About
The Local Fish Store in Morton Grove, Illinois, has built a loyal following among Chicago-area aquarists with its dual focus on freshwater and saltwater livestock, a solid coral selection, and a staff that genuinely invests in helping customers succeed. Reviewers consistently name staffers like Ty, Scott, Michael, and Jana as knowledgeable guides who don't mind fielding endless questions — one customer credited the team with helping them launch their first 24-gallon nano reef tank from scratch, walking them through everything from equipment selection to ongoing care over the course of two months. The freshwater side features a wide variety of species including bettas, ember tetras, glowfish, kubotai rasboras, and comet goldfish, alongside aquatic plants and nerite snails.
Saltwater enthusiasts will find fish and plenty of coral on display, and the store has earned praise from fellow reef hobbyists — JJ Reefs, another local business, publicly acknowledged the team's passion and expertise. Shrimp and invertebrates like mini red crayfish round out the invertebrate selection. Beyond retail, TLFS has shown a community-minded streak.
One reviewer shared a story about the store accepting a donation of roughly 30 comet goldfish rescued from a corporate carnival event — the kind of gesture that speaks to priorities beyond profit. The shop also helped that same customer select tank decor and nerite snails while they properly cycled their setup, demonstrating patience with newcomers. The store isn't without growing pains.
A few reviewers flagged overstocked tanks, occasional ich issues with purchased fish, and betta care that could use improvement. The store has responded publicly to criticism, though some customers felt the responses could show more accountability. 8 rating is that TLFS delivers healthy livestock, fair prices, and genuine expertise in a welcoming atmosphere — complete with a resident shop dog that has become a minor celebrity among visitors.
It's a destination worth the trip for Morton Grove locals and the broader Chicagoland aquarium community alike.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Tank SetupConsultation
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Staff helped customer build first 24-gallon nano reef tank from start to finish
- Accepted donation of ~30 rescued comet goldfish from a corporate event
- Friendly shop dog beloved by visitors
- Strong freshwater and saltwater selection with corals, shrimp, and live plants
- Named staff members (Ty, Scott, Michael, Jana) praised for hands-on guidance
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Amazing fish and plant store”
— Giovannni Rodas5.02 weeks ago“amazing store and the workers were so helpful :) i came in with my dad for a betta and some shrimp for my tank which they did have. a lot of variety of fish both fresh and saltwater. bettas looked super healthy and my crown tail is super active and doesn’t look sick even after a few hours. for sure im coming back! highly recommend if you’re in the area and looking for a place that really takes care of their critters”
— tiffiney c5.02 weeks ago“So cool. They even had a pet dog that made my day. Will definitely be back to buy some new fish. We didn't buy that day because we were running late and they were really busy. Great store tho.”
— Jo5.03 weeks ago“Great spot for strong healthy plants and animals”
— Jeremy Lackowski5.03 weeks ago“A very extensive collection of all kinds of fish, freshwater and saltwater, and a very knowledgeable sales people also”
— Sal A.5.0a month ago“EDIT IN RESPONSE: I appreciate the response from the store for sure. I definitely understand that these things happen and sometimes slip through the cracks. I think a better approach would be less consumer blaming such as "It is always hard to be absolutely certain where a problem may have originated." The tank they were added to has been established for more than 3 years with no issues of ich. My last two stocking purchases have been made at this particular store which also happen to be the only stocking purchases made within 1.5 years so I think it's fairly reasonable to say that the origin of the ill fish was the store. Another thing about the response that made me raise an eyebrow would be "At the end of the day, theyre not an expensive fish." Sure. They're not an expensive fish but the amount of time I had to set aside to treat the tank (going out to buy treatment that is safe for invertebrates, cleaning out my canister filter, etc) was the main stressor. I want to make it a point to say that this is not a review to get a discount or freebies. I initially had my partner call with notification about it and felt that the response on the phone lacked sincerity and accountability. It was simply to give a heads up. And here we are, on google reviews. At the time of this edit 4 of the 6 ember tetras purchased from the store have died, all exhibiting ich symptons. ------------------------------------------------------- Been here a few times and genuinely enjoy the knowledge and professionalism of the staff. However had a recent issue with picking up a school of ember tetras that harbored in a nasty case of Ich.”
— Kevin Mandell3.0a month ago“Really great little shop. Freshwater and saltwater fish PLUS lots of coral. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. I highly recommend a visit.”
— William Lutman5.0a month ago“I started my first saltwater reef tank with the help of the LFS. This is a much deserved five star review. The staff here are very supportive and intelligent people. I spoke with and got help from Ty, Scott, Michael, and Jana. They all helped me along the way and didn't mind me asking tons of questions. I picked up a 24gal nano and everything I needed to get started. It is now about two months later and everything is going well. Very happy with the service here. I highly recommend anyone getting started like me to stop by a give the place a visit. I'm sure seasoned hobbyists would love it too.”
— Mark B5.0a month ago“Vast selection of aquatic animals and staff are very friendly! However, I do hope that the betta fish get better treatment. There was no continuous flow of clean running water so the shelf of small glass tanks were dirty, filled with leftover food and wastes. I noticed dried up water lines on the glass from where the water used to originally be at. A majority of the bettas in the glass either had fin rot, seemed lethargic, or on the brink of dying and showcasing signs of sickness. I believe this establishment has great potential and I ask that they take this form of constructive criticism to consideration. Customers would really appreciate it if there can be change done to this matter. Thank you very much!”
— oo oo2.0a month ago“I adore TLFS!! I’ve been an avid fan of hobby aquarists, and had an unused tank that sat empty for far too long. Staff is super friendly, well informed, gave me confidence, and set me up for success! I had to set up my tank very quickly, because I was helping my friend with a Goldfish Rescue. She worked a “carnival themed” corporate event, and they were going to flush their remaining ~30 healthy fish 💀 I was able to keep them all alive until I had the chance to bring them to TLFS TLFS has all my love + admiration for taking in these Comet Goldfish as a donation. That’s such a service both these animals and our local ecosystem! I’m working on properly cycling my tank before bringing home any additional finned friends- but the Nerite Snails from TLFS having a great time with all that space. ADDITIONALLY, All my beautiful tank decor is also from TLFS- I greatly look forward to future visits! Couldn’t have asked for a better shop to begin this hobby alongside”
— Corvin Mecklenburger5.0a month ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call (224) 247-2200 to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting The Local Fish Store.