Look, I haven't even been to this location, but I've been to Richard's store when it was on Kennilworth ave, and again on Baltimore ave, and again in Beltsville plaza. I see a lot of people pissing and whining about them not being friendly, and frankly, you're probably all ***kheads yourselves. If your fish died after you bought them here it was your own fault. You have to Q your own fish, you have to let the fish adjust to the temp of your tank. You can't just toss them in. If you don't know the aggression level of the fish you buy it's your fault. I've been in the hobby for well over 20 years, and I have learned everything I know about keeping fish from Richard and his wife; they weren't always friendly to me either. But if you ask the right questions and are genuinely interested in the hobby they have a wealth of knowledge. If you pay someone to clean your tank, don't shop here. read more

This store reeks of mold and none of the tanks are well maintained. Most of the fish that they have are in extremely poor health. Not to mention that the floor plan has a lot of the fish in odd corners where they go ages with out being taken care of. It's sad and out right disgusting the quality of life that the fish are in. Most of those fish look like they have been there long term and need to be in much larger tanks. When you walk into the store you are greeted by massive piranhas that are very sickly. Most if not all of the water in the tanks is a cloudy green which is not something that happens quickly that comes from long periods of time with over feeding, lack of water changes, poor filtration and a long list of neglect. You should be ashamed. read more

Place could be cleaner. Customer service needs work from owner, but shop lead is cool. They could be Bigger, with Better ventilation and shop would be great. But they have a nice mix of fish and switch it up every few weeks.. I been dealing with these owners since the 90s in Riverdale.. Price is always reasonable. Fish are healthy. They won't work with you much on prices, but they are consistent and always have a few rare fresh water fish. I've had a few fish not make it, but overall, good experience shopping with them regularly. read more

I can't imagine why the owner would keep his wife on staff. she is miserable. After he passed me off to her for help. she behaved as if I was wasting her time and had no business interrupting whatever she was doing in the corner. running off customers is not how you keep the doors open friend. The facility was horrifically filthy and hazardous. It's more convenient to take my projects and money somewhere else. (｀_´)ゞ read more

Buyer BEWARE!!! Terrible customer service sold me a $100 Koi fish that died in 24 hours: This company would not honor the purchase and replace the fish. This fish was in the pond with with other smaller Goldfish and all the other fish "lived". This place is rip-off the Koi fish they sold me was already sick and the sold it to me anyway! I have a beautiful pond with lots water features see picture attached read more

Beltway Aquarium - Outdoor pond - Aquariums Near Me - Waldorf, Maryland

Bought several hard to find fish from them and was very happy from the very senior owners. They are the last privately owned aquarium store in all of Southern Maryland, but the store shows its age and disrepair. They are the only store I've seen that sell dangerous fish, like piranhas. They are almost like a big city aquarium with some tanks with huge fish. They order fish directly from fish farms and stock the common young fish found in the chain stores read more

What a heartbreaking experience it was going into this store today. It is so cluttered and dirty and disgusting you can hardly walk. There were fish in home depot buckets on the ground practically folded in half because they're too big on the ground. There were tanks so dirty that you couldn't even see the fish inside! Turtles without heat lamps and no where to escape the water. Covered in their own poop. I really could go on. We left broken hearted for all the fish and aquatic creatures in there. I wish I could take them all home. read more

DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE! The customer service is horrible and the condition of the shop is equally as bad. Really wish I could give them zero stars. read more

I saw this place online and was like oh let's go check that out. Drove out there from Fairfax definitely would never buy anything from this pet store. All the tanks were filthy some of the fish you couldn't even see because the water was so dirty. And some of the fish were in tanks that were behind three or four other tanks, it was too cramped not enough space and it was just not a good experience. The one woman I asked a question about one of the fish didn't have a clue what I was talking about so they're not very knowledgeable either , I would definitely not recommend this store. It should be shut down and someone needs to go rescue all these poor fish! read more

Not the cleanest and not the most personable people but I am happy with my purchases made several trips to the store I was given the help I needed.The two older sales associates are there to help you and are quite knowledgeable.I am in Waldorf we don't have a lot to choose from so before you bash them on here let's be careful before we lose them. read more

