About
Professional Fish Keepers is a family-run aquarium store in Margate, FL that South Florida hobbyists have leaned on for years, owned and operated by Sergio and Sonia. Regulars describe it as a "mom and pop shop" with "some of the coolest tanks I've seen," and the husband-and-wife team is known for patiently walking newcomers through everything from a first 3-gallon setup to a fully planted display. PFK carries one of the largest livestock selections in the area, spanning both freshwater and saltwater.
On the freshwater side you'll find tetras, Corydoras catfish, bettas, mystery snails, and cichlids for sale in Margate, FL, with fancy goldfish, axolotls, and live plants rounding out the planted-tank corner. Reefers have made it a destination too: one recent visitor called it "a fantastic reef shop" for anyone serious about the hobby in Palm Beach or Broward, pointing to the huge selection of corals and marine fish available in Margate, FL. What longtime customers point to most is the store's approach to fish health.
Staff quarantine livestock before it reaches the sales floor and will feed the fish right in front of you so you can confirm they're eating before you buy. The tanks throughout the shop stay clean, and the owners are happy to field questions and track down hard-to-find animals. Many regulars keep API test kits and both frozen and live foods stocked from here as part of their routine.
Prices do run higher than the big-box chains, and a few cichlids in particular have raised eyebrows, but repeat buyers argue the premium reflects the quality and care behind the livestock. For aquarists who'd rather walk in, watch healthy fish eating, and get straight answers from the people who own the place, this Margate aquarium store remains a South Florida staple.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Professional Fish Keepers in Margate, FL
Professional Fish Keepers stocks corals, reef fish, tetras, betta fish, catfish, cichlids, goldfish, axolotls, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Margate, FL. As an aquarium store serving Margate, FL, it also carries aquarium equipment and fish food and offers fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefTetrasBettasCatfishCichlidsGoldfishAxolotlsPlanted TanksLive PlantsInvertebratesAquarium EquipmentFish Food
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run by owners Sergio and Sonia, known for patient, hands-on guidance
- All livestock quarantined and fed in front of customers before purchase
- One of the largest freshwater and saltwater selections in South Florida
- Strong reef section with a large coral selection praised by serious reefers
- Carries tetras, Corydoras catfish, bettas, cichlids, fancy goldfish, axolotls, and live plants
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Break place to buy your corals and fish”
— Stephen Hauskins5.07 hours ago“I have been to many many aquarium stores in my 10+ years keeping fish but wow. The smell in this store almost knocked me on my butt. It wasn’t normal aquarium smell it was very strong and abnormal. The fish looked okay for the most part but I couldn’t get past it. Also Was way too cramped.”
— Lisa Bistodeau2.0a month ago“Awesome mom and pop shop. Some of the coolest tanks I've seen!”
— Lee Stephenson5.0a month ago“If you are serious about the Reef Tank hobby in Palm Beach or Broward, this is a fantastic reef shop. Huge selection, owner is super friendly and knowledgeable, really can't believe the pieces this place has!”
— David Sicherman5.03 months ago“Nice selection decent prices”
— william buckley5.03 months ago“I bought two panda goldfish; one died from mites, the other from sores. I also bought an axolotl that died in less than two hours. The seller was unreliable.”
— Dennys Gonzalez1.04 months ago“I had a very disappointing experience at this fish store. I purchased a fish, and within two hours of bringing it home, it was already dead. All of my water parameters were correct, and my aquarium is well established with other healthy fish. I also have a separate hospital/quarantine tank prepared specifically for new acquisitions, and the fish was properly acclimated. Despite taking these precautions, it still died the same day. When I went back to the store to explain what happened, I was told that once the animal leaves the building, there is absolutely no guarantee. I also have a friend who bought two orandas from this same place. Both of them died the very same day she brought them home. She has a 120-gallon tank that has been stable for years with other orandas, and she also uses a hospital tank for new fish. The only fish that died were the ones purchased from this store. If you do not want to lose your money, I strongly recommend not buying from here. Other places offer basic guarantees. For example, Pet Supermarket provides up to a week of guarantee if you bring proof of proper water parameters. Even reputable eBay sellers offer guarantees as long as you show your water test results. I have purchased fish online before and never experienced anything like this. I cannot speak about their saltwater fish, but based on my experience and others’, there seems to be a serious issue with their freshwater livestock. Fish die shortly after arriving home, even when proper quarantine procedures are followed, and the store refuses any responsibility. On top of that, their prices are quite high. I would avoid this place.”
— Liz1.04 months ago“This is my go to fish store here in south Florida. PFK has one of the largest selections of fish in the area and very knowledgeable on anything you need help with. I have bought dozens of fish from them and never had an issue with a single one. They quarantine all there fish before selling them and also make sure they’re eating, they always feed the fish for you before you buy them so you can see with your own eyes they’re eating. This might not be a big deal to some but for my personal experience it is and it shows they know what they’re doing and how to sell fish that will live. PFK is a little bit pricey compared to other stores but with the price comes quality, there fish are well kept and won’t give your tank any sicknesses. This is the only place I buy fish from now”
— Alec quere5.02 weeks ago“Amazing quality fish, great customer service”
— Carlos Girão5.02 weeks ago“Staff was very helpful and informative. They have both fresh and saltwater fish and accessories.”
— Donald Rigg5.03 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (954) 752-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Professional Fish Keepers.