Reviews of Blue Ribbon Koi & Marine (Fish Shop)

David Mankin

Friendly, expert help & good prices make this a favorite place for reef keepers. A+

Duane Boswell

Not really worth the time or drive. Before they moved, it was a nice place. But not any more.

Jakob Edwinn

Friendly and informative staff! Wonderful singers.

Donnakern

Kpi kisses and out of this world fish

Gene

Was skeptical at first due to the lack of quality LFS in my area however I was told good things from a fellow hobbyist. When I made the trip down I was greeted by tons of koi ponds that were clean and healthy. When I entered there were 2 beautiful display tanks with healthy coral and fish. Their clownfish selection is second to none and even had some orange storms. Although there were few fish there coral selection was insane with great prices. Staff there is very nice and informative. Equipment there is very nice as well. All in all it was a very clean and quality store and is now one of my staple LFSs.

Stephen Ferguson

Nice store with a good selection. Lots of nice clownfish to choose from. Owner is very knowledgeable freindly.

Jacob Waters

I have gone to their store several times over the last year and a half and they have helped me so much. When I started my first salt water tank I was very frustrated because everything I was buying at petco would die and they just kept selling more fish saying that it will work itself out but they never asked me any questions just sold me more fish. After spending several hundred dollars there I got fed up and was going to leave the hobby and sell all of my equipment but then I found blue ribbon koi on a salt water fish forum I joined and so I made the trip in there and everyone was very nice and willing to help me get to the root of my problem. The owner is very nice and knowable and he was always willing to answer any of my questions no matter how simple they were. And the biggest thing for me was the fact that he told me not buy anything else till the tank stabilized, They tested my water and gave me their recommendations and I followed them and finally I had a tank I could be proud of. Most recent I went in their last friday to pick up some snails and saw 2 of the most vibrant angels I have ever seen and went back the next day to pick them up. I could not be more pleased with the store. Their store is always organized and they always have knowledgeable staff willing to take the time needed to help you with any question. Every time I go in their, the floors are clean and tanks look crystal clear. They always have excellent stock and everything is healthy and they will feed them right infront of you so you can see them eating before you buy. If it was not for them I would not have continued in this hobby but now I have 6 tanks and many more im my future plans. Thank you so much for all that you do and keep up the great work. If you have never been there I highly recommend you go because they will not disappoint you trust me.

Jeff Conley

Unreasonable prices and (one) inconsiderate employee... Saltwater conditions are not that great.. Will not buy saltwaterfish from there again

ashkan soroushi

By far the best marine salt water shop in the metropolitan area⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you are a experienced marine tank owner or just looking to get into the hobby this should be your first stop. I have personally gone to ever fish/pet store in the area and there are about 7 and Blue Koi by far is the best.. there selection of coral,fish and inverts is excellent and the owner and staff are fantastic. They always take the time to help me and if I need something they don't have they will get it. Most importantly the quality of there live stock is excellent. I have never purchased or received a sick fish or infected coral and they get weekly delivery of only the best fish and coral! I also thought is was really cool that they always stock A GRADE premium clowns fish aka nemo so if your looking for something special check them out. You won't be disappointed

Matt Owens

Great coral selection

Nick L

The store is Great for Saltwater fish (and koi!). I'm a saltwater guy, I checked out there store not to long ago and the girl there as like a walking encyclopedia about fish; she knew everything and was very, very helpful. While their selection of saltwater is about 3 full aisles, the quality of fish is just amazing. There fish are healthy, and they eat, because they were huge! The prices for there fish were great too. This store is probably the best in the northern VA area (marine scene is the only one that comes close). Centreville Aquarium and Aquatic obsession don't even come close to this store. Visit it, its worth the drive.

Fred Mentzel

Excellent saltwater livestock, coral, dry goods and supplies. Also impressive koi. Friendly staff and especially helpful and knowledgeable owner. Affectionate store cat roams the store.

