanks I've learned quit a bit from the staff Erick and Joe without even spending a dime. I personally believe educating you customers is key to a successful relationship with them and they Both took the time to make sure I was patient and took my time with my tank, instead of just taking my money and allowing me to buy every type of fish and coral I wanted and just toss them in a tank just to have them look great for a week and then pass away. I personally run a small business myself and believe they took right steps to put me on the right track to becoming a proper aquarium hobbyist. I told them both I'd like to start out small, to make sure I have the drive to commit to a tank and then I'd would later on purchase a larger tank for my home and business once I got the hang of things. They understood my needs, and took the time and gave me the information without bias and that won me over. I support small businesses and you should to, the difference between buying from a big box store or buying from online retailers is simply this, the service and personalization a small business can provide to your needs can only be had one on one. read more

The conditions they keep their animals in, besides some of the fish, is horrible and makes me feel incredibly sad. The rabbits are clearly neglected. The snakes are in horribly tiny setups smaller than your average rack sometimes. The bearded dragons have black beards doing absolutely nothing. Please do not give them your business. read more

I love how well-stocked and diverse Ocean Gallery is. They have an excellent selection of freshwater fish, including African cichlids, South American cichlids, catfish, silver dollars, knife fish, guppies, and even koi. Their saltwater fish collection is just as impressive, featuring clownfish, tangs, pufferfish, and gobies. Beyond fish, they offer a variety of other animals, such as different types of snakes, bearded dragons, rabbits, and aquatic snails--an excellent clean-up crew for my fish tank. Their fish food selection, including frozen, pellet, and flake options, is reasonably priced. Additionally, the equipment for maintaining both fish and reptile tanks is affordable and high quality. Overall, Ocean Gallery is a fantastic store that I've been visiting for years, and I highly recommend it! read more

Amazing local fish store. All the tanks are sparking clean. Display tanks are gorgeous. This small store just filled with owner's passion and professionalism. From a fellow hobbyist, I can tell how much the owner love the hobby. 10/10 would recommend. You can't ask for more from a local fish store! read more

I have been coming to this store for about 30 years on and off as I fade in and out of the hobby. One of the standout features of Ocean Gallery is their customer service. The staff members are very helpful, whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or just dipping your toes into the world of fishkeeping. They always take the time to patiently answer all of my questions and offer advice tailored to my specific needs. While some may not love the slightly higher prices compared to amazon, I found that the benefits of the customer service far outweigh any cost considerations. The peace of mind that comes from knowing I have a people I can turn to for guidance is truly priceless. read more

Really nice shop. Friendly and helpful staff. Will definitely recommend this store for all your aquarium needs

Staff has been consistently helpful each time I'm here. While some of the prices are high on the goods, the fish here are quite vibrant and reasonably priced. read more

Stopped in for a quick look, excellent selection, a lot of things here you won't see a lot of other places. Good prices, have some Montipora frags for 5.00. Tough to beat..all of the tanks look healthy. Great selection, great display very fair prices. Staff was very welcoming and friendly without trying to sell me something. read more

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Overall cost and looks to my salt water tank set up was great... what wasn't great was the "advice" given by the staff on what to fill my tank with. This resulted in me putting tons of incompatible fish and crabs into the tank, who proceeded to immediately kill each other upon finishing installation. When confronted about their bad advice, their response.... "animals will be animals and we have no control over that". What you do have control over is tricking a new buyer into spending hundreds of dollars on fish knowing they'll have to come back and purchase several hundreds of dollars more worth of fish because clearly no fish tank owner wants a fish tank with no fish in it. read more

Aptaisa in a few of the tanks...I found it just in time on the frag I bought...Luckily I cut the coral off the frag plug and threw away the aptaisa. read more

The customer service at this establishment was horrible. The individual who identified himself as the "manager" was practically irate when I asked him for a receipt of my purchase. I asked him if he had the items I was looking for and he told me where I could locate them in the store never getting up from behind the counter to help a me locate the merchandise or carry heavy bags of sand to my car. I paid for my merchandise in cash and not handed a receipt. When I waited for a receipt I was told I had to ask for one. No costumer should ever wonder what he paid for an item nor should he ever have to ask for a receipt. The owner of this establishment should know the lack of costumer service and out right rudeness this employee is capable of. I will never shop there again and as an avid reefer I will take my business elsewhere. read more

I was very happy with my healthy baby bearded dragon. However, I also purchased wood for him to climb on. Two months later, baby roaches are crawling out of it. I disposed of it.. now four months later, I have roaches in my house. Very very very disappointed in this store that they sold me roach-infested wood. read more

I feel like there was a time when this store was probably in better shape than it is now. The marine tanks all had one issue or another (aiptasia, hair algae, etc) that makes me nervous. I did buy a live rock from a tank that appeared clean - I brought it home, cleaned it and put it in my tank ... Three days later ? A tell tale brown polyp appeared. I managed to kill it and keep it from spreading - but damn. read more

We came in with so many issues and questions about my turtle tank, Joe was so polite and knowledgeable. He offered us MANY suggestions and alternatives to fix the problems we've been having with our red eared slider. He didnt push buying more than we needed and even said to go in stages. I appreciated his concern for our budget, as well as our turtle. Overall a great experience, and we learned a lot. read more

Sold me sick feeder rats and wouldn't even offer to refund me. Besides the fact that the store smells so bad, worse than it even should. Everything is over-priced as well. Don't bother with this place. read more

Just purchased my first ever fish tank, and I went all in. The two young men are awesome, they helped me the entire way, answered all my dumb questions and are in the process of setting it up at my house. If anyone is looking for a fish store look no further. I went to many stores where people tried to take advantage of my lack of knowledge. Same set up a lot less price and great people to work with. Thank you guys my family is excited to see the end results soon. read more

