Old Town Aquarium

Old Town Aquarium has been a fixture of Chicago's aquarium scene for decades — the kind of neighborhood shop where you walk in overwhelmed and leave feeling like you actually understand what you're doing. Much of that comes down to Peter, the staff member whose name surfaces in review after review. He's the guy who'll write down the names of the plants you just bought, patiently walk a teenager through tank maintenance on his birthday, and play what one customer lovingly calls "murder mystery" diagnosing fish ailments.

Ian and Kevin round out a team that reviewers consistently praise for genuine expertise and attentiveness. The store itself is compact but meticulously maintained. Tanks are clean, fish look healthy, and the livestock selection spans both freshwater and saltwater — from beautiful bettas and live plants to chocolate clownfish, anemones, and a solid coral selection for reef enthusiasts.

Hardscape options including rocks and driftwood draw particular praise, and the equipment wall covers everything from frozen brine shrimp to full Red Sea tank setups. One long-time customer credited Ian and the team with guiding him through two Red Sea installations, from purchase through service and ongoing maintenance. What sets Old Town apart in the competitive Chicagoland fish store landscape is the consultative approach.

Staff actively discourage customers from overbuying fish or rushing a cycle. They'll demo tank cleaning for first-timers and genuinely refuse to sell you something your setup can't handle. The owner has personally worked with customers to design and install custom aquariums in their homes, walking them through every step.

Prices run higher than some competitors — a point a few reviewers flag — but many consider it worthwhile for the quality of livestock and the depth of guidance. Weekend hours make it accessible for hobbyists who can't shop during the week. For anyone building a freshwater planted tank or taking their first leap into saltwater reef-keeping in Chicago, Old Town Aquarium delivers the kind of hands-on expertise that big-box stores simply cannot match.