About
Locals call it DNA, and the nickname fits—Dallas North Aquarium has anchored the DFW fishkeeping scene from its Carrollton, TX home for well over a decade. It's a big-box-sized aquarium store that still carries a family-owned, old-school feel, with freshwater and saltwater systems running wall to wall and a livestock list deep enough to pull hobbyists in from as far as Oklahoma. On the saltwater side you'll find healthy marine fish and a strong coral and reef selection; the freshwater rooms cover congo tetras, neon tetras, corydoras cories, plecos, cherry shrimp, horned nerite snails, and even axolotls—they stock buffered axolotl water for sale in Carrollton, TX, too.
Cichlid keepers come for the wall of African cichlids, and planted-tank folks browse vibrant live plants like rotala and an aquascaping table where you can mock up wood-and-rock hardscape before committing. The staff is why regulars keep coming back. , Tonya, and Crystal get singled out for patient, knowledgeable help.
One visitor praised Sean for steering them toward non-aggressive options for an established tank; another thanked Logan for setting up a kid's very first aquarium start to finish. Water testing is free and on the spot, and livestock is backed by a 48-hour warranty staff have been known to extend when life gets in the way. Beyond fish, DNA stocks tanks in every gallon size, rocks, décor, water treatments, medications, and racks of quality used equipment for budget-minded shoppers—some people wander in just to study the plumbing and filtration display setups.
Prices can run a touch higher than the chains, but the trade-off is healthier stock and genuine expertise. If you're hunting hard-to-find fish for sale near me, this Dallas-Fort Worth aquarium store remains the Carrollton standard-bearer.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Dallas North Aquarium in Carrollton, TX
Dallas North Aquarium stocks corals, reef fish, cichlids, African cichlids, tetras, catfish, plecos, shrimp, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Carrollton, TX. As an aquarium store serving Carrollton, TX, it also carries aquarium equipment, dry goods and fish medications and offers aquarium setup, aquarium consultations, aquascaping and water testing.
- Livestock & products
- CoralsReefPlanted TanksLive PlantsCichlidsAfrican CichlidsTetrasCatfishPlecosShrimpInvertebratesAxolotlsAquarium EquipmentDry GoodsMedications
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Deep freshwater and saltwater livestock—congo tetras, cories, plecos, cherry shrimp, African cichlids, corals, and even axolotls with buffered axolotl water
- Aquascaping table for testing wood-and-rock hardscape layouts before you buy
- Standout staff (Jeremy, Josh, Logan, Sean, Tom) known for patient, beginner-friendly guidance
- Free on-the-spot water testing plus a 48-hour livestock warranty
- Racks of quality used equipment and live plumbing/filtration display setups for budget-minded and DIY hobbyists
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Wonderful place! My wife got me a gift card from here a while back and we finally used a day off to make it over there! Wow! Great place, beautiful fish salt/fresh, tons of plants and all supplies you'd need! Sean was very helpful talking us through some good choices for our established tank where we need non-aggressive options. We will be regular visitors for sure. Thank you!”
— David C5.06 days ago“I love coming here! They have a great selection and if they don’t have something I’m looking for they surely will within a couple of weeks. The staff are all so friendly and give great recommendations. They have a great selection of cories and plants too.”
— Katlyn Le5.0a week ago“This was my first time visiting this fish store, and I had a wonderful experience. I am from Vietnam and do not speak English well, but a young employee who had only been working there for about 2–3 months was very friendly, patient, and helpful. He took the time to help me choose the fish I liked and answered all of my questions. I purchased quite a few fish, and he even spoke with the owner on my behalf and helped me get a discount on some of the fish I wanted. I really appreciated his kindness and effort. The young man at the checkout counter was also very friendly, welcoming, and professional. Thank you all for your excellent customer service and hospitality. I will definitely come back to support your business and will gladly recommend your store to my friends. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
— Tommy Van5.0a week ago“Look, I get it, DNA is the "OG" of large aquarium supply stores in DFW and they still continue to have a much larger selection of products. However, their livestock selection is bland and pricing is really not that competitive. I used to "make the trek" to DNA when I was looking for hard to find livestock and plants, but for a long lately they're carrying the same stuff I can find at smaller and CLOSER LFS.”
— Benjamin Mogendi3.02 weeks ago“Excellent source of healthy freshwater and marine fish and all types of supplies. Tom is an awesome salesperson”
— bonsaiboy395.02 weeks ago“I guess if your Caucasian you are spoken to and helped, me and my wife walked in and went to look at the African Cichlids and no one even said hi how you doing or even asked if we needed help! But we’re happy to help others of the right skin complexion they don’t have to worry about me coming there to spend my money I see it’s not wanted or accepted.”
— Skool Boi1.02 weeks ago“It's a very good store.”
— JAVIER INESTROZA4.03 weeks ago“Helpful and friendly staff. Lots of options and beautiful setup.”
— Kim S5.03 weeks ago“Good day! I wanted to start off by thanking you and the employees of your store a few days ago for the service that they gave me picking out plants for my 75 gallon aquarium with CO2. They were very professional and I was very impressed with the selection you had. Thank you so much.”
— Kyle Chaney5.03 weeks ago“Nice. Clean. Knowledgeable employees. Cool fish. And also sell used aquariums.”
— Brock Landry4.03 weeks ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (972) 492-6165 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Dallas North Aquarium.