About
Tucked into Miami's sprawling aquarium scene, Aquarium Depot is a family-owned shop that has served the local fishkeeping community for decades. The store leans heavily toward saltwater, with display tanks full of corals and marine fish that draw hobbyists from across South Florida — even those who have closer options. One long-time customer noted they drive past other stores specifically because Aquarium Depot carries brands and equipment they can't find elsewhere.
The coral selection gets consistent praise, with reviewers highlighting a beautiful assortment that ranges across species. Marine staples like clownfish are well-stocked, and the store also carries freshwater livestock for those building community or planted setups. Live brine shrimp is a standout offering that multiple reviewers mention, alongside medications and antibiotics for treating common ailments — a practical touch that reflects the store's hands-on approach to fishkeeping support.
What sets Aquarium Depot apart in Miami is the owner's willingness to slow down and educate. Multiple reviewers describe being walked through the basics of setting up their first aquarium, and at least one customer noted the owner refused to sell corals when their water tests weren't ideal — a sign of genuine concern for animal welfare over making a quick sale. The owner has even shared personal contact information to help customers stock large saltwater systems like 120-gallon tanks.
com and ships livestock, though experiences with online orders have been mixed — some buyers reported DOA arrivals and communication issues. In-store, however, the experience is markedly different: clean displays, patient staff, and fair pricing are recurring themes across dozens of reviews. It's a small, sometimes slightly cluttered space, but one with deep roots in Miami's aquarium community.
The bilingual staff serves the area's diverse population with equal warmth, and the decades of family ownership show in the personal relationships customers describe building over repeat visits.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned for decades with deep roots in Miami's aquarium community
- Strong saltwater and coral selection that draws customers from across South Florida
- Live brine shrimp consistently praised by regular customers
- Owner performs water testing and will decline sales when parameters aren't ideal
- Bilingual staff serving Miami's diverse fishkeeping community
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I had a really disappointing experience here. A staff member tried to sell me two clownfish for a 5-gallon tank, which is completely inappropriate and harmful for the fish. Anyone who has done even basic research knows clownfish need significantly more space for proper health, stability, and water quality. What’s upsetting is that if someone hadn’t done their research, they would’ve trusted the employee and unknowingly put the fish in a situation that would likely lead to stress, illness, or death. It felt less like guidance and more like just trying to make a sale, not caring about the health of the animals. This kind of misinformation is sad and irresponsible, especially in a business that’s supposed to promote proper animal care.”
— camila rodriguez24081.0a week ago“Love coming here always! Best live brine shrimp and beautiful fish and corals. 5/5 Stars!”
— High On Politics5.0a month ago“Hands down the best. Omg im always amazed on how many bugs. Continue to do business and I will tell other how great this company is”
— john castellano5.02 months ago“Amazing service, would definitely come back! I recommend 10/10”
— Jhami Burgos5.06 months ago“It’s a small store owned by the same family for decades, great customer service and good people worth supporting”
— Jessie Wicked reef5.07 months ago“Tengan cuidado con este lugar. El año pasado perdí casi todos los peces en mi estanque de agua salada después de haber comprado peces aquí. Solo dos sobrevivieron. Me dieron todas las excusas posibles excepto que sus peces enfermaron mi estanque. No puse más peces por varios meses, solo los dos sobrevivientes y el pasado mes les compré varios peces y al tercer día se murió uno y en esta semana ya he perdido dos. Todos comprados allí. Revisaron el agua y todo aparentemente está bien. Pude observar un pez enfermo en sus estanques y en lugar de aislarlo, sigue allí siendo atacado y enfermando a los demás que sí están en venta. Nuevamente me dieron excusas inimaginables pero ni un grado de empatía al cliente que gastó su dinero. Por esta razón no volveré a este lugar y hago la advertencia para que tengan cuidado. Al parecer reciben mercancía y la ponen en venta de inmediato sin estar seguros si se alimentan bien o si están enfermos. Si en algo son expertos es en dar excusas. Aprendan que se hacen clientes para toda la vida y no para quitarles el dinero una vez. No vuelvo. Gracias por nada.”
— Z Torres1.0a year ago“Sold me fish that ended up having the ich.”
— Crystal Gonzalez1.0a year ago“Excelente servicio...tienen de todo...y lo mejor es que me ayudaron y me dieron recomendaciones para mi pecera”
— Seeing Eye Designs5.0a year ago“Awesome staff and really clean and exotic species as well as great pricing.”
— Jose Valle5.0a year ago“Great place for fishes and getting some quick tips 👍”
— Joshua Ibarra5.0a year ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (305) 596-3373 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Aquarium Depot.