About
Tucked away on Virginia Road in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, Exotic Aquatics has built a loyal following among saltwater hobbyists across the Crystal Lake and Algonquin area. This family-run shop — operated by Jeff and his daughter Elise — has roots going back to Chicago's southwest suburbs and has grown into one of the region's most dedicated reef and saltwater fish destinations. The store's bread and butter is coral.
Reviewers consistently praise the frag selection, and the shop sells pre-mixed saltwater for convenient reef maintenance. Clownfish, tangs, and other saltwater staples fill the tanks, and while freshwater livestock is also available, the saltwater side clearly dominates the floor. One customer picked up a 28-gallon nano cube and raved about how quiet it ran, suggesting the shop also moves quality equipment alongside its livestock.
Elise gets singled out repeatedly for her reef knowledge, happily walking newer hobbyists through the basics of saltwater keeping. Jeff, who has been in the business for over 15 years according to long-time customers, is known for standing behind his livestock and offering fair pricing. The shop runs a rewards program, periodic sales (their Christmas sale drew particular attention), and maintains an active Facebook page where customers can check current stock and promotions.
Beyond retail, Exotic Aquatics offers home tank maintenance. " The maintenance side of the business handles scheduling and regular cleanings for customers who love their tanks but not the upkeep. The shop isn't without its critics — a few reviewers have noted inconsistent communication and occasional brusque phone interactions.
But the overwhelming sentiment from regulars is warmth, trust, and genuine expertise. For reef keepers in the northwest Chicago suburbs, this is a store that knows saltwater inside and out, stocks healthy coral and fish, and treats most visitors like extended family.
What they offer
Livestock, services, water
- Livestock & products
- Services
- Specializes in
Highlights
What makes them special
- Family-owned saltwater specialist run by Jeff and his daughter Elise
- Strong coral frag selection with regular sales events
- Pre-mixed saltwater available for purchase
- Monthly home tank maintenance service available
- Customer rewards program and competitive pricing
From keepers
Customer reviews
“Jeff is the best!”
— sean helton5.05 months ago“Went into the store and instantly got hit with a pungent fish and algae smell. The first thing I noticed was how dirty everything was, so many of the tanks were empty but were still caked in grime. I was also disappointed in their selection of fish, couldve down all they had was maybe 6 clownfish at most. This was the fastest I've been in and out of a store in my life.”
— Gray1.07 months ago“Great store, always clean, and filled with a great selection of healthy fish and coral. Being new to the hobby, Elise is always helpful with sharing knowledge and awesome to work with!!! Always a positive experience!”
— James Kramer5.0a year ago“Hands down the best saltwater fish store”
— Nicholas Castagna5.02 years ago“Love this place!”
— Millie's Playland5.02 years ago“Helpful friendly staff.”
— Clinton Bignell5.02 years ago“I have been using this company for roughy 2-3 yrs, NEVER had any problems before working with James. He was super but he moved recently and then it was Jeff. Since then nothing but problems. Can never reach anyone for scheduling, never text back, & service hours are extremely limited. Long story short, don’t waste your time or money here. Find a place that treats their customers with respect. They need James back!”
— M J1.02 years ago“Great customer service and corals !”
— Nelson Irizarry5.02 years ago“Great staff great products very professional”
— Bob Cooke5.02 years ago“Top notch products and great livestock inventory. Highly recommend. Ask for Jeff.”
— Collecting Asia5.03 years ago
Reference
Frequently asked questions
Note — Store information and services may change. Always call ahead to confirm current availability, hours, and services before visiting Exotic Aquatics.