About
Centreville Aquarium has carved out a loyal following in Northern Virginia's fishkeeping community, drawing customers from as far as Sterling for its broad selection of freshwater and saltwater livestock. Owner Dave and his trained staff are regularly praised for their deep knowledge of water parameters, compatibility, and planted tank setups — walking customers through substrate choices, dosing schedules, lighting, and filtration with genuine patience. The freshwater side is where this shop particularly shines.
Reviewers highlight healthy discus, vibrant glo fish, dwarf crayfish, corydoras, and a variety of tetras. The store also stocks both Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp, a pleasant surprise for nano tank enthusiasts. Live plants and natural hardscape rocks are available for aquascapers looking to build natural layouts.
On the saltwater side, the selection is more modest — one customer noted wanting a wider coral offering — but the staff will take special orders, placing customers on a request list for specific species like the African Flameback Angel at competitive prices. Equipment-wise, the store carries Fluval tanks alongside a solid range of food, supplies, and dry goods. Staff are happy to guide newcomers through their first tank setup or help experienced hobbyists troubleshoot established systems.
There are caveats worth noting. Several reviewers reported disease issues after purchasing fish, suggesting the store's quarantine protocols may not always be airtight. The warranty policy — two days on freshwater, none on saltwater — has frustrated some customers when problems emerged after the window closed.
Weekend visits can also test your patience; limited hours and staffing mean wait times of up to an hour on busy Sundays. Despite these concerns, the store's competitive pricing, extensive freshwater variety, and genuinely engaged staff keep a strong base of regulars coming back. For planted tank enthusiasts and freshwater hobbyists in the Centreville area, it remains a go-to destination that outpaces the big box stores in both selection and expertise.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Strong freshwater selection including discus, tetras, corydoras, and dwarf crayfish
- Stocks both Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp for nano tank hobbyists
- Staff provides detailed planted tank guidance covering substrate, dosing, lighting, and filtration
- Special order request list for hard-to-find saltwater species at competitive prices
- Owner Dave personally trains staff to ensure knowledgeable customer interactions
From keepers
Customer reviews
“My husband absolutely loves this place! He’s pretty much always here, and I can see why — the staff is knowledgeable , the selection is amazing, and the atmosphere is so welcoming. Highly recommend!””
— Alexandra flores5.034 minutes ago“I go to Centreville for all my fish needs. Dave always knows what to give me to maintain my tanks and cares about each person that comes in. He trains his employees well so that anyone can help you when you go in.”
— Angela Fu5.04 days ago“The people there are "nice," but the only time I ever had ick in any tank (had it multiple times), salt or fresh, was from stuff I've bought there. While you can get stuff there perhaps cheaper than elsewhere, buyer beware...I feel like there are other stores who do a much better job of quarantining and have better advice/insight...”
— Louis Barkan1.0a week ago“Friendly staff, ok prices”
— Julian Bui3.0Edited a week ago“Great selection, got my plants, fish, and shrimp from here and they are doing awesome over a year later. Staff are friendly and helpful if you have questions. They have nice rocks which is great for natural scapes.”
— Derek Lore5.03 weeks ago“Incredible selection of fish, and plants, as well as welcoming staff. Definitely recommend coming in!”
— Saul G5.0a month ago“To get a few small fish for a new aquarium”
— Colleen McQueeney5.02 months ago“This store is NO GOOD DO NOT BUY FISH FROM THEM THEY HAVE NO WARRANTY ON THEIR SALTWATER FISH AND 2 DAYS ON FRESHWATER FISH. They are nice when you buy fish but are rude when something happens to the fish within a week. BOYCOTT THIS STORE THEY ARE HORRIBLE.”
— Tony Lalande1.02 months ago“Great customer service and fish selection! We always get the dwarf crayfish from here.”
— Camila Han5.03 months ago“epic place. staff were very nice and helped me and there were a lot of fish to enjoy.”
— Dustin Shi5.03 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (703) 266-2100 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Centreville Aquarium.