About
Premium Pet Supply in Bloomington, Illinois is the kind of family-owned store that inspires fierce loyalty — the kind where customers drive over 50 miles just to browse the tanks and pick Monty's brain about their next setup. And Monty, along with staffers like Madison, are a big part of why people keep coming back. They don't just sell fish; they walk you through the dos and don'ts of cycling a new tank, help you pick hearty starter fish, and remember your setup well enough to offer tailored suggestions on return visits.
The freshwater selection draws the most praise. Reviewers highlight a wide variety of fish, from guppies and rope fish to pond goldfish sold at great prices. One customer gleefully picked up a breeding pair of crawdads for an aquaponic garden, which speaks to the store's range of invertebrates beyond typical hobby fare.
The live plant selection is described as tremendous, and Monty's plant recommendations have helped customers build genuinely beautiful planted tanks. Beyond livestock, Premium Pet carries a solid inventory of aquarium equipment — filter media, airstones, driftwood, and décor. The driftwood selection in particular gets singled out as impressive.
They also stock premium pet foods for dogs and cats, reptile feeder insects like Dubia roaches and hornworms, and even à la carte snake food. Their frequent buyer card program keeps pricing competitive with big-box stores, which is notable for an independent shop. The store features what one reviewer calls a "fun fish cave" — a dedicated viewing area where you can get a closer look at the aquatic livestock.
The atmosphere is warm and unhurried, with staff in signature bowling shirts who genuinely enjoy talking fish. A few reviewers have noted occasional health issues with livestock, so quarantining new arrivals is wise — standard practice for any serious hobbyist. But for the Bloomington area, Premium Pet Supply remains the clear first stop for freshwater fish, live plants, pond supplies, and honest aquarium advice from people who actually care.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- ConsultationTank Setup
- Specializes in
- FreshwaterPond
Highlights
What makes them special
- Monty and staff provide personalized tank setup guidance and fish selection advice
- Tremendous live plant selection for planted tank enthusiasts
- Pond goldfish available at great prices
- Fun fish cave viewing area for browsing livestock
- Impressive driftwood and décor selection
From keepers
Customer reviews
“I’ve been coming here for years and the overall knowledge and care for fish and aquariums is amazing. Everyone is very helpful and the fish and plants are high quality”
— Colin Heath5.0a month ago“The young man that was working was nice, helpful and asked questions. Thanks for a great shoppe.”
— Annaleisia Hilburn5.0Edited a month ago“Great fish selection. Sometimes a little pricey but just like in anything get what you pay for.”
— Dustin Brown5.03 months ago“Best fish place around by far”
— Cyonnor5.04 months ago“Many of the fish had ick and looked to be in poor health. I get that it happens but even petsmart which is a chain brand closed down their system to get all the fish treated. they had a lot of decor and very pretty driftwood at least. their plants were 100% snail infested given all the pest snails in the plant tanks. if you buy a fish from here be ready to quarantine it and check for any signs of illness. i was very disappointed after being so excited to check out a new fish store and potentially get more guppies. absolutely do not trust that they won’t die in a week though.”
— Opal Fishel2.04 months ago“Helpful staff and a local store”
— Julie Hiles5.0Edited 5 months ago“Great selection of aquatics and pet food! Friendly knowledgeable staff.”
— Renee Alcorn5.06 months ago“Awesome family owned store, there is no reason to go to the big chains when this place is here. Great prices and lots of options.”
— Dan Patrick Photography5.07 months ago“Got a great deal on pond goldfish!”
— Jim Anderson5.09 months ago“Monty and crew are always great, especially. Monty he' s like family. Fish knowledge and quality are both excellent!”
— Bryan Hurst5.09 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (309) 662-2153 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Premium Pet Supply.