Best fish seller (local)

[Djplus1]

As title says, who locally is the best for fish (variety/health/reputation) in the DC and Baltimore metro areas? It seems most/all the shops that were around 10+ years ago are no more.

[miggs76]

I like reefescape because they QT everything.  They won't let you buy anything from the QT section.  However, you are going to pay more than other stores. 

[Djplus1]

5 minutes ago, miggs76 said:

I like reefescape because they QT everything.  They won't let you buy anything from the QT section.  However, you are going to pay more than other stores. 

Define "more expensive"? Like a 25% upcharge or double/triple price? Ultimately I'm not super sensitive on price as this is a Waterbox 45.2 so I don't see myself adding more than 6-7 small fish.

Edited April 7 by Djplus1

[YHSublime]

Expensive is relative. You're going to pay more for QT'd, especially prophylactically treated fish. I honestly don't know how anybody can do it properly with a brick and mortar overhead, and make money. 

 

- I agree with Miggs, Reefescape is doing a great job. Visited the store for the first time last month, and it's one of the cleanest shops I've been to in a while. 

- Capital Exotic Fish is in the process of breaking down all their saltwater stuff in DC, might check with them and see if they have any fish left. 

- Exotic Reef Creations I think has slowed down/possibly stopped all together on their fish. As far as I know, they were the only local place that was doing a 100% proper QT. I also don't know very many hobbyists that properly QT everything that goes into their tanks anyways, don't know how important that is to you. 

- Blue Ribbon Koi, but I have not had much interaction with them since I moved to MD 5 years ago. 

- Supreme Reefs does fish, but I have not had much interaction with them since I moved to MD 5 years ago. 

 

[Djplus1]

58 minutes ago, YHSublime said:

Expensive is relative. You're going to pay more for QT'd, especially prophylactically treated fish. I honestly don't know how anybody can do it properly with a brick and mortar overhead, and make money. 

 

- I agree with Miggs, Reefescape is doing a great job. Visited the store for the first time last month, and it's one of the cleanest shops I've been to in a while. 

- Capital Exotic Fish is in the process of breaking down all their saltwater stuff in DC, might check with them and see if they have any fish left. 

- Exotic Reef Creations I think has slowed down/possibly stopped all together on their fish. As far as I know, they were the only local place that was doing a 100% proper QT. I also don't know very many hobbyists that properly QT everything that goes into their tanks anyways, don't know how important that is to you. 

- Blue Ribbon Koi, but I have not had much interaction with them since I moved to MD 5 years ago. 

- Supreme Reefs does fish, but I have not had much interaction with them since I moved to MD 5 years ago. 

 

Looks like I'll be planning a quick drive by of a couple VA spots soon. I was going to contact monkiboy, but I also noticed that his last posts from a while back seem to lean towards no longer being in business. Supreme Reefs, Reefescape and BRK are close enough to hit up in one day so I guess a little recon mission is imminent. And where in MD are you? I'm up in Sykesville so nothing particularly close other than CTE Aquatics (Timonium), Aquatic Creations (Ijamsville) and House of Tropicals (Glen Burnie)

[Squishie89]

When I messaged exotic reef creations for fish a few months ago he had gotten out of the quarantining fish business. 

I use Reef Escape now. 

[ReeferMan]

Tropical Exotics just opened in Dale city. They QT their fish

 

 

[YHSublime]

48 minutes ago, Djplus1 said:

Looks like I'll be planning a quick drive by of a couple VA spots soon. I was going to contact monkiboy, but I also noticed that his last posts from a while back seem to lean towards no longer being in business. Supreme Reefs, Reefescape and BRK are close enough to hit up in one day so I guess a little recon mission is imminent. And where in MD are you? I'm up in Sykesville so nothing particularly close other than CTE Aquatics (Timonium), Aquatic Creations (Ijamsville) and House of Tropicals (Glen Burnie)

I’m in Hyattsville. About a mile from the NE DC line, and college park the other way. 
 

Tropical Lagoon in Silver Spring is probably closest, but I only buy food from there.

 

I’m still a big coral guy, I’m down to a 33 gallon tank, so I’ve got 2 ORA clowns that I’ve had for a decade, and a captive bred cardinal fish. 

[Djplus1]

50 minutes ago, ReeferMan said:

Tropical Exotics just opened in Dale city. They QT their fish

 

 

Wow, as in JUST opened, like 2 days ago, lol. 

[lowsingle]

I use reef escape exclusively in the area and have always been pleased with my purchases.  I have never had any issue with their fish bringing a disease into my tank.  That is worth any difference in cost, which isn’t that much anyway.  When I purchase online for rare varieties of fish, I quarantine myself and it is a giant pain in the butt.

