(2/3/26) Please support small businesses over Big box pet stores. I went to this store to get hardscape for my 10g nano tank. If you are interested in aquascaping, this store has a variety of rocks and wood. For only $7.60, I left with 4 small pieces of Mopani wood and 5 small river rocks. Aquatic Creations stands out from other fish stores because of its giant koi tank. I will be returning to this store in the near future. read more

A few years ago our son became obsessed with tanks and we started frequenting the local stores. Many stores in the area have better curb appeal, but the fish here are healthier than any other store. Period. Don't listen to the negative reviews. We have had negative experiences with most of the other fish stores in the area, including the more commercial ones. After a number of years of doing this, we are pretty discerning customers when it comes to fish and plant health. We highly recommend this store. Look past the exterior and Mr. Bill's gruff demeanor at first. He knows his stuff for sure. Take the time. It is worth it. read more

The healthiest fish and most knowledgeable and ethical owner in the tri-state area. I drive one hour to get there because I know that its worth it. This place is a gem. Disregard any negative reviews from Karens who can't or won't control their children from putting their hands in tanks. Respect the owner's hours and establishment. You will be rewarded with the best advice and healthiest tanks. Frank Neuber Boyce, Virginia read more

Written during COVID-19. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD. It may be due to covid or a past experience but children are not allowed. I found this out as my 7yr old and self drove an hour there in hopes that they had a quality tank stand. The stand was for my son who was very excited to start his own fish tank. With many other signs one said "no children under 15 allowed". Personally I have never seen a sign like this on a business but I'm not just leaving my child in the car. I had him hold my hand as we looked for someone working there. When we found someone I asked "dose they sign mean without an adult, or just no children". In response I was shooed and told "he can't be here" as we were herded to the entrance. I mentioned we just interested in a stand and my child could stand by the entrance (cluttered supplies on a landing). Nope! I wanted to give them my money, I've never had a hard time giving a business money! We then left and drive to Ricks Fish and Pet supply and purchased a stand. I will continue to go to Ricks as they offered wonderful knowledge to me and not only encouraged my child but stirred his curiosity but created a new hobbiest. This will not be our last tank and I will return to RICKS. read more

I have been here twice this year. The first time I went with my hubby to get fish for our new tank. Bill would not sell us fish under any means and was very cold. We ended up going to congressional and filled our tank up and they are all doing well. The second time was a family trip with parents, grandparents, and my young son. He was condescending towards my mom about not knowing about the breed of fish, rude, and kicked me and my son out because no children under 15 are allowed in. My parents bought 2 overpriced fish anyway. Very unprofessional, and I am not the type to leave negative reviews, but this one is an exception. Learn people skills. read more

If I was just reviewing the store front and the quantity of fish in the store I would give it 5 stars. However, considering I am a first time fish owner who doesn't know a thing about taking care is fish in the best way I am going to rate the place on customer service. The feeling I got from Bill was extremely cold, we were a bother to him, and very belittling. I told him right away that I don't know what I am doing and need help with a sick fish. He gave me shit about looking up what the fish could maybe have online (even though I prefaced with I have no clue If this is what the fish has). He was pretentious and entitled and seemed annoyed that I had many questions. He made me feel ignorant for not knowing the proper way to care for a fish. Maybe he was just having a bad day and I will of course give him that because we all have bad days. I will go back another time because I am that kind of person - I always give second chances. I just really hope I don't get Bill. read more

Not sure why but the owner didn't seem interested in our business. Shooed is out told us he has things to do. Followed us around in the store. We greeted the owner, didn't say anything back. Won't be coming back. Maybe he was having a bad day but to not at least say hello is not very nice. Didn't even give us a chance to decide what we wanted. read more

Nice spot with good selections and price. Owner was very attentive. Saltwater is kept at 1.025. Will be coming back in the future.

