About
On Chicago's Northwest side, Ocean Design Aquarium has anchored the local fishkeeping community for over two decades — first in Dunning Square and now at its current home. Tony and Linda run this family shop the old-fashioned way, and the loyalty shows: customers drive in from Yorkville and from 50 miles out, and some have been coming back since 2005. Walk in and the first thing that lands is how clean everything is.
Reviewers compare the place to a miniature Shedd Aquarium, and the beautifully aquascaped display tanks throughout the store earn the comparison — working pieces of art built from live plants, driftwood, and stone. " The freshwater side is the heart of the shop. This is where to look for otocinclus, dwarf shrimp, dwarf frogs, and other species the big chains simply don't stock, plus hardy angelfish, healthy guppies, and discus for sale in Chicago, IL.
One regular reports angelfish bought here still thriving eight years on. The planted-tank section is a destination in itself, stocked with aquatic plants and aquascaping rock and driftwood. Saltwater hobbyists will find marine fish and corals too, which is why locals keep calling it the best aquarium store in Chicagoland.
Ocean Design carries Aquarium Co-op products and keeps a deep wall of supplies, water treatments, and medications for when something in the tank goes sideways. Special orders get filled fast — faster than the chains seem able to manage. Above all, Tony's knowledge is the real draw: ask a question and you'll walk out knowing more than you did.
For healthy freshwater and saltwater fish near me, this welcoming mom-and-pop shop is genuinely hard to beat.
What they offer
Fish & livestock for sale at Ocean Design Aquarium in Chicago, IL
Ocean Design Aquarium stocks shrimp, corals, rare and hard-to-find species, angelfish, discus, invertebrates, livebearers, aquarium plants and freshwater & saltwater fish for sale in Chicago, IL. As an aquarium store serving Chicago, IL, it also carries aquarium equipment and fish medications and offers aquarium consultations and aquascaping.
- Livestock & products
- Live PlantsPlanted TanksShrimpCoralsRare SpeciesAngelfishDiscusInvertebratesLivebearersAquarium EquipmentMedications
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned by Tony and Linda for 20+ years, originally in Dunning Square
- Spotless, aquascaped display tanks compared to a miniature Shedd Aquarium
- Healthy livestock customers report thriving for years — including angelfish going strong after 8 years
- Hard-to-find freshwater stock: otocinclus, dwarf shrimp, dwarf frogs, plus discus and planted-tank plants
- Carries Aquarium Co-op products, fast special orders, and a full wall of water treatments and medications
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Ocean Design has everything you need. Driftwood, rocks, lights, amazing plants, a ton of healthy fish and basically everything you need to build a next level tank, if that's what you want to do. Ask questions, you will learn a lot.”
— Mighty Zeus5.0a month ago“Best place for freshwater aquarium fish in Chicago hands down. The guy is very knowledgeable and helpful.”
— Trevar Evett5.0a month ago“Got fish and plants from u today, super nice people, small place but omg plants just amazing. Gave so much life for my aquarium. When I gonna be again in Chicago, will come again for sure c:”
— Nick Korolkov5.0a month ago“Mom and pop gem with great products at a fair price.”
— Kestelle Wiersma5.03 months ago“Fachowcy.”
— Klaudiusz Kruszecki5.03 months ago“amazing local fish store! really friendly owners who know their stuff. good and healthy selection of both fresh and saltwater fish!”
— matylda5.03 months ago“Great place, nice guy owner, always with good aptitud an friendly giving tips to hace better your aquarium, they got nice stock including discus fish and huge variety of supplies and treatments for sickness or conditions of water.”
— Osbaldo Gonzalez5.04 months ago“friendly. passionate and educated. made the drive from Yorkville and was glad I did”
— Joshua Spicer5.04 months ago“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
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.