Caribbean Forest LLC logo

Caribbean Forest LLC

Aquarium shop · Rochester, NY · reviewed since 2013

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%81+51.5Reliability 28%89+25.1Replies to reviews 8%50+4.1Experts Score= 81Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.81SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#12 of 29 aquarium setup servicesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 61%
4.8 ★★★★★ 257 Google reviews · 23 photos
87%five-star reviews
4.88★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
24%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Caribbean Forest LLC at a glance

Customers frequently highlight the store's clean facilities, extensive selection of saltwater livestock, and knowledgeable staff who provide helpful advice. However, some reviewers note that pricing for live animals and reptiles is high, while others report purchasing sick fish or experiencing rude interactions with management.

  • Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 257 reviews (87% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 257 Google reviews (177 with written comments, 11 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 24% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 28, 2026.
  • Service: Aquarium Setup Service serving Rochester, New York.

Data from Google, last updated November 3, 2026.

Score profile vs other aquarium setup services

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and reliability; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction81Reliability89Craft & service–Value–Momentum100Replies to reviews50Satisfaction: 81 (median 81)Reliability: 89 (median 74)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 50 (median 38)
Caribbean Forest LLCAquarium Setup Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Caribbean Forest LLC: 81/100 on this factor. Category median: 81.A
81
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Caribbean Forest LLC: 89/100 on this factor. Category median: 74.A
89
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 62.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Caribbean Forest LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Caribbean Forest LLC: 50/100 on this factor. Category median: 38.C
50

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

257 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars22387%
  • 4 stars218%
  • 3 stars52%
  • 2 stars21%
  • 1 star62%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 177 written reviews

  • Praise16096%
  • Complaints74%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude9154%
  • Price & value2817%
  • Would recommend2113%
  • Quality & results1811%
  • Honesty & trust64%
  • Speed & response21%
  • Communication11%

What customers talk about

We read 177 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “The lady working was super nice and really helpful.”
  • “great coral at a great price would tell anyone to go there worth the drive!”
    “Way overpriced too.”
  • “I would definitely recommend checking the place out.”
    “Since then we have been to the reef shop and house of corals and would highly recommend them.”
  • “Great experience overall and I’ll definitely be coming back!”
  • “…re not only very knowledgeable on animal care and aquatics, but also genuinely care about their animals welfare.…”
  • “…l owners and I was so immensely impressed with the shop that I had to immediately write this review upon leaving.…”
  • “5 gallon tank and walked me through everything from live rock selection, cycling, when to add fish and which fish would be happy in my tank.”

People customers mention

  • Millie 5 reviews
  • Milly 5 reviews
  • Jason 4 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

Hayden1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

The lady working was super nice and really helpful. She was very knowledgeable and was more than happy to answer my questions and help me out. I got a GSP frag, along with a yellow polyp coral that look amazing. The shop is in magnificent shape, everything is super clean and the corals look great. All of the tanks…

ShakilahLocal Guide · 125 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 6 months ago★★★

I use to love buying seashells from here & my shirt it was always so clean in here I had some good times coming here everything wasn't all bad ♥️

SeanLocal Guide · 318 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 7 months ago★★★★★

But we weren't there to purchase anything. We had some stuff to drop off for them to donate I guess, but they were super friendly. I would definitely recommend checking the place out. I heard one of the employees talking to a customer and he seemed to really knowledgeable as well.

FourLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 8 months ago★★★★★

Jason and Millie were super friendly, helpful, and informative. Very honest. Very, very honest. Amazing store run by amazing people. Will definitely be going back.

Greg11 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 8 months ago★★★★★

First time saltwater aquarium person here. The store has amazing variety, quality corals and fish, and a friendly and informative staff! Definitely going to be my go-to!

Dj4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 8 months ago★★★★★

Amazing store. Great selection of products, livestock, and foods. Owner is amazing and super helpful with everything. Wouldn’t go anywhere else

Photos

Customer reviews

4.8 ★★★★★ 257 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Gordon5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Gordon has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Grate customer service

John Demass1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews John has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Blown away!!! Best coral options around

Hayden Reitz1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Hayden has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The lady working was super nice and really helpful. She was very knowledgeable and was more than happy to answer my questions and help me out. I got a GSP frag, along with a yellow polyp coral that look amazing. The shop is in magnificent shape, everything is super clean and the corals look great. All of the tanks are very well taken care of and they have pretty much anything you could need from test kits and foods to everything in between. Great experience overall and I’ll definitely be coming back!

Shakilah GoffLocal Guide · 125 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Shakilah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I use to love buying seashells from here & my shirt it was always so clean in here I had some good times coming here everything wasn't all bad ♥️

Response from the owner · 5 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Cleanliness has always been, and continues to be, a top priority here, and we take great pride in maintaining a welcoming and well-kept shop for all of our customers. We appreciate your past support and wish you the best.

Sean FleschLocal Guide · 318 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Sean has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

But we weren't there to purchase anything. We had some stuff to drop off for them to donate I guess, but they were super friendly. I would definitely recommend checking the place out. I heard one of the employees talking to a customer and he seemed to really knowledgeable as well.

Jonathan EllisLocal Guide · 25 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jonathan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Best salt water place in town. Get all my fish and related goods there

Four Brother BearsLocal Guide · 22 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Four has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Jason and Millie were super friendly, helpful, and informative. Very honest. Very, very honest. Amazing store run by amazing people. Will definitely be going back.

Greg DiTomasso (Mr. Ticktockery)11 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Greg has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

First time saltwater aquarium person here. The store has amazing variety, quality corals and fish, and a friendly and informative staff! Definitely going to be my go-to!

Dj Steiner4 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Dj has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Amazing store. Great selection of products, livestock, and foods. Owner is amazing and super helpful with everything. Wouldn’t go anywhere else

Adam “Adam Broz” BrozLocal Guide · 222 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Adam has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Wonderful place with all sorts of pretty features. All the tanks are clean and well organized, staff was very helpful to pick out what is best for our needs. Go upstairs and check out the plant 🪴 collections too

Caribbean Forest LLC on Google Maps →

Business details