About
Tucked into Chicago's Northwest side, Ocean Design Aquarium has been a fixture of the local fishkeeping community for over two decades — first in Dunning Square and now at their current location. Owned and operated by Tony and Linda, this family-run shop has built a fiercely loyal following, with some customers making the trip from 50 miles away and others returning faithfully since 2005. The first thing you notice walking in is how clean everything is.
Multiple reviewers compare it to a miniature Shedd Aquarium, and the beautifully aquascaped display tanks scattered throughout the store back that up. These aren't just sales tanks — they're works of art that showcase what's possible with the right plants, hardscape, and fish. The freshwater selection is extensive and genuinely exciting.
This is the kind of shop where you'll find otocinclus, dwarf shrimp, dwarf frogs, duckweed, and other species that big box stores simply don't carry. Their angelfish are legendarily hardy — one customer reported theirs thriving eight years after purchase. The planted tank section is a standout, with a wide range of aquatic plants and aquascaping elements like rocks and driftwood.
For saltwater hobbyists, they stock a solid selection of fish and corals. Ocean Design carries Aquarium Co-op products, which draws dedicated hobbyists who prefer that brand's approach to fishkeeping. They also handle special orders with impressive turnaround — a service that chain stores struggle to match.
What sets this shop apart from the rest of the Chicago-area aquarium scene is livestock quality. Reviewer after reviewer notes that fish purchased here arrive healthy and stay healthy, with no ich outbreaks or mysterious die-offs. The tank water is so clean that customers feel comfortable mixing it directly with their home aquariums.
Tony's encyclopedic knowledge and genuine willingness to talk through tank setups, stocking questions, and troubleshooting makes every visit feel like a consultation. Whether you need feeder fish for your axolotl or rare shrimp for a planted nano tank, Ocean Design delivers.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- ConsultationAquascaping
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned by Tony and Linda for over 20 years with deep fishkeeping expertise
- Exceptionally clean tanks with healthy livestock that customers report thriving for years
- Stunning aquascaped display tanks that showcase planted tank artistry
- Hard-to-find species including dwarf shrimp, otocinclus, and rare freshwater fish
- Carries Aquarium Co-op products alongside a full range of supplies
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Great store clean tanks knowledgeable staff”
— Jeff Adams5.02 weeks ago“Professional, friendly, and knowledgeable aquarium shop. Diverse selection of both fish and plant life. Reasonable pricing. It was so worth my visit.”
— Rolfe Sanberg5.0Edited 3 weeks ago“Highy recommend, great experience , stuff knows very knowledgeable, TWO Thumbs Up”
— Barto Sz5.0a month ago“Wish I knew about this place when I started the hobby. They have basically EVERYTHING I wanted that was a challenge to find. (Dwarf shrimp, dwarf frogs, duck weed, etc)”
— JP5.0a month ago“Awesome place wonderful and knowledgeable people i recommend ocean design for all your aquarium needs 👍👍”
— jovan montalvo5.02 months ago“My new favorite local fish shop! Tons of varieties of healthy, beautiful freshwater fish and plants. They have everything you need. Also friendly and knowledgeable staff/owners!”
— John Park5.02 months ago“Extremely friendly and helpful! Plus an awesome selection of everything fish and aquarium related products. I will be back!”
— Jacob Snyder5.03 months ago“Best aquarium store in the Northwest side. The owner is extremely nice and very helpful. I always enjoy discussing my tanks with him.”
— Ryan Janski5.03 months ago“Great little shop. Very friendly and very helpful. Been looking for otocinclus for a while and this place have it. I am definitely coming back here.”
— K W5.06 months ago“Been coming here for years now and I love this place. Yes, they have EVERYTHING! Prices are great. You can tell they really know what they’re doing there. The gentleman had said they’ve been in business forever. Even if I move out to the burbs, I’d still come here. They’ve sold me my most favorite mysteries and their guppies are very healthy and “last” awhile. I hate to say it like that haha! Fresh or salt water, they have what you need and the knowledge. I’m so happy I found this place.”
— Myla Casanova5.06 months ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (773) 625-3474 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Ocean Design Aquarium.