Big Fish Aquarium

Rolfe Sanberg

2024-01

The moment I walked into Big Fish Aquarium I was greeted professionally and politely. Within 5 minutes I observed the shop to be clean, stocked, and offered a large variety of aquarium life. In moments I came to the realization that the entire staff were passionate, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, patient, and more than happy to further my education in the hobby. I decided to purchase a complete aquarium setup that evening after an extensive conversation on what aquarium tank systems would work and what progression to gradually at aquarium life to the tank. Special shout out to Eddie. I found the entire staff to be excellent. Thanks to them, I have restarted a most enjoyable hobby that I had left many years ago. I forgot how happy, peaceful, and fulfilling it could be. Hats off to Big Fish Aquarium. Bravo!Addendum: It has now been over two months since I bought this aquarium at Big Fish Aquarium. This tank now has over 40 fish 🐠 happily thriving within. The staff at the store continue to provide me with sound advice and knowledge to enhance my abilities to create as well as maintain my aquariums. Kudos to Eddie and all of the staff. Thank you. Your knowledge is appreciated.

TONY ONEAL

2024-04

I absolutely love this store. They always have the type of fish I am looking for . Eddie the owner. is super nice and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to African cichlids. I am so glad he opened .

Benjamin Foote

2024-05

I can't recommend Big Fish enough. The service from the boss man to every single employee is impeccable. Everyone is knowledgable, without a hint of pretentiousness, and it truly feels like they care about the customer experience. I have gotten plenty of fish from here as well as medicine, conditioners, and hardware. I plan to return over and over again - this is what a small business should look like!

Donnell Peoples

2024-04

The store is amazing went once was able to find the fish I was looking for except for one fish and the owner was able to order what he didn’t have. I had it within a week. The store is very great with detail and taken care of their customer. I recommend anyone to check them out. They have all species. I’m definitely going back.

hoang kai

2024-01

Thank you for take time on day time and a lot saving on my new tank. Great inventory of plant and fish available . Definitely coming back .

Jakob Eriksson

2024-04

Excellent local fish store, with a great and varying selection of fresh and salt water fish and invertebrates, as well as all the equipment you might need. Very clean operation, and beautiful displays. The owner is often there, and both friendly and very knowledgeable.

sammy p

2024-04

Big Fish is my go-to for healthy live fish. I travel 40 minutes at most to get to the store and it is worth it every visit. There are plenty of other pet stores all around Chicago that sell live fish and aquarium supplies but Big Fish has had the best consistent quality at reasonable prices.In-store, it is in all honesty a bit cramped; walk space is tight but the positives greatly out-weigh the negatives; as an occasional customer, I am only there to shop good quality goods for my fish:)An acceptable majority of the fish I have bought from Big Fish are great quality and more importantly healthy. Compared to the number of fish keeping stores I’ve visited within a reasonable distance from/in Chicago, I decided that Big Fish is one of my best local options for healthy live fish.Big Fish also has great communications through email or store #; they have answered a majority of my questions or inquiries about in-store stock within a reasonable timeframe professionally.I do recommend Big Fish Aquarium; they undeniably care about quality and their prices are relievingly fair.

Nilton Garcia

2024-01

Great place they had alot in stock from freshwater fish to saltwater fish and corals great staff and owner who help me with some saltwater for my tank while I was there couldn't resist on adding a new fish to my tank great deals also pick up a yellow coris thanks big fish aquarium

Samuel Gutherz

2024-05

Staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Animals are always healthy and well taken care of. Best fish store I've found in Chicago!

Yami “Yami” Rodriguez

2023-05

Great location! The owner is super friendly and very knowledgeable with all the products and fish he is selling. Stopped by to buy food for my Beta fish and Cray fish. I will definitely return to purchase more items.

Nicholas Reyes

2024-02

Eddie and his staff are a wealth of knowledge. I’ve been able to elevate my beginner fish tank into something that I am proud of. They offer great advice and products and will walk you through how to tackle your next project. I am happy and my fish are as well!

Fred Reed

2024-03

Great place to obtain all your aquarium hobby needs. Solid knowledgeable staff. Anything you’re looking for fresh or salt they can get for you. A1 spot.

Glenn Stam

2024-04

Ultra clean tanks, water and store and healthy fish.Been there twice and found there sales staff informative and happy to share their knowledge with questions I had.No pushy sales to sell their products.Been there twice and will be going there again.

Lisa Olson

2024-05

We’re always happy to talk with Eddie, he’s never tried upselling, he’s great at listening and helping with tank questions, and he’s always got good advice!

drew himself

2024-04

Absolutely love this place. Always have a great time coming in and talking fish with Eddie. Look no further for all you aquatic needs. This place is the best!

Peter Moran

2024-02

I came in wanting something that was not appropriate for my needs. I left with a new clownfish and some food. Clownfish is doing great. Prices are great and I like the selection. I asked for something special and he’s working on it. I drive 45 - 60 minutes each way. It’s worth it. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Sean Missey

2024-02

Great LFS. All the right livestock and accessories for me. Nicely curated, staff super helpful with guidance, - its a great resource. Eddie’s been in aquarium industry for a long time and knows what he’s doing.

Earnest Rowell

2024-04

Great store. Very knowledgeable on saltwater reef aquariums. Will meet your fish needs. Stop by and check them out.

Abuelita Maco

2023-09

They are a small place, but they have all the basics. The tanks are clean, and the fish look happy (no floaters or clamped fins). The aquarium water smelled correct. I was impressed with how nicely the aquariums were planted, and how healthy the fish looked. The owner and employees are very nice. I appreciated the time the owner spent helping me and explaining things so my fish would be healthy, and the vision for my aquarium would work out. The owner was very knowledgeable and dedicated.

Theresa Chatman

2024-03

I really like the personal attention they provide. Also they are very knowledgeable about fish care and selection. I’m glad I discovered them.Thank you Big Fish!!!

Adeline Sims

2023-12

Big fish aquarium is a wonderful place to go for all of your for him needs. Their prices are fair and the owner. Eddie is just a wealth of information. It is one of my future choices for my saltwater reef aquarium needs.

Tomas Arteaga

2023-12

Great store with a bit of everything. Freshwater and saltwater fish, shrimp, cichlids and plecos and other fish. They will also order fish for you if you put down a percentage of the purchase price. I ordered a blue panaque pleco that looks amazing. Also recently I purchased a Axolotl which is doing great. Eddie is a great guy to talk fish with.

Keith Eskra

2024-04

A very good selection of fish, also very knowledgeable and friendly. I would comeback as much as I can to see what's new in stock.

Drew Davis

2023-11

Lived in the city for years, visiting all the aquarium shops you’ve heard of. Big Fish is at that level, no question. Great selection, impressive knowledge, everything you’re looking for and more. Well worth your trip out to Oak Park.

Lexie King

2023-09

There are lots of unique fish for both salt and freshwater. I appreciated that the bettas were in decent setups and not just in cups. I had a lot of trouble walking around the store. I did not like that the employee pressured me to go into the backroom and checkout the quarantine fish as