Capital Exotic Fish

's most exciting aquarium destinations. 9-star rating through a combination of stunning aquascaped display tanks, a deep freshwater and saltwater selection, and a staff that customers can't stop naming by name — Christina, Maddie, Nick, Sean, Jonathan, Grace, and Chris all get repeated shoutouts for their patience and expertise. The store's planted tank game is especially strong.

, Maryland, and Virginia region. Hardscape materials, substrates, and tanks from UNS line the shelves, giving aquascaping enthusiasts serious tools to work with. The display tanks themselves are frequently described as art — nature-inspired setups that demonstrate exactly what's possible with the products on the floor.

On the livestock side, Capital Exotic stocks healthy freshwater fish including koi angelfish, rummy nose tetras, clown killifish, and other hard-to-find species alongside corals for saltwater hobbyists. Their betta fish get special treatment in individual filtered tanks — a detail that speaks to the store's care standards. Shrimp, snails, and other invertebrates round out the selection for nano tank enthusiasts.

One customer flew eleven rummy nose tetras and three koi angelfish all the way back to Arizona, and every single one survived the trip and acclimated beautifully. What sets this shop apart is its community-building energy. The owner organizes giveaways and events featuring well-known aquascapers.

Store dogs Max and Mellow greet visitors at the door. There's a couch for sitting and watching fish. One father described setting up a 5-gallon nano ecosystem with his two-year-old daughter, guided step-by-step by the staff — plants, shrimp, fish, and all.

With competitive pricing that reviewers consistently call the best in the DMV area, Capital Exotic Fish delivers substance alongside style.