Update 3/20/15: this is officially my go-to fish & aquarium supply store. I thought I was being savvy when I stopped by recently to return a water test kit I'd recently purchased. I figured it wasn't really necessary. Wrong! The owner (in a professional, yet matter-of-fact way) explained the importance of testing the water regularly even if the tank "appears" to be fine. He took the time to explain why. After an informative chat, I decided to keep the kit. Well, truth be told - I came home and tested my water. Guess what? He was right! The ammonia was through the roof and although the fish looked okay, the poor things were suffering. Using the bottled bacteria that I purchased, I've added a few drops every other day to stabilize the aquarium. I've continued testing every few days to monitor the PH/ammonia/etc. It only takes a few minutes to do this. It's starting to improve. As mentioned in my original review, it's easy to go to any cheap pet store but you won't get the same level of service or expertise. Making a decision to be a pet or fish owner takes time and responsibility. I feel good knowing that I'm learning from a pro and that I'm doing my part to ensure my fish are healthy - AND my tank looks fabulous. read more

Tis place is nasty and dark. Poor fish look abused. The greeting from staff when entering was far from welcoming and not helpful at all. I thought I would go here to support and local business but after being treated so poorly I will never return. read more

The low reviews on here are harsh! The old man that runs the store is grouchy (which is why there are low reviews) but he is a genius at his craft and has seen a lot. Customer service is not his strong suit but it is for the woman that works there. The combined knowledge and enthusiasm from these 2 is impeccable I will use this store for everything I need as all of my fish and plants obtained from here have been extremely healthy and the input from the owner and the hard working employees on my tank has been valuable. If you want to start a new tank they will lead you in the right direction unlike Petco or petsmart where the employees don't know how to keep fish and will ultimately give you the wrong advice. read more

Very knowledgeable, great customer service, and extensive variety with reasonable prices !

I've been coming here since I was a child. For 25 years this place has functioned as a kind of aquatic Disney land for me, providing finds you can't acquire anywhere else. Definitely worth a visit and great as an activity (cheaper than the Baltimore Aquarium!) read more

Most of the bad reviews are from people who were not pampered. You complain that the owner was not kind enough to you, or he was rude. These same people are the ones who put fish in an uncycled tank for their enjoyment. People should research BEFORE they buy fish or set up a tank. This is not a chain whos focus is to sell you what ever they can and make a profit off of you. This is a place you got for QUALITY, to purchase a fish from some one who CARES ABOUT THE ANIMAL. If you want to be hugged and nuzzled and treated like a customer on a used car lot, this is not your place. If you are after a shop with quality fish and a relationship with some one who has forgotten more about fish than most of these 1 star reviewers have learned, its GREAT. I drive 1.5 hours here at least once a month, because its worth it. read more

I really like the selection of equipment, water conditioner, food, and water testing supplies. Fish seem healthy and pricing is ok depending on what you're buying. My experience with the girl who works there is very positive. She has always been very friendly and knowledgeable. I went in for a water testing and the man (I'm guessing the owner) seems to know a lot, but was very condescending. As a customer, it's frustrating when you get different information seemingly everywhere and even among the staff at one store. I'm trying to do the right thing for my fish and tank and felt like the guy was kind of impatient and demeaning with me. I sincerely prefer to support small businesses, but after my most recent experience I'm not in a huge rush to go back. read more

The older gentleman is very rude to families. They have a personal policy of no customers under 15. He rudely ushers families out. I have not seen any health department mandate that only children can transmit COVID. The location is off the beaten path and not in a good way. I was a little afraid to enter but my son really wanted new fish. We missed the part about no one under 15. The sign posted is so detailed like they are the only aquarium store in town. Wrong! there are quite a few others. Many not far away. Nothing kills a business like rude shop keepers. I found out fish can now be purchased online too. Goodbye old style shopping and good riddance to mean people. read more

Mr. Bill knows his stuff. If you read the other reviews, yes, he is strict about policy during Covid, but please understand that many people have vulnerabilities that we don't know about, and extending a little extra grace to all is necessary. Bill is knowledgeable, no nonsense, and not super smiley. That does not mean he doesn't have the fish's best interest in mind, so if you are a beginner trying to put incompatible fish together (leading to aggressors killing fish or a stressed out tank), or stock a tank that isn't fully cycled, he is going to tell you and ask you to wait. He won't sugar coat. We've learned that establishing a healthy aquarium takes lots of time and patience. Over time, we have become regulars. All of the fish from Bill's store have been problem free, healthy, and happy. We go back there for all of our fish needs. read more

We've been going here since my children were given a fish as a present two years ago. The staff is very knowledgeable and honest and has helped us figure out what we are doing. As much as my children like to come along and look at all the fish, I deeply appreciate that Aquatic Creations has put in place safety procedures due to covid. It is one of the few places I still go into right now and I am completely at ease because of the strict protocol. read more

