About
Tucked into rural Catharpin, Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine is a family-run aquarium store that pulls hobbyists from hours away — some drive two-plus hours each way — and turns first visits into years of loyalty. The shop lives a double life: a serious Japanese koi operation and a deep saltwater reef section, with a well-stocked freshwater room rounding it out. The koi are the marquee draw.
An outdoor pool out front lets visitors, kids especially, feed the fish, and owner John is the kind of specialist who has diagnosed swim bladder disease and personally walked keepers through treatment — customers with a decade of koi experience say they learned more in a single afternoon than in ten years. If you've been searching for koi for sale in Catharpin, VA, this is a true destination, and recent visitors have also praised the selection of medaka rice fish. On the reef side, staff member Kyle is repeatedly singled out as the go-to expert: speccing out first Waterbox tanks, troubleshooting ammonia spikes, and curating livestock for established systems.
The coral inventory runs deep, including rare acropora frags, alongside peppermint shrimp, live rock, invertebrates, and reef-friendly fish. Recent shoppers have walked out with a citron goby, a Randall's pistol shrimp, and a watchman goby — all healthy and, by one account, already eating and clowning around on day one. Freshwater keepers aren't an afterthought either.
Reviewers have picked up Apistogramma cacatuoides, neocaridina shrimp, live plants, and bettas in hard-to-find colors; Emma, Irvin, and Michael help match stock to tanks, and one family credits the team with establishing their first planted betta tank. Whatever's available in Catharpin, VA on a given day, the tanks stay immaculately clean — a reliable tell of healthy fish. Prices land in the sweet spot regulars rave about, and the dry goods section covers equipment, food, and water products with Waterbox aquariums featured prominently.
What truly sets this Catharpin fish store apart is the consultative, relationship-first approach — the staff build long-term trust rather than just ring up a sale.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine in Catharpin, VA
Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine stocks koi, corals, reef fish, betta fish, shrimp, invertebrates, live rock, aquarium plants and freshwater, saltwater & pond fish for sale in Catharpin, VA. As an aquarium store serving Catharpin, VA, it also carries dry goods and offers aquarium consultations, water testing and aquarium setup.
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-run specialist in both Japanese koi and saltwater reef livestock
- Outdoor koi pool out front where visitors can feed the fish
- Deep coral inventory including rare acropora, plus reef-friendly fish, gobies, and peppermint/pistol shrimp
- Waterbox aquarium dealer with reef consultation from setup to stocking, led by Kyle and owner John
- Freshwater stock includes Apistogramma cacatuoides, neocaridina shrimp, medaka, rare betta colors, and live plants
From keepers
Customer reviews
“AMAzing”
— Carter5.02 days ago“Great quality, selection and care of koi, saltwater/ freshwater fish/ inverts/ coral. I was amazed in the value and health of the stock, top notch. Picked up a Citron Goby/ Alpheus Randalli shrimp and Watchman Goby today. The Citron is already eating and being a clown, thanks much all!”
— Matt Nichols5.03 days ago“Amazing store, Beautiful fish. Everyone that works there is very knowledgeable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!”
— Viet Dang5.04 weeks ago“Great specimens at reasonable prices.”
— Steven Catanzaro5.0Edited a month ago“Absolutely incredible experience. Staff is knowledgeable. They gave my family the time and attention. We needed to make a perfect pet forever.”
— EMBRACE theTEAM5.0Edited a month ago“Great people and experience. Highly recommend them.”
— Corey Wallach5.0a month ago“I ordered a piece of coral from Blue Ribbon and will say these guys are top notch. Fast shipping well packaged and great communication through the whole process. They have gained a new customer. Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine Thank you and look forward to doing more bussiness. I highly recommend!!!!!”
— Ryan E5.0a month ago“Great selections of medaka”
— Yuan Tony5.02 months ago“Great place to find a little bit of everything!”
— Esteban Tassen5.04 months ago“Extremely helpful in helping us establish our first tank for our Betta with live plants.”
— Elizabeth Grubbs5.04 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (703) 753-7566 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine.