About
Tucked into Hialeah's busy retail landscape, Dream Aquarium 1 is a family-owned shop that draws a loyal, largely bilingual clientele with its mix of freshwater and saltwater livestock, corals, and a surprisingly deep inventory of aquarium supplies. The owners—frequently mentioned by name and praised for their warmth—run the kind of store where customers feel like family from the first visit, and where Spanish and English flow equally across the counter. The freshwater side is where Dream Aquarium particularly shines.
Their betta selection stands out, with both male and female varieties at prices that make building a sorority tank genuinely affordable. One regular specifically recommends buying bettas here, noting consistent quality over repeat purchases. You'll also find angelfish, tetras, goldfish, and a rotating cast of tropical species.
On the saltwater side, there's a moderate but growing coral selection alongside marine fish, plus the medications and supplements needed for reef and fish-only setups. Beyond livestock, the store stocks live and frozen foods—brine shrimp, beef heart with various fortifications—along with tank treatments for both salt and freshwater systems. They'll test your water if you bring a sample and offer guidance on stocking and compatibility, though at least one reviewer cautioned that advice on tank stocking wasn't always accurate, so doing your own research remains wise.
The atmosphere is casual and personal. The owners clearly love what they do, and multiple reviewers highlight how they'll patiently walk you through care requirements, flag aggressive species, and even special-order products they don't carry. Prices consistently earn praise as fair to excellent.
One recurring note: hours can be unpredictable, so calling ahead before making the trip saves frustration. For Hialeah aquarists looking for affordable livestock, hands-on advice in either language, and a neighborhood shop that remembers your name, Dream Aquarium 1 delivers a genuinely personal experience that big-box stores simply can't replicate.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Strong betta selection with affordable male and female varieties for sorority tanks
- Both freshwater and saltwater fish plus a moderate coral selection
- Bilingual service in Spanish and English
- Specialty foods including live and frozen brine shrimp and fortified beef heart
- Free water testing when you bring a sample
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Ase mucho no voy pero realmente en lo personal son super en su negocio,excelentes precios y buena atencion”
— Yosniel ROQUE5.0a month ago“Tienen una selección genial de peces sanó, plantas, y todo de lo que te valla hacer falta para tu aquarium. Los dueños son super amables con sabiduría de lo que estan vendiendo, altamente sugiero que visiten!”
— Emmerson Mould5.04 months ago“Excelente atención y gran variedad de peces”
— Alisair Alfonso5.05 months ago“Me encanta este lugar, tienen una excelente variedad de peces y todo para el cuidado de las peceras, lo recomiendo 100%”
— Daria Estevez5.05 months ago“Friendly store to support our fish obsession. Good place to support local businesses.”
— Rudy G4.05 months ago“Amazing Customer Service and Friendly Staff! I had such a great experience at Dream Aquarium! From the moment I walked in, the staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to help. What really stood out was how patient and kind they were—not just to me, but to every customer that came in. You can tell they genuinely care about animals and the people who love them. They even offered to special-order a product that wasn’t in stock. Highly recommend this shop for anyone who wants personalized service and a team that truly goes above and beyond. I’ll definitely be coming back!”
— Yuliet Correoso5.06 months ago“Overall a very poorly maintained aquarium shop. Can’t even see in the tanks to see the fish. Staff was not helpful and could care less about customer service.”
— R. O.2.07 months ago“Very nice place and great staff!!! A+ all around, recommended”
— Javier Blanco5.0Edited 10 months ago“Bought cute turtles 🐢friendly staff”
— Magela Tejera5.011 months ago“Exelente atención de parte del personal, buena calidad en sus productos, hermosos peces y todo muy económicos 10/10 👍🫶🏼”
— Angie Ruiz5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (786) 494-4582 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Dream Aquarium 1.