Richmond Aquarium LLC

I rarely ever leave negative reviews, but after driving 2.5 hours to this pet store, I felt it was important to share my experience. The website advertises the business as “Virginia’s Largest Marine Aquarium Specialty Company,” so I had high expectations and was genuinely excited to purchase live fish and coral for our saltwater tank. The display tanks themselves were very clean and visually impressive, but the majority of them were empty. The coral tank was lightly stocked with mostly very basic pieces, which was surprising given the company’s advertising. Over the past 30 days, we have visited several marine and saltwater pet stores across the NOVA, Roanoke, and Richmond areas, and this location unfortunately had the smallest selection of all of them. The employee we interacted with was friendly and helpful and offered to order anything we wanted, which was appreciated. However, based on the way the store is marketed, we were expecting a much larger selection and more impressive displays. While the store may have the potential to live up to its title in the future, this visit was the complete opposite of what we expected if you are looking to see a wide variety of marine inventory in person.

I can't give them an honest review on fish quality or product knowledge because I was never acknowled. No welcome, hi, hello, be right with you... Nothing. So my review is based strictly on the lack of service I received. I will not be back.

Very friendly and helpful staff.

Great staff!!

Drove 40 minutes one way for them to be closed at 3pm on a Monday.

These people don’t have the knowledge to be selling fish or giving advice. After 2 weeks my once beautiful, happy fish was lethargic and looked bloated. I was told he was bored and I should switch up his tank (by 2 different people). After only 2 weeks? I pointed out didn’t he look bloated? Nope. I told him I’m feeding Einstein a few pellets once every other day and 1/4 of a blood worm cube once every other day, on alternate days from the pellets. I was told to feed him more, 1/2 a frozen cube instead. So I gave him more blood worms that day. Two days later Einstein was dead. I did my own research afterwards and read that bettas can get bloated from too many bloodworms, and should just get a 2-3 worms, defrosted, once a week. On a side note, each time I went in there for supplies, they would recommend something, but when I wanted to buy it, I was told they were out of it. I purposely went to a store that I thought would have more knowledge than a chain store. I was wrong. This was my birthday present from my family. Sad memories instead. When I went to the store afterwards to tell them my fish died after just 3 weeks, the employee responded, “Oh”.

Knowledgeable staff who always have a positive energy I go there.

Staff was very helpful! Great selection and fair prices. All of the tanks were clean and animals were happy and healthy.