Neil Young

John is friendly and knowledgeable on reef tanks. I can't speak to his koi knowledge since I know nothing about koi, but he has a huge selection of them too.

Margaret Sawwa

My husband and I have been a customers for the past 7 years and are lucky enough to count BRK as our LFS. Love the selection of livestock, gear, food and everything else you may ever want – they have it. John is always a wealth of information and advice and happily willing to share it. Always had a great experience with anyone who works there. Great prices on livestock and always have something cool and unique. Never had issues with livestock after purchase, unlike some other places we shopped. The other day I even went shopping for water tests with my daughter for her science project. John was there and super helpful w/all the testing needed for the fresh water project. Both of us walked out impressed, very happy and fully equipped to do the project.

Carlos Estrada

Awesome variety of fish! They had some amazing products to make any fish tank trully stand out. Great place for any fish fanatic.

Dave Whritenour

Great selection, experienced staff, and competitive pricing.

Danny O

After going around the area and finding corals that are way overpriced, I’ve found this shop to be the best. The Best Prices and Best customer service. Always willing to help and answer questions and give advice. Will definitely keep coming here for corals!

Nerfer 217

One of the better aquarium stores I've been too. They have a very friendly staff that made pur conversation feel personal. Great pricing on their corals and fish. Definitely going to be coming back. >>>---------->

Ahmed Mustafa

Helpful staff. Lots to choose from.

Abbie Bresnahan

I feel like this is a hidden treasure...my boyfriend and I do our best to stop here every time we pass by. We always have the best time talking to John. He is very knowledgable and passionate about the aquarium hobby. He cares for the wide range of salt water fish, corals, and koi fish. Everything at Blue Ribbon Koi is always of great quality and health. I definitely would recommend stopping here even if you have to go out of your way!

Kevin spacey

Wow i live in woodbridge va.. ive been to all the reef stores around northern virginia.. Some have very rude staff.. some have dirty corals.. but all of them have really overpriced corals. Im talking about gut wrenching wallet busting prices... Its insaine how much corals are in this hobby.. You can spend 65$ on a little tiny nub of a coral.. im talking a sliver.. and im tired of it When i went here... I was shocked at how clean all their frag tanks were.. and how many coral frags they had. BUT the biggest thing is how much their frags are. For example at quantum reefs the owner sells cyphastrea corals for 65$ for little nubs, this place sells them for 20-30$ and they are HUGE growing off the plugs. Quantum reefs or capitol aquarium wants 65-100$ for tiny tiny frags of acropora.. This place sells hugee acropora im talking 4 inchs long for 75-100$. They had torch corals for only 30$........ yea in quantum the guy wanted 90$ for his tiny torch corals.. Believe it or not i would actually buy my corals in petco in dale city because of how overpriced shops were. they can order ORA frags and have better prices then local stores.. but now that i discovered blue koi ill be coming here from now on. Another thing i liked is their frags are under T5 lights.. not LEDS.. its very frustrating how shops put corals under LEDS and juice then up under heavy blue un realistic LEDS only to discover the coral in reality doesnt look like that.. (unless of course you run a solid deep blue led tank which is ugly as sin ) Also the young woman who greeted me mentioned if there is anything i liked in their display tanks they can frag it for me. What store is willing to frag from the display tank ?? NONE I didnt look at their fish selection as i got caught up in conversation with a fellow customer and the store closed kind of early.. So i need to go back and check it out. I did look at their Koi though and they all looked pretty healthy.. prior to getting into salt water fish i did fresh water for 20 years and i know KOI can be pretty difficult to keep as they get alot of diseases.. there KOI looked really happy. The only downside is they are pretty far away but thats ok. Im never going to any of the other stores ever again. EVER. I would have also liked to see maybe some more zoanthids. But i cant complain at all man. Edit: i wasnt expecting a response let alone an offer to replace a coral im having issues with but i decided to esit my post in response to his. John thanks for your offer. Edit: 2nd edit.. I went back in the store and zjohn replaced a sick coral for me. He was really nice and put up with me asking what is this and how much is that questions lol.. I kinda lurk in stores fir a few hours making decisions too.. im not an impulse buyer. I bought 4 more corals today on top of the two i got the other day.. LOL so far spent nearly 200$ if i keep going im gonna be broke!!! .. ahh this hobby is so addicting. Anyway... i highely reccomend everyone come here... trust me.. you wont regret the drive.. Its very much worth it.. You can also check out the historic manassas cival war battlefields too while youre her.

