Azalea Aquariums

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.