 

Darren

 

[miggs76]

22 hours ago, Djplus1 said:

Define "more expensive"? Like a 25% upcharge or double/triple price? Ultimately I'm not super sensitive on price as this is a Waterbox 45.2 so I don't see myself adding more than 6-7 small fish.

well they were selling small foxface for 190.  This is obviously more expensive than liveaquaria who sell for around 100.  I have never had a fish die from Reefescape early.  I mean they have died but that was of "old age" years later.  That is why I'm ok with the upcharge.  On another note, they have stepped up their coral game and it is much better than 2-3 years ago.

[FishingandReefing]

Wow, as in JUST opened, like 2 days ago, lol. 

Has anyone being there? If so how are they? Price and variety of saltwater fish and corals… etc


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[Djplus1]

So to report back, as I did my tour yesterday of BRK, Supreme Reefs and Reef Escape. The fish selection of all three was for lack of a better word, underwhelming. I'm not sure how many here used to go to Aquarium One in Rockville, but I was hoping to see a fish selection like that. I did just see a FB post about Fintastic in Frederick (which I had forgotten all about), has anyone been there recently? I know it at least was owned/operated by the old GM of Aquarium One.

[Squishie89]

3 hours ago, Djplus1 said:

So to report back, as I did my tour yesterday of BRK, Supreme Reefs and Reef Escape. The fish selection of all three was for lack of a better word, underwhelming. I'm not sure how many here used to go to Aquarium One in Rockville, but I was hoping to see a fish selection like that. I did just see a FB post about Fintastic in Frederick (which I had forgotten all about), has anyone been there recently? I know it at least was owned/operated by the old GM of Aquarium One.

I was there maybe 2 or 3 months ago. I don't know how to really gauge fish selection as I don't buy unquarantined fish anymore and usually I have to order them. Maybe they have a bit more than reef escape? And yeah, new owner as of like 2 or 3 years ago. He does put out a newsletter like weekly of the fish/inverts/corals he has. 

Edited April 27 by Squishie89

[DarStar301]

Fintastic's success can be inconsistent, as they do not quarantine any fish. It appears that they receive shipments throughout the week and immediately offer them for sale. I have experienced losses with several fish purchased from them during the quarantine process and have since opted to order from alternative suppliers.

[Djplus1]

On 4/27/2025 at 9:34 PM, DarStar301 said:

Fintastic's success can be inconsistent, as they do not quarantine any fish. It appears that they receive shipments throughout the week and immediately offer them for sale. I have experienced losses with several fish purchased from them during the quarantine process and have since opted to order from alternative suppliers.

Good to know. However, I sincerely doubt anywhere (other than Reef Escape) quarantines at all. Maybe they hold fish for a few more days to prevent borderline DOA sales, so perhaps Fintastic is guilty of that. Do you personally feel better getting fish from an online retailer like Live Aquaria or BRS? I just like seeing them so I don't get something WAY bigger than I thought (has happened to me before, lol) or with some scarring or torn fins, etc.

[DaJMasta]

LiveAquaria has really dropped in quality in the last year or two, my last order, more than a year ago, arrived without even a styrofoam box, just loose packed in some crumpled paper (no additional bag around the fish bags either) with a heat pack.  The bags were in the 50s, the cardboard box was thin (no impact protection), the crumpled paper was wet, and when I went to post about it on reef2reef, the responses I got were all similar experiences/sentiments.

 

I hope they turn themselves around, but they are certainly not the quality they once were.

[cpeguero]

I know the original thread was looking for local, but since someone posted about online orders and fully QT’s fish, TSM Aquatics (up in New Jersey) does a full QT of fish. I’ve ordered from them and been happy with the service. If you live (or ship to a FedEx pickup) in MD, you get cheaper shipping, or at least used to be that way. 
 

I’ve bought several fish from Reef Escape as well and been happy too. 

[FishingandReefing]

I just want to know how’s the price at Capitol Exotics and if they have a lot of variety. Really don’t want to spent 2.5 hours round trip there ended up overpriced and nothing in there.


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[Squishie89]

37 minutes ago, FishingandReefing said:

I just want to know how’s the price at Capitol Exotics and if they have a lot of variety. Really don’t want to spent 2.5 hours round trip there ended up overpriced and nothing in there.


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Capital Exotics is getting out of the saltwater game. Not sure what is left but I know the owner plans on bringing what is left to the May meeting and is considering all offers

[FishingandReefing]

My bad, I meant the new fish store in dale city va.


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[Squishie89]

Ah okay, yeah I haven't made it out there. I'm not near Woodbridge like ever. 

[FishingandReefing]

Wonder if tropical exotic carry live brine shrimps as I might visit them this Sunday.


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[ranger]

Tropical lagoon is far and away the cheapest with the best looking fish to me.

Ihave bought 3 dozen fish over the years with not 1 problem.

Stay away from hot for fish....they are the worst.

Cte very bad selection poor health.

Go fish has healthy fish been in the business forever.

There is a petco  in gb that i get some cheap fish that i have good luck with

 they also get some cheap uchins.

My 2 cents.

[ranger]

Aquatics creations has fiish that are in his system for some time so if its a tang

and you dump and prey thats a good choice....also

Ilike cheaper fish that why i like trop lagoon.