About
Tucked into an older building in Richmond, Virginia, Azalea Aquariums is the kind of local fish store that rewards the curious. Walk past the cash register — seriously, keep going — and you'll discover two additional rooms packed with tanks spanning freshwater, saltwater, and brackish species. The layout is unconventional, looping behind the counter through a U-shaped backroom corridor, but that quirky floor plan is part of the charm, and it means there's far more stock than first impressions suggest.
Freshwater is where Azalea really shines. Cichlid enthusiasts will find a solid and growing selection, particularly South American varieties, with African cichlids expanding over time. Angelfish are a popular draw — one customer scooped up four angels and a school of silver dollars across multiple visits, helped by staffers Nick, Sabrina, and Seth.
Bettas, platys, and other livebearers fill community tanks, and there's a selection of live plants alongside the livestock, though some shoppers note the plants tend to run small for the price. The saltwater side features corals and marine fish, though it's a smaller operation compared to the freshwater inventory. Staff members like Pam and Nick are consistently praised for their depth of knowledge — Pam in particular has earned a loyal following, with customers driving 30-plus minutes just for her guidance on tank cycling, fish temperament, and stocking compatibility.
The team offers water testing and takes genuine care during checkout, selecting proper male-to-female ratios for livebearers and adding oxygen to bags based on how far you're driving home. Prices run higher than big-box stores, but the fish arrive healthy and the staff stands behind their sales — one customer had the wrong species swapped out without hesitation. The building shows its age, and a little algae grows on the tanks, but longtime hobbyists appreciate that as a sign of a real working fish store.
Follow them on social media for new arrival announcements, and plan to spend more time browsing than you expected.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Water TestingConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Three interconnected rooms with freshwater, saltwater, and brackish species
- Strong South American and African cichlid selection with growing inventory
- Knowledgeable long-term staff including Pam and Nick who provide personalized guidance
- Water testing and thoughtful checkout practices including oxygen for transport
- Fish guarantee policy with hassle-free exchanges
From keepers
Customer reviews
“The staff was great... they helped with water testing, fish endgame size and temperament. They talked about their personal aquariums, very knowledgeable and friendly. Nice store with a good variety and pricing, healthy fish... it's not a big box store so it's not pristine waters and shelves... which i don't care for because most fish are from the mud stream, rivers, lakes, etc so a lil algae and detritus means they're home and can survive owners (reg busy/lazy ppl). Will definitely shop there again.”
— Wallace West Jr5.02 weeks ago“In my experience, with the exception of the young woman whose name escapes me, the customer service is lacking. I think they fail to realize there are other fish stores and as much as it depends on me, I plan to take my business elsewhere.”
— Danielle Powell1.0a month ago“Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Good selection of fish, both fresh and salt.”
— d m5.0a month ago“did not like store”
— Dillon B1.02 months ago“Great little stores. Its kind of awkward to have to go behind counter and through backroom to get to the other section. But a nice place overall”
— Jerry Gwaltney4.03 months ago“Amazing fish farm!!! I’ve bought a lot of my supplies here, great quality! The fish are token cared for very well here and are healthy.”
— Noah McHenry5.04 months ago“Polite staff”
— Silas Nguyen4.05 months ago“Tanks and store were dirty as well as hot. Staff not friendly.”
— gymmom1.05 months ago“There were limited freshwater fish species. When I got there majority of the species were very very small. We didn't have a chance to even check out the saltwater side due to AC units were being worked on. But what I did notice on a few common species of Freshwater species prices were a little higher than most places. This place has alot of potential.”
— Stephen Wells3.06 months ago“It's always a pleasure shopping here🙂”
— LeRone Goodman5.06 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (804) 329-5126 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Azalea Aquariums.