Ocean Gallery - First steps to happiness - Local Fish Stores Near Me - North Plainfield, New Jersey

Great store for advice, but will always comparison shop from now on. I always expect a little mark up for a local store over online, and as such I don't go crazy comparison shopping, but in this particular case I wish I had. 99 bucks for a pump that can be had for 55 online. That's not a markup, that's highway robbery. Good guys to talk to and get advice from...but their prices are incredibly high for simple things. Reasonable prices on tanks and furniture, but pumps and powerheads and the like are absolutely priced to kill you. Buy at your own risk. read more

As soon as I walked in I knew I made a mistake. Multiple tanks with dead fish and overall poorly kept tanks. Sickly fish others with noticeable diseases. While we are at it....the whole dang place is poorly kept. The floors and lighting are like walking through a funhouse. Looks like they stopped trying 20 years ago. Reptile section is just sad and the poor rabbit tucked in the back corner has no room to do anything but sit in place. Prices are not competitive at all. I can name several nearby places that are way cleaner and that is staffed by knowledgeable caring people. read more

A nice local pet store on rte. 22 in NJ. Awesome marine selection and reef section. Some Very nice show case reef tanks and a very robust selection of tanks to choose from for those setting up a new tank. For Central NJ, this store cannot be beat for reef and marine fish selection and choice. The freshwater selection is smaller and seems like an after thought. Its OK, and fish look good but nothing special and limited diversity. Staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Prices are higher than average, but you get a great selection of aquatics and good support from the staff. For dry goods they are in line with the chains (which I find over priced on staples like salt and lighting, etc anyhow). If you have a reef tank, check them out! read more

Best place I have ever found. Staff is so knowledgeable and always helps me when I get the itch to upgrade my collection of fish. There's so much you need to know and I appreciate the customer service here so that I am sure to do things correctly. read more

Great store, Joe did a great job setting up my Red Sea MAX E170 tank. Quick turnaround time from order, to delivery and setup. Definitely going to go back to get livestock, and more tanks possibly, if space permits... read more

Ocean Gallery - Local Fish Stores Near Me - North Plainfield, New Jersey

I got 2 5inch discuss fish and some assorted little fish. The staff is very friendly and helpful and their prices are very competitive. I highly recommend them. read more

Some of the tanks were dirty, freshwater tank room was smelly, narrow, and damp. Goldfish tank was nice but some of them were dead and rotting. Wished they had more cichlids. I orginally went there for a blood parrot cichlid, but they only had convicts, africans, and jelly beans. Not coming back here unless I get a saltwater tank or they expand! read more

I really do like this place. the first time I went to get cichlids I ask the young man who informed me that he had a tank at home with cichlids and knows about these fish, So as I purchase my fish. I ask if he could give me a set of each. As he took his time to sex them to make sure I had one of each. I was happy... Well a month later I go back to get my last 4 fish for my tank and I guess the manager who took care of me. knew what he was talking about when I ask questions, When ask if he could give me 1 of each female and male. he told me all he orders are males. He never buys females. I was very disappointed and ask how could this be when one of your employers sexed them for me. he swears he never buy females. So I did purchase 4 fish that day. I come home and notice one isn't doing so well. I called them back with my concerns. The man on the other line told me to return the fish. I however wasn't going to drive a hour for a 5 dollar fish, I wanted to know what I can do to prevent my 22 other mates that are in my fish tank. he didn't seem to care and just told me to destroy the fish. not the answer I was looking for, I was worrying about my other fish. Over all, I would be careful what you take home. ( just like any other fish stores) To know that all they carry are males, I won't be going back. just like any fish store, know your prices. I notice that some fish they sell, are also at pet smart or Petco and sells much cheaper. read more

I was in the store for the first time 11 days ago.My wife had seen Glo Fish for the first time at a friends home.She was very impressed.So I went to Ocean Gallery and Joe set me up with everything I needed.His knowledge was spot on.My wife is happy,which makes me happy. read more

Purchased an Albino Red Belly Pacu from Ocean Gallery II, a day after receiving said fish it showed signs of a parasitic infection that could not have been contracted in my aquarium as the aquarium itself was brand new and did not have any for or any parasites in the tank. Unfortunately the store refused to give me my money back so I could at least pay for a treatment. Overall a good store, but make sure to quarantine and treat your fish before putting them in a healthy aquarium as Ocean Gallery neglects to do this important step. read more

I have not bought any fish from here but they have a very nice saltwater selection. Their displays are usually very clean and the owner is very hands on with customers. read more

If you're in the saltwater hobby, like me, this is the place to go. I don't look at their freshwater fish but as for saltwater they pretty much have everything. I took off one star because the supplies are over priced since I can purchase cheaper on amazon. read more

I'm devastated. I just scooped my fish from my tank! The gentleman who sold me my fish (knowing I'm a new tank owner & fish novice) told me it was fine to put the fish in my tank after I noticed one of their tanks had ICH! I prefer to give my business to non-chain stores but, I will never go here again! read more

Best place around with a huge selection. I've been going to ocean gallery for 10 years and have never had an issue with fish (salt or fresh) corals or any other product. Entire staff is friendly and very knowledgable. Recommend them to everyone who wants to start a tank. Prices are very reasonable for the great quality. read more

I purchased a fish from them about a month ago and once I found it being super aggressive they happily took him back and let me pick out a new one! Very friendly and helpful. This is the only place I will buy fish from. The fish are all healthy and they always have a huge selection. read more