Terry's Aquarium & Pet Center

Terry's Aquarium & Pet Center in Hammond, Indiana has been a Northwest Indiana institution for decades — some customers recall shopping there 35 years ago when the store was still located in Lansing, Illinois. That kind of loyalty doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the owner personally ensures clean tanks, healthy livestock, and fair prices, and because the staff genuinely cares about helping people build thriving aquariums.

The focus here is squarely on freshwater fish, and the selection punches well above what you'd expect from a smaller, independent shop. Reviewers have picked up dragon blood peacock cichlids, black widow frontosas, otocinclus catfish, and snails — a range that speaks to both the African cichlid enthusiast and the community tank keeper. The tanks are consistently described as clean and well-maintained, and customers report taking home healthy fish with few losses.

Beyond the fish room, Terry's stocks reptiles, small mammals, birds, and a solid wall of aquarium supplies. Staff helped one customer set up her daughter's very first fish tank from scratch, walking through cycling, stocking, and equipment choices. That kind of hands-on consultation is the store's bread and butter — the team will talk you through compatibility, care requirements, and what to expect before you leave with a bag of fish.

The atmosphere is distinctly hometown. Multiple reviewers use the word "home" to describe how the shop feels, and regulars like Kristy and Mike behind the counter are known by name. New stock arrives frequently, giving repeat visitors a reason to drop in and see what's swimming.

A few reviews note inconsistency in staff knowledge — particularly around reptile husbandry and snail breeding habits — so doing your own homework on less common animals is wise. For freshwater fishkeepers across Northwest Indiana, Terry's remains the go-to local fish store — decades of community trust, a rotating cast of interesting cichlids and tropicals, and a staff that treats every tank like it matters.