About
" Walk in and the first thing that registers is how clean everything is: every tank is meticulously kept, the livestock looks vibrant, and you can tell owner Dustin genuinely cares about what's swimming behind the glass. Regulars describe him as "the goat of fish," always ready to answer questions and walk you through your setup. This is a freshwater-focused shop built around planted tanks and community fish.
Reviewers rave about the lemon tetras, freshwater shrimp, and plecos for sale in Rio Rancho, NM, alongside a deep selection of live plants, driftwood, and aquascaping stones — Dustin has been known to break up a piece of stone on the spot so it fits a 5-gallon nano tank just right. CO2 tanks are on hand for high-tech planted setups, and the inventory rotates constantly, so repeat visitors always find something new. What sets the shop apart from big-box options is the care behind the livestock.
Newly received fish go into a dedicated quarantine area before they're ever offered for sale — an extra expense most chains skip — which means the fish you bring home actually thrive. The Fish Room also refuses to sell bettas in cups, giving every fish proper space, a small detail that says a lot about the philosophy here. One local aquarium-maintenance pro praised the store's healthy, never-overstocked tanks and reasonable prices.
Dustin and his staff, including Kennan, are consistently praised for taking real time with customers, whether you're a brand-new tank owner or stocking a planted nano of shrimp and tetras. If you're searching for a freshwater fish store near me in the Rio Rancho and Albuquerque area, this is where to spend your afternoon — and your money.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at The Fish Room in Rio Rancho, NM
The Fish Room stocks shrimp, tetras, plecos, betta fish, aquarium plants and freshwater fish for sale in Rio Rancho, NM. As a fish store serving Rio Rancho, NM, it also offers aquarium consultations, fish quarantine and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Owner Dustin — called "the goat of fish" by regulars — gives patient, knowledgeable advice and walks new owners through setup over multiple visits
- Lemon tetras, freshwater shrimp, and plecos for sale, plus a deep selection of live plants, driftwood, aquascaping stones, and CO2 tanks for planted setups
- Dedicated quarantine area for newly received fish before sale, so livestock arrives home healthy
- No bettas in cups — ethical fish care with proper space for every species
- Spotless, well-maintained tanks and fair prices that draw customers from across the Albuquerque area
From keepers
Customer reviews
“We love this place and our little nano tank of shrimp!”
— Megan Brewer5.0a month ago“Great place to get fish and products. Staff very knowledgeable and friendly. Welcome to Rio Rancho”
— Charles Fernandez5.0Edited a month ago“Great experience at The Fish Room. Dustin is always super helpful, friendly, and easy to talk to. He always answers my questions and has some amazing fish knowledge. You can tell he really cares about helping people and knows his stuff. Definitely recommend checking this place out!”
— Wicked Wieners5.0a month ago“I could never be more happier with Dustin. This guy is the goat of fish, always so helpful always so kind and always there to give education for sure A+ Dustin and The Fish Room.”
— Wayne Trujillo5.0a month ago“Closed during business hours”
— TheBlonde1.02 months ago“My favorite fish store in NM”
— Koda 8315.02 months ago“Best place to get fish everything is healthy and clean never disappoints prices are good I’m glad these guys are here”
— that guy benavidez5.03 months ago“Healthy fish, clean tanks, good prices. Can't beat it worth every bit of my 35 minute drive to get there.”
— David Chavez5.03 months ago“LOVE OUR FISH TANK! Best place for your aquarium needs. Everyone who comes in our store loves it. 💕 10/10”
— Brittany Gutierrez5.0a week ago“Dustin at the Fish Room rocks! Great variety of fish AND plants!”
— Steven Welch5.0Edited a week ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call ahead to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Fish Room.