About
Dynasty Marine Associates in Marathon, Florida operates as a marine life wholesaler serving the aquarium industry, situated in the heart of the Florida Keys. The company specializes in collecting and supplying saltwater marine species to commercial clients, including aquariums and industry buyers, rather than functioning as a traditional retail fish store open to hobbyist walk-ins. Reviews from industry partners describe the staff as pleasant and helpful, with some suppliers expressing gratitude for the working relationship.
A few reviewers praise the company's fish care standards and describe them as great people to work with. The Marathon location positions them with direct access to Florida's rich marine ecosystems, which forms the backbone of their collection operations. However, Dynasty Marine has become deeply controversial in recent years.
A significant portion of reviews reference the company's involvement in capturing wild manta rays from Florida waters — specifically from Panama City Beach — for export to facilities like SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Multiple reviewers report that at least one of the captured manta rays died while in the company's care, and critics argue that the practice of removing rare and intelligent marine megafauna from their natural habitats for commercial display is harmful rather than conservation-oriented. These concerns have drawn substantial public backlash, with several reviewers urging boycotts.
The business exists in a complicated space: it serves a legitimate role in the saltwater aquarium supply chain, providing marine specimens and livestock to the broader industry, and some professional clients speak highly of their service. But the manta ray controversy has cast a long shadow over its reputation, raising serious ethical questions about the scope of its collection practices. Anyone considering doing business with Dynasty Marine should be aware of both its wholesale capabilities and the significant public debate surrounding its large marine animal capture operations in Florida waters.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Saltwater marine life wholesaler based in Marathon, Florida Keys
- Supplies marine specimens to aquariums and industry clients
- Ships fish and marine animals commercially
- Significant controversy over wild manta ray capture operations
- Industry partners praise staff helpfulness and fish care
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great wholesaler for the aquarium industry. Pleasant staff, always helpful. Glad to have them as a supplier. Thank you!”
— jason hoegle5.02 months ago“I wish I could give zero stars. These people are the absolute worst And a major part of the problem. DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS!!!!!!!!”
— Kaleigh Gucker1.03 months ago“Put the manta ray back.”
— Brittany Mitchell1.0Edited 5 months ago“Bad news here.”
— Francisco Arbelaez1.05 months ago“What a horrible company”
— Kevin Schulz1.05 months ago“This company captures rare, endangered, and highly intelligent manta rays from Florida waters for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - they are not rescuing or helping these animals, they're needlessly extracting them from their habitats for profit. Captivity is not conservation. Dynasty Marine Associates already killed one of the three Manta Rays they captured this year, and the company captured two additional manta rays for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in 2023, and one of those was also killed.”
— Shaun McKanna1.05 months ago“One of the 3 manta rays they inhumanely captured in Panama Beach already died while in their "care". Please release the other two.”
— Genadi Kaller1.05 months ago“Harvesting marine animals as you did with the giant manta ray in Panama City Beach recently is abhorrent. It’s cruelty taken to the extreme by then shipping it all the way to Dubai. Shame.”
— Laura Armstrong1.06 months ago“Excelente atención..”
— Yudier Ferral5.04 years ago“Great staff and fish care”
— Davis Strobel5.05 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (305) 743-2247 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Dynasty Marine Associates Inc.