Chicago Area Local Fish Stores

New Fish
1180 N Milwaukee Ave Floor 1
Chicago, IL 60642
773) 384-5420


Open Weekdays 11am-7pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm

In the heart of Wicker Park however parking is pretty easy, but you have to feed the meter. or you could take the Blue line Subway to Divison and walk across the street to the store.
 
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Global Aquatics Retail
745 N Edgewood Av
Wood Dale 60191
Mon & Wed. 1--5pm
Friday 1--6pm
Sat. 11a--5pm
Cisco or Bill
 
When I was looking for my tank I called around. Tropi-quatics & Rob's Aquatics gave me the best price. I had to go with Tropi-quatics because they were closer to me. They have a real good fish selection. Tanks are clean.

Rob's Aquatics, Rob was very helpful and willing to spend time and answer my questions over the phone. Have never been to his store.

Scotts new store in Oakpark is nice. I was just used to the old store in Westchester and the old crew that used to work there.

Have Fun
 
Hi,

I'm kind of new here (RC and Chicago area) and I just wanted to add my 2c here. First though, I want say this is a very useful thread so thank you for starting it! I also want to point out that I am probably very much an idealist in terms of ethics and I realize that the LFS business is a tough one, so I don't want to sound like I am bashing anyone since I am not in their shoes...

(note: I am keeping a FOWLR tank so I am not knowledgable about coral and inverts and therfore will not comment much on that)

Oak Park Natural Pet and Fish: I live just a few blocks away so it is good to have someone so local. Most days you will find "Jim" working there (Russian guy I think). He is very helpful (did a full blown water sample test for me using his Salifert Kit) and is pretty knowledgable. I've met Scott a few times and while he is an ok guy he does not have the best people skills. Prices are very fair. Their tanks are clean and their livestock is healthy although somewhat limited (seem to have a lof FW). They do have a better than average selection of inverts. Not much in the way of live rock and no deals there. They have a few species that I don't feel should be offered in the trade (i.e sharks) and several "expert only" fish and I am uncetain as to whether they would discourage a customer with little experience from buying. I would say it's a good place to buy from if you know what you are looking for. Their selection of drygoods and equipment is average.

Ocean Design Aquarium: They just moved to a new location on Addison and are still getting settled in a bit. Staff is very friendly and helpful, Tony especially. The prices are good and the livestock looks healthy but most of it is "just in". Tanks look very clean and well maintained. Selection of SW fish is pretty good. They are offering "Florida cultured live rock" (leafy plants growing on it?) and don't currently have a stock of premium LR but I'm guessing they will. Selection of drygoods and equipment is average. I would feel comfortable buying from them.

Coral Reef Pet Shop: Not at all impressed with this place. Their tanks do not seem well maintained and most are way overcrowded. On one visit I counted FOUR dead fish in their tanks and one contained a larger wrasse with very obvious ICH (shared water system of course). Many of the other fish seem overstressed and ragged. Their frag tanks seem especially dirty. The fish room in general just seems run down. Staff does not seem very helpful or knowledgable. One guy suggested that I could keep as many as a dozen fish in my 30g tank with "no problem" and when asked about compatibility had nothing much to offer. I simply would not shop here...sorry guys.

Tropi-quatics:I only had one visit there but it seems like a decent shop. Tanks are very clean and livestock healthy but the selection of SW fish is a bit limited, although I'm sure it fluctuates. The staff member I dealt with was very helpful and knowledgable. To his credit, when I asked him about the selection of live rock he admitted that it was not very well-cured and unless I was going to do it myself it needed more time. Drygoods and equipment is better than average and has a decent selection of used tanks. Seems like a good place. I would buy from them.

Old Town Aquarium: Finally got to visit this past week and even though parking is a bit of a challenge it was well worth it. One of the nicest stores you will see, very well laid out and well stocked. First things first...their prices ARE higher than most but to me that is not everything. Also, there is a noticable "attitude" with some of the staff but nothing I would really be bothered by. And they do try to "sell" you. I will also say that they are quite knowledgable. They do have a great selection of SW fish and inverts and lots of stuff you don't see elsewhere. I have to give the staff member who helped some credit (I think his name is Joe, younger skinny guy). I purchased a fish here, a Chalk Bass (very fairly priced) and we was willing to take the time to net the one I wanted (out of 3) and had to pull a good deal of rock out of the DT to do so. The fish is healthy and acclimating well. One thing that I found very disconcerting though. I was told that their fish-only tanks were being kept at hypo-salinity...1.012!! I am guessing they have had some problems but I really wonder how difficullt it would be to acclimate a fish from that level to that of the average home aquarium. Fortunately the specimen I bought was from a fish and invert tank that was kept at 1.024 so no problem there. Their live rock seems very high quality but is a whopping $12.00/lb. Drygoods and equipment selection are very good. Bottom line, it is a quality store and you often get what you pay for (ask all of those who buy online from DD).

New Fish: I really like this store. They have probably the friendlist and most knowledgable staff of any place I have been. They do not pressure you at all and will answer any questions. Their displays are very nice and the livestock extremely healthy. The selection of SW fish is decent but not huge. I purchased a Yellow Watchman Goby from them and he is doing great. Prices are very fair. They have some nice well-cured live rock at a decent price. Drygoods and equipment is a bit limited but it is a small store. Highly recommend them. By the way, parking is not too bad of you look for a place on the opposite side of Milwaukee and a bit south of the store.



Well, hope that my experiences are helpful to you. Nice to be here...

Cheers,

Tom
 
Hidden Reef in beach park. off of wadsworth and greenbay rd. a.k.a. route 31.it is a little hidden but its worth finding. has very good selection,the owner (hector)is great,they have only been open for a little over a year so his staff is young but is growing with the store(Ive known them for qiut a while so I love messing with them! lol) they give 7 day guarantee on fish, I know he pays someone to pick out his fish from a wholesaler in LA so they are always sweet! I usually just get coral cause he gets such wikked pieces!! he gets his coral trans shipped in so its not cherry picked in LA, so they always get a one of a kind pieces!(my fav, you know!:) but you have to be fast cause ALOT of coral addicts hit the spot on coral shippment days!(me being one of them LOL) all the fishheads hit the spot on fish shipment days also for that matter!lol and if they dont have it they'll get it for you and the icing on the cake..... he's cheaper then EVERYBODY!
I bet you cant just go once! my fav shop!

Old town aquarium is a very nice shop but like sixty4tw put it parking is a pain! the staff is knowledgable but I do feel that "attitude" from some of the staff almost like "you aint going to buying anything or aint spending enough so why do you keep bothering me asking questions" what can I say I like to ask alot of questions, lol. they do have a great selection and very nice corals but end up seeing the same pieces week after week cause of the high prices. havent been there for a while for the same reason. still a good place though
 
Anybody been lately at Ocean Design Aquarium? Did they already stock all of their tanks? I want to go and check it out but also not waste my time if they are still in the process of filling in their tanks. Any feedback appreciated, thanks.
 
I was just there today, all the tanks are loaded with fish, he also has some florida cultured rock, I have a fish on hold :p
As far as coral he is not really up to speed yet, he had quite a bit of softies a couple acans here and there and some sps with promise of color, nice ponape birdsnest and a couple clams. I took the nicest looking sps piece today so if you are looking for corals specially sps i would wait a little more. It seems like every time i go in there he has a few more frags.
 
My business partner and a staff member will be in Chicago next week for a conference on seahorses held in your town. We are the largest LFS in Ireland and very keen to get out to some shops to see how things are done in the States to see what ideas we can bring home.

What we are looking for is the following - Good shop layout with a good selection of Drygoods - well presented. Clean shops. Good livestock selections are not the main reason to visits to a shop as we can take nothing home (plus we buy direct from most suppliers globally)
Our website is www.seahorseaquariums.com for anyone interested.

Here are the list of shops that from looking at this forum I plan to get in to visit.

Global Aquatics Retail
Tropi-Quatics Pet Centre
Aquatica
New Fish
Old Town Aquarium

Any I should include / leave out?

Flying out on Monday so please help before then
 
BallaBooyeaH said:
My business partner and a staff member will be in Chicago next week for a conference on seahorses held in your town. We are the largest LFS in Ireland and very keen to get out to some shops to see how things are done in the States to see what ideas we can bring home.

What we are looking for is the following - Good shop layout with a good selection of Drygoods - well presented. Clean shops. Good livestock selections are not the main reason to visits to a shop as we can take nothing home (plus we buy direct from most suppliers globally)
Our website is www.seahorseaquariums.com for anyone interested.

Here are the list of shops that from looking at this forum I plan to get in to visit.

Global Aquatics Retail
Tropi-Quatics Pet Centre
Aquatica
New Fish
Old Town Aquarium

Any I should include / leave out?

Flying out on Monday so please help before then
Click to expand...

aquacave is probably the largest dry good retailer in the area, however they are not really an LFS. They are an online retailer and can be found at aquacave.com. This business may be able to help you with business questions related to dry goods - just not the brick and mortar store type questions.
 
BallaBooyeaH said:
My business partner and a staff member will be in Chicago next week for a conference on seahorses held in your town. We are the largest LFS in Ireland and very keen to get out to some shops to see how things are done in the States to see what ideas we can bring home.

What we are looking for is the following - Good shop layout with a good selection of Drygoods - well presented. Clean shops. Good livestock selections are not the main reason to visits to a shop as we can take nothing home (plus we buy direct from most suppliers globally)
Our website is www.seahorseaquariums.com for anyone interested.

Here are the list of shops that from looking at this forum I plan to get in to visit.

Global Aquatics Retail
Tropi-Quatics Pet Centre
Aquatica
New Fish
Old Town Aquarium

Any I should include / leave out?

Flying out on Monday so please help before then
Click to expand...

If you are looking for a LFS strictly based on retail layout, drygood selection and clean then IMO:
I would omit Global Aquatics (they have a wholesaler's layout since they sell wholesale)
I would add Beyond the Reef (in Schamburg, IL) to your list of retailers to visit.
I would also add Sho-Tank (in Mundelein, IL) if you have the time to go up north
and I have heard very good things about Reef Plus (in N Aurora) though I have never had the opportunity to go there myself.

GL and enjoy your stay in Chicagoland, USA :)
 
Global Aquatics warehouse & importer

Global Aquatics warehouse & importer

[violation]

cet98 said:
If you are looking for a LFS strictly based on retail layout, drygood selection and clean then IMO:
I would omit Global Aquatics (they have a wholesaler's layout since they sell wholesale)
I would add Beyond the Reef (in Schamburg, IL) to your list of retailers to visit.
I would also add Sho-Tank (in Mundelein, IL) if you have the time to go up north
and I have heard very good things about Reef Plus (in N Aurora) though I have never had the opportunity to go there myself.

GL and enjoy your stay in Chicagoland, USA :)
Click to expand...
 
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+1 on New Fish as well. Got my 20long cycled a couple weeks ago and needed some livestock. Their frag and fish tanks looks good. They had Rod's Food. And staff are great. Also within 10 minutes from my place.
 
Online Order

Online Order

I would love to keep my money here in Illinois. I live in Bloomington and find it discouraging that not one store in Chicago (that I have found) has an online store for ordering corals/fish etc. Any suggestions?
 
pjcurry88 said:
I would love to keep my money here in Illinois. I live in Bloomington and find it discouraging that not one store in Chicago (that I have found) has an online store for ordering corals/fish etc. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

A new store just opened in Bartonville last week, people from my reef club say its great, js
 
Frankfort LFS address

Frankfort LFS address

Reef City Aquatics
7942 w Lincoln Highway
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-534-5268

ReefCityAquaticsOnline.com

I am planning on stopping there Friday cant wait

John
 
Not impressed

Not impressed

gumby26 said:
Hidden Reef in beach park. off of wadsworth and greenbay rd. a.k.a. route 31.it is a little hidden but its worth finding. has very good selection,the owner (hector)is great,they have only been open for a little over a year so his staff is young but is growing with the store(Ive known them for qiut a while so I love messing with them! lol) they give 7 day guarantee on fish, I know he pays someone to pick out his fish from a wholesaler in LA so they are always sweet! I usually just get coral cause he gets such wikked pieces!! he gets his coral trans shipped in so its not cherry picked in LA, so they always get a one of a kind pieces!(my fav, you know!:) but you have to be fast cause ALOT of coral addicts hit the spot on coral shippment days!(me being one of them LOL) all the fishheads hit the spot on fish shipment days also for that matter!lol and if they dont have it they'll get it for you and the icing on the cake..... he's cheaper then EVERYBODY!
I bet you cant just go once! my fav shop!

Old town aquarium is a very nice shop but like sixty4tw put it parking is a pain! the staff is knowledgable but I do feel that "attitude" from some of the staff almost like "you aint going to buying anything or aint spending enough so why do you keep bothering me asking questions" what can I say I like to ask alot of questions, lol. they do have a great selection and very nice corals but end up seeing the same pieces week after week cause of the high prices. havent been there for a while for the same reason. still a good place though
Click to expand...

Not impressed with Hidden Reef
 
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