About
9-star shop that hobbyists across the DMV make a point of driving to. Step inside and you'll find an immaculately clean, well-lit space lined with nature-inspired display tanks that regulars describe as works of art — living proof of what the plants, hardscape, and livestock on the floor can become. The planted-tank selection is the headline.
Reviewers talk about "decision paralysis" in the plant section, and many say it outshines anything they've found elsewhere in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. Tanks, substrate, and hardscape from UNS give aquascapers serious tools, and recent visitors have walked out with driftwood and freshwater plants for sale to match their scapes. Staff members Christina, Nick, Grace, Maddie, Sean, and Chris get named again and again for patient, genuinely knowledgeable help — whether you're setting up a first nano tank or chasing a specific species they'll help track down.
On the livestock side, this is a freshwater specialist with a rotating, healthy stock you won't find at a chain. Recent shoppers have taken home koi angelfish, rummy nose tetras, and clown killifish, alongside the shrimp, snails, and other invertebrates that round out the selection for nano-tank keepers. Betta fish for sale in Washington, DC each get their own individually filtered tank — a small detail that says a lot about the care here.
The store quarantines its livestock well, and customers consistently report healthy fish and no losses. Saltwater keepers will find corals too, making this a genuine aquarium store rather than a freshwater-only stop. Beyond the tanks, it doubles as a community hub: the owner hosts giveaways and aquascaper events, there's a couch for sitting and watching fish, and store dogs Max and Mellow greet visitors at the door.
With prices reviewers call the best around, it's the planted-tank and nano fish aquarium store near me that DC enthusiasts keep coming back to.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Capital Exotic Fish in Washington, DC
Capital Exotic Fish stocks corals, betta fish, shrimp, invertebrates, angelfish, tetras, rare and hard-to-find species, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Washington, DC. As an aquarium store serving Washington, DC, it also carries aquarium equipment and offers aquarium consultations, aquascaping, aquarium setup and fish quarantine.
- Livestock & products
- Live PlantsPlanted TanksCoralsBettasShrimpInvertebratesAngelfishTetrasAquarium EquipmentRare Species
- Services
- ConsultationAquascapingTank SetupQuarantine
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterSaltwater
Highlights
What makes them special
- Live plant and aquascaping selection praised as the best in the DC/MD/VA area
- UNS tanks, substrate, and hardscape for serious planted and nano setups
- Rotating freshwater stock: orange amano shrimp, scarlet badis, exclamation point rasboras, and green jade neocaridina shrimp
- Betta fish kept in individual filtered tanks, with livestock quarantined and consistently healthy
- Nature-inspired display tanks, store dogs Max and Mellow, and owner-hosted aquascaper events
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great store! So much to offer — everything you’d need for your aquarium. They have fish of all sorts, plants of all sorts and even driftwood. It’s super nice inside with all the different tanks they have set up. Just watch out for the mosquitos”
— Grace Z5.02 weeks ago“This is a 10/10 quality fish store. Christina knows her stuff and is super helpful. The whole crew is. When you see how well kept their betas are and the plants, you know it's run by people who care. The plant section is top quality, the set up works and it's all super clean. They have UNS products and a great selection of rare and common freshwater fish and inverts. I recently purchased the orange amanos, scarlet badis, exclamation point rasboras, and the new green jade neocaridinas. They quarantine well and the livestock look healthy. No dead fish. No odd smells. The only downside is parking but that's DC for you. A+”
— Edward Toledo5.04 weeks ago“Best hobbyist level aquarium store I've ever been to. Stunning selection of plants, solid selection of hardscape, and a very wide selection of healthy fish you definately won't find at Petco. Staff are super knowledgable and willing to work with you even if you're looking for something specific that they don't have in at the time. Don't overlook this place.”
— Cody Underwood5.0a month ago“Always a friendly staff with great knowledge.”
— Craig Kawamura5.02 months ago“The store was clean and tidy, and the staff were kind and knowledgeable. I came in looking for plants for my aquarium and the staff helped me quickly to help me find what I was looking for. Huge variety of plants (they do not have Java moss, but that’s perfectly fine) and worked with me to figure out what’s best for my tank set up. They carry the equipment and materials to help any level of aquarium enthusiast get started or upgrade. They also take very good care of the fish they have, all looked healthy and well looked after - a huge plus for me. Overall, I would recommend anyone to come here, even if you’re just curious or looking to get started. I will return to this place in the future!”
— Mark Allan Jacob5.02 months ago“Great variety of fish and plants, knowledgeable staff”
— yassine bahammou5.03 months ago“Great collection of freshwater plants and nano fish.”
— Stephen Zepecki5.03 months ago“This is a great aquarium hobbyist shop with highly professional, knowledgeable staff. If you are considering starting a fish tank, particularly with interests in nano tanks, plants, and South American species, then this is this the place to go.”
— Jeffrey Liebert5.03 months ago“I love the fish, plants, employees, and the dogs especially”
— Jo Devivo (ParrotletOvO)5.04 months ago“It's an ok place. It's small. Most of their fish are small. But it's a nice place and had some good fish, even if small. Tanks look good and are healthy.”
— Darin Beard4.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (202) 506-5476 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Capital Exotic Fish.