My fish were in dire need of help (my own doing) I went in and asked for help they were very knowledgeable and helpful. I got my plants (which I knew nothing about) and they explained how they work with the light and the aquarium. I got my bacteria in a bottle from them as well. Needless to say this place saved my fish and I couldn't thank them enough for it! read more

Awesome place to buy fish, reasonable prices prices and they carry a lot of variety of fish you don't find at others stores. Always take the time to answer all questions! read more

Not recommended. I drove over an hour to get to this place. The owner followed my family and watched. Guests should take time to see fishes and corals. He did not seem to like our family to see his aquarium. Eventually we left the store in 10 minutes. I do not want to go again. read more

Like most new fish keepers, I bought my first fish from petco/petsmart. Also like most people, I didn't do much research before buying my first batch of fish. The first generation all died because my aquarium wasn't cycled. I read up on the nitrogen cycle and balancing the aquarium and learned quite a bit. I was able to grasp the microbiology because of my day job (science background). Fast forward 5 months, I loose a few fish and I decided to seek help from this local fish store. I walk into the store and tell my story to an older gentleman. He asked follow up questions and every time I answered, he would give a sigh and roll his eyes. As a humble new fish keeper, I tried to take in as much knowledge as possible despite negative body language. It's sad because I really wanted to support a local fish store. Unfortunately, this shop has been blacklisted in my books. I'll take my business else where. read more

Nice place, good selection, and helpful staff. I liked the big koi pond. The saltwater selection is one of the better in the area. The staff was helpful and friendly. Would come back again. read more

I had a great experience. Disregard the reviews claiming rudeness and try for yourself. The staff spent 30 minutes discussing my research and plans for starting up a saltwater tank knowing I wasn't buying anything today. I will definitely return when the time comes to stock my tank. read more

Rude owner. Called the once with a brief question about whether they had a fish in stock...he told me he was too buys with another customer and hung up. Went to the store a different day and wanted a particular fish because it was smaller and younger than the others. He gave me a bunch of crap because it was easier for him to get the large one in the other tank. The jist of it....owner needs to cater more to his customers read more

I drove by this place for years and never bothered to stop in, what a mistake! I finally decided to check it out and i was amazed. The staff is extremely helpful, friendly, they make me want to come back again and again. I also love how clean the store is, the prices are fair. I love to go and just look at their large Koi pond. Every time i go to this store the staff teaches me something, and they always take an interest in how my fish are doing. Check this place out if you are into fish! read more

This place is a joke. Very outdated store that is in major need of an upgrade. Overpriced ill fish and week coral selection. I drove there from Frederick and what a waste of time. I will not be stepping foot in this store again. The best thing this guy could do with this run down store is close the door for good and retire. I would guess that most things in this building are not up to code. Don't waste your time or gas going here there are too far many better aquatic places in the area. read more

Yikes - some rough reviews for this place...My experience has been nothing but positive. In a world of faceless internet sales and unqualified sales folks at large pet stores it is refreshing to have knowledgeable expertise this close to home. I'm new to the fish hobby and don't mind spending a little more for the right product after gaining a thorough understanding of what it is I'm buying - as a matter of fact I have been talked out of spending money....lots of money....on stuff I thought I needed and didn't. The owner is all business and knows about fish! His team is always helpful - I have been in the shop when they are swamped and sometimes you have to wait a while for them to get to you. A great store with the expertise you need to build and manage an aquarium. read more

Unbelievable...and not in a good way. Went to this store to get some more information about setting up a tank. Not only was the staff not helpful, but they were quite rude and dismissive. Apparently I'm not the type of customer they are looking to add to their mailing list. Also, the prices...wow! They are almost triple prices I've seen at other stores (both big box and local). read more

I have been to this store several times, and it has gotten worse and worse every time. The owner doesnt care about anyone or anything but himself, and when you try and ask for help anyone that works there doesnt really seem to care unless you are going to spend tons and tons of money. Not to mention the fact that all of their products are extremely out dated and still much more expensive then they are actually worth. In my opinion go anywhere else but here. read more

I'll keep it short and sweet. Its not that big of a place but they make use of the space well. Decently stocked for the size and happy, healthy looking fish. No fish store I have ever been in is 100% free of ill fish, but its nice when they admit that and help steer you clear of fish with health problems. The saltwater fish looked healthy, prices were pretty decent for the area. I will be visiting again soon. read more