Jeff Smith

I recently went to blue ribbon for saltwater tank supplies and live rock. They have a beautiful store with helpful staff, and very healthy looking fish and coral. I found their prices better than competitors, it was worth the drive, I will be back. Thanks also to the staff for prompt email communications with me before I visited about type of supplies and pricing.

Michael Chesley

Blue Ribbon is now my “go to” aquatics location. Well maintained tanks with a great selection of SPS and LPS corals…all very healthy, and nicely priced. A great stock of dry goods, supplies, and equipment. And, a friendly, knowledgeable staff that love to chat and share information. Thanks!!

A Brad

Great store friendly staff, prices are a bit high but they are okay.

Hawk Hawkins

Awesome they are great people ask for John

Davileet T

Really like going to this store. The koi in front are great enjoyment for my family and I. The main reef tank displays are awesome, and I am entirely jealous of the corals within. The selection of fish and corals is great. Really like the owner, he is a good person to talk to and has always treated me right.

B Raj

I love going to this place ...

Shari Myerson

Nice place, very spacious and well lit. Most staff are knowledgeable enough and friendly. Prices are extremely competitive and will beat or match other stores prices. Fish are very healthy. Nice selection of dry goods and frozen foods. Nice alternative to other local marine suppliers. The hours are a bit odd as they are closed Monday through Wednesday. Definitely worth the trip.

Nancy Crespo

Great place to buy alll koi supplies for pond or saltwater fish supplies

Meghan Campbell

Large selection of coral and fish, very well kept tanks. Staff could be a little more enthusiastic. I'm never greeted and usually need to flag down an employee to get some help.

Spyder Byte

Didn't think it was a marine fish store due to name but it's a amazing place

Adrian Clements

Fantastic

Philip Sowers

Great selection and occasional specials on fish and coral.

Ben Russell

Excellent service.

Mark Holmes

Great Koi and salt water fish

ROBERT MEYERS

This place is amazing! Great service! Knowledgeable staff. Great inventory.

Gail Kapusnick

A friend asked me to pick up some "Fish Mox" for her, said any aquarium store would have it. Well, not this one. Apparently 3pm Thurs is prime fish shopping time as no one was available to help. One girl said she was unfamiliar with the stuff but would have someone come talk to me. After 10 min I gave up and left as the smell in the store was giving me a headache. I went to Petsmart instead. They didn't have the Fish Mox either but at least I was able to get something.

C Chitty

I have been a customer of Blue Ribbon for the last twelve years, or so. The customer service that you get from the staff is second to none. The knowledge that John and Bob have about koi and how to care for them and their ability to diagnose water quality issues is the best!! Their knowledge is priceless, and something you won't find in a big box store that may charge a little less for a product. You won't find a better place to do business with!!

Kaitlin Price

Great selection of coral, salt water fish, sw tank maintenance tools, sw and fresh water tanks, fw tank maintenance and of course the best and biggest koi fish around! The staff is always so friendly and available for your questions. The best fish store around!

Elia C. Lee Chambers

Sean is an extraordinary expert in the marine aquatic trade! I had an issue with a leather coral that was losing the battle with a very aggressive zoanthid colony. His suggestions were very helpful and he spotted another issue that I was unaware. Absolutely excellent. I've never done this before via Facebook. Great job.

Tom Land

BRK is among the longest-lived local shops serving the marine and reefing communities in Northern Virginia. They're also a strong supporter of WAMAS, the largest regional club for saltwater enthusiasts. Great stuff. Knowledgeable owner. Recommended.