Vienna Aquarium & Pets

Tucked into Leesburg, Virginia, Vienna Aquarium & Pets is a family-run operation where owner Chris and his son Ryan have built a loyal following across the Northern Virginia aquarium community — some customers driving over an hour to avoid the box stores. This is a true dedicated fish shop, not a chain pet store with an aquarium aisle bolted on, and the difference shows in the quality of livestock and depth of expertise on offer. The store covers serious ground across freshwater, saltwater, and pond keeping.

Their koi selection is a standout draw, with beautiful butterfly koi and knowledgeable guidance on pond design and filtration systems. Cichlid enthusiasts will find species here that are hard to track down at typical retail outlets, and the betta selection includes eye-catching varieties like pearl white koi bettas. Cherry shrimp, blue crayfish, engineer gobies, guppies, and an array of live aquatic plants round out a diverse inventory that reviewers consistently describe as healthy and well-maintained.

What sets Vienna Aquarium apart is the consultative approach. Chris is known for walking customers through tank setup and ecosystem dynamics rather than just pushing product. Multiple reviewers note that he prioritizes helping people build stable, thriving tanks — a philosophy that extends to pond projects, where his expertise in filtration and water gardening has earned dedicated fans.

The store also partners with Capital Aquariums for mobile aquarium services, giving customers a path from initial setup to long-term maintenance. The shop carries a solid range of equipment, driftwood, rocks, and aquascaping supplies alongside the livestock. Reviewers have picked up powerheads, complete 20-gallon setups, and various hardscape materials.

Prices on livestock are generally seen as reasonable, though some equipment purchases have drawn complaints about markups, so it's worth comparing on bigger-ticket items. For aquarium hobbyists in the Leesburg area and across NOVA, Vienna Aquarium & Pets delivers the kind of personalized, knowledgeable service and healthy stock that keeps people coming back for years.