Acuario Piscis

Tucked into Chicago's neighborhood retail landscape, Acuario Piscis is a bustling, bilingual pet shop that doubles as a grooming salon and a surprisingly deep aquarium destination. The back of the store opens into a world of tanks — freshwater and saltwater alike — stocked with enough variety to stop you mid-stride. Reviewers have spotted puffer fish, bettas, guppies, plecos, and a decent saltwater selection, all at prices frequently cited as the best in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

The store draws a loyal, largely Spanish-speaking clientele who appreciate the attentive, patient service. Staff will walk you through fish compatibility, tank setup questions, and care recommendations — though one cautionary tale about housing guppies with bettas suggests you should still do your own homework before mixing species. Beyond fish, the shop stocks birds, snakes, turtles, bird seed, dog food, and other pet supplies, making it a one-stop neighborhood resource.

One of the more remarkable stories from the review record: a fishkeeper lost half their tank during a crisis, rushed the survivors to Acuario Piscis, and the staff treated the fish over four days, saving many of them. That kind of hands-on intervention — essentially functioning as an emergency fish hospital — is rare in any pet store, let alone a modestly sized neighborhood shop. The store is not without its critics.

Some reviewers have raised concerns about tank cleanliness, humidity levels inside the store, and the condition of certain animals, particularly turtles kept in undersized enclosures. Saltwater hobbyists have reported mixed results with fish longevity. These are fair points worth weighing, especially for sensitive livestock.

Still, the grooming side of the business earns near-universal praise, and the sheer breadth of live animals — from freshwater community fish to puffers to birds — packed into this Chicago storefront makes it a worthwhile stop for local aquarists hunting affordable livestock and supplies.