Beltway Aquarium - Mdoka fish purchased two weeks ago. - Aquariums Near Me - Waldorf, Maryland

I have always tried to support this pet store because they are the last of a dying breed. The customer service is usually bad but not horrible. The last couple times I came I noticed my fish would die before or quickly after I got them home. I visited the store today for some feeders. I asked for some goldfish from one of the owners and was told they weren't for sale. They showed me some guppies that were for sale but in that tank there was also a sea of dead fish mended together by the fungus that eventually grows on dead fish. I asked if I could get my fish out of another fish tank and was told yes. I was told to wait there and noticed the person going towards the sea of dead fish to get my feeders. I said I didn't want them from that tank and she tried to convince me they were the same fish. After I stood my ground she shrugged her shoulders and walked out the back of the store. The store employee witnessed it all and quickly tried to get me some feeders from the healthy tank. The owner came back as he was finishing up and made him put the fish back. She continued to berate and speak negatively about me so I grabbed my camera phone and started recording. This old umpalumpa looking lady started hitting me with a fishnet and tried to grab me by my leg to knock me off balance and push me out the way. The other owner comes out and they act like I assaulted the lady. They finally agree to give me the fish out of the healthy tank but afterwards calls all the workers to the register and let's them know I am not welcome back if I post the video online. Please enjoy the videos read more

Beltway Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Waldorf, Maryland

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No problems with my purchase from this store Lady behind the counter is animated but friendly, lol. I would patronize this store again read more

I love this place. Now let me tell you what it's not. It's not neat or tidy and can be a little cramp. But with all that said they have the best fish for the flower horns and Africa cichlids hobbyist. My husband and I have spent $$$$$$$ on African cichlids from the fish aquarium stores in Montgomery County which died a few weeks later not to our negligence. Beltway aquarium has so many different species available every week. The prices are reasonable and the fish survive. My husband and I have not been disappointed yet. I say " Bravo" to them. If you want awesome, brilliant, one of kid different species and colors of fish. Check them out. They have saltwater and fresh water. read more

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Dirty store and real dirty fish tanks. The lighting was terrible. All fish for sale were very expensive.

The place is cramped, it smells horrible and the workers are a little bit questionable. "Shockingly" all of the fish that we have purchased from this store are tainted. I'm not saying you won't have better luck but buyers beware. read more

NOT WORTH THE HASSLE. Arrogant owner treated me disrespectful and all I could do was walk away. I've matured very well because in my younger days it would've been different read more

I am sold! This was my first visit here. Honestly, I was weary of visiting due to the reviews (I am semi new to the hobby) but was pleasantly surprised to find that the store (and owners) were AMAZING! The fish selection is unlike any I've seen (other than tv haha) and are beautiful! I was pretty much looking to do saltwater until I walked into this store! The tanks were all clean and fish all appeared healthy. The owners were very sweet and helpful to me and my (two, very rambunctious) kids. As soon as my new tank cycles - I'll be back here to buy my new fish babies and will recommend this store to all. read more

Do Not Give These People Your Business!! They are rude and unhelpful to their customers to the point where they think it's ok to physically assault another person, plus most of their merchandise is Poor quality. Avoid Avoid Avoid!! read more

So as far as selection goes this is the best you will find in southern Maryland without going all the way up to congressional aquariums or going to house of tropicals in Baltimore. But the fish are kept in subpar conditions and far less than optimal water parameters for each type of fish. Theyean well but desperately need help maintaining the tanks. Be cautious as you choose from what tank and make sure and drip your fish in to your aquarium very slowly or risk them dying within days from the drastic water differences they will go through. read more

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These people should be ashamed of themselves and their clear neglect for living things. Multiple tortoises in a tiny enclosure; no heat, no light, no hides, sharing one tiny dish of lettuce. Dead fish in almost every tank, tanks overrun with algae, aquatic frogs being clearly starved, the list goes on. I will never step foot in this place again. read more

This Fish store is the best!!! I've been buying fish from them for over 10yrs back when there store was in Capitol Plaza! Great Job Richard!! read more

This place is absolutely disgusting. The smell is horrible. The fish are living in filthy water. Dead fish floating in tanks, some half dead. I couldn't even see the turtles because the water was so gross. I must say, I've never seen anything like it and hope I never do again. If I could give it a negative 5, I would. read more

It might be a little cramped but rent isn't cheap. The green/blue tanks are meds.The big box stores never treat with meds and have ick and other outbreaks. Besides an all green tank covered in algae isn't harmful to the fish only unsightly to the fish keeper. Unhealthy fish don't breed. You can see the fry in their tanks. They keep discus which require strick water parameters. Check out pecos discus they hover at the top and are very sickly.The staff has never been rude the lady is very helpful. Your not followed around like in petco. Unlike petco the staff knows what they are talking about. I have been denied fish at petco because the staff didn't know how much the fish cost or the species. I have never lost a fish from Beltway. I wish I knew about them earlier as I've thrown away money at petco and petsmart on sickly fish. read more

I'm a fan of the selection of fish they have to offer but the customer service I would say is def subpar. 1st time wasn't a good experience, I felt like I was interrupting them from sitting behind the register doing nothing. Did seem eager to help or explain much. Second time was much better but I had to engage them once again to get them to help me and engage in conversation about what I thought was a mutual hobby or passion. Anyway, overall I would still recommend anyone who on this side of town to check Beltway Aquarium they have a nice selection of Cichlids, Arowona, Piranha's etc read more

Richard's prices have always been good and they've always had some of the best fish around the dmv ‍ no establishment is perfect. Everyone has flaws. You either shop there or you don't. read more

I use to go here a lot, when they we're located in greenbelt. The owner is a grouchy old man. Talks to people any type of way. Other than that, the fish are very good quality. I give the place a 2 because of the store owner attitude and manners. read more

Great selection of fish. The older lady in the store can be brash but she knows her fish.

Great place. The owner, Richard is knowledgeable and super helpful. I have been getting fish with them through three stores over 10 years in counting. You want the rare and exotics, this is the place to go! Just bought a bunch of super red Severums that no one else could get, thanks again. read more

Richard has almost any exotic fish you can think off and his prices are very reasonable, great selection

They sold me an injured fish that died within an hour after I put him in the tank. When I went back to the store the next day and explained what happened they were very nasty and rude and they wouldn't give me store credit or a refund. I DO NOT recommend anyone go to this store and spend money they are bottom feeders!!!!!!!!! read more

They care more about making money than the conditions for their fish. Everytime I go there the place is dirty, cramped, water is green, tanks covered in algae, dead fish in the tank and I saw one tank with about fifty small fish with most of their heads chewed up. I bought a Jack Dempsey and Texas Cichlid from a younger woman who assured me they would be ok in my African Cichlid tank. Come to find out that they were South American Cichlids and weren't supposed to go in with the Africans. The Texan died a week later and the Dempsey got Ick. He's currently being nursed back to health. We asked questions about the PH and temperature they need to be in prior to buying. I spoke with the owner and told him what happened. He said they keep their Africans at a lower PH and blamed it on possible fish aggression and size of different fish. Aggression wasn't the issue. The fish died because it required a lower PH. Richard refused to do anything to resolve the issue, not even take the sick Dempsey back and nurse to health. read more

Do not go here!! We were adding some cichlids to our tank and went here. They sold us a Jack Dempsey and Texas Cichlid knowing we had an African Cichlid tank. Because we were fairly new to a Cichlid tank, we asked a lot of questions. We told them the temperature, ph level, etc. They assured us that these fish would do well in our tank. We should have known not to listen to them when they had multiple tanks with dead fish and other live fish that had bites taken out of them. Sure enough, the Texas Cichlid died within a week and the JD got really sick. We nursed the JD back to health, but found out it needs a pH of 7.0, not 8.0 (our current ph.) We called them up to see what could be done to fix the situation and the man that answered (the owner), aruged with us about fish size and aggression. We told him this was not the issue. The issue was they sold us a fish that required different perameters than our current tank. And he refused to listen and eventually hung up on us! Do not waste you're time or money here. read more