Local Fish Stores - Chicagoland (Updated July 2021)

xmoji · Dec 9, 2019

Good looking list.

isn’t New Fish closed or did they reopen?

icedearth15324 · Dec 9, 2019

xmoji said:
Good looking list.

isn’t New Fish closed or did they reopen?

Oops, you were right. I must have mis-read the date. Fixed.

xmoji · Dec 9, 2019

icedearth15324 said:
Oops, you were right. I must have mis-read the date. Fixed.

Thanks for the update. There are several lfs’s around that I have never visited but have to make time to check out now.

icedearth15324 · Dec 9, 2019

xmoji said:
Thanks for the update. There are several lfs’s around that I have never visited but have to make time to check out now.

If you do be sure to make a post about them on the site with a quick review. I've been thinking about adding details like if they specialize in corals, fish, dry goods, etc. So any extra information would be helpful for other members.

xmoji · Dec 9, 2019

Sounds good

Mjl714 · Dec 9, 2019

Reefwise could be added.

Re: Reefplus, you could add the “Ironfish” name for the awesome stands they build.

Nice list, good work.

icedearth15324 · Dec 9, 2019

Mjl714 said:
Reefwise could be added.

Re: Reefplus, you could add the “Ironfish” name for the awesome stands they build.

Nice list, good work.

I didn't put Reefwise on due to their inactivity on Facebook. I know they are still open but from what I've heard they aren't the same way they used to be.

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xmoji · Dec 9, 2019

icedearth15324 said:
I didn't put Reefwise on due to their inactivity on Facebook. I know they are still open but from what I've heard they aren't the same way they used to be.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think this is a wise decision.

Mjl714 · Dec 9, 2019

icedearth15324 said:
I didn't put Reefwise on due to their inactivity on Facebook. I know they are still open but from what I've heard they aren't the same way they used to be.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duly noted.

dbraun15 · Dec 20, 2019

I'm heading to the Northwest Suburbs(Roselle) for Christmas to visit family...are there any "can't miss" stores that I should visit? I had been to Reefwise a few years ago, but sounds like they are not what they used to be. Any help would be appreciated.

icedearth15324 · Dec 20, 2019

dbraun15 said:
I'm heading to the Northwest Suburbs(Roselle) for Christmas to visit family...are there any "can't miss" stores that I should visit? I had been to Reefwise a few years ago, but sounds like they are not what they used to be. Any help would be appreciated.

Depending on where you are coming from, Blue Line Coral is a good store, and Beyond the Reef is pretty solid.

ESH · Dec 22, 2019

Thanks for updating the list!

11fishjones · Dec 30, 2019

After recently visitng our daughter in college near Mundelein, since we were already that far north I was able to convince my wife we should go check out Sho Tank and man am I ever glad we did, what an impressive store, from their amazing exotic fish and coral selection, to their pricing, and welcoming staff this place has it all covered. If they weren't so far north I'd be in the store all the time, as it is I'm planning a return trip some time next week in-order to make good use of my Christmas cash!

icedearth15324 · Dec 30, 2019

11fishjones said:
After recently visitng our daughter in college near Mundelein, since we were already that far north I was able to convince my wife we should go check out Sho Tank and man am I ever glad we did, what an impressive store, from their amazing exotic fish and coral selection, to their pricing, and welcoming staff this place has it all covered. If they weren't so far north I'd be in the store all the time, as it is I'm planning a return trip some time next week in-order to make good use of my Christmas cash!

I haven't been up there myself actually. Maybe one day I'll make my way up there.

babbyk · Dec 31, 2019

Sho tank is great!

robitreef · Feb 8, 2020

Hello, a store that I have been frequenting is Xzotic Aquatic World in Niles. Found them about a couple years ago and they've expanded within the past year. They have a newsletter but also update their FB page with weekly specials.

https://www.xzoticaquaticworld.com/

robitreef · Feb 8, 2020

Btw, around when did Advanced Aquatics in Schaumburg close?

400gallonnano · Feb 8, 2020

Over a couple years ago it closed I believe

Jrodriguez682 · Feb 12, 2020

Mjl714 said:
Duly noted.

So I was in reefwise couple weeks ago, empty!!! However, Mike, previous owner, said he had just sold and was staying on as a consultant. He said the store would back up to its high standards in the very near future.
I hope so. This place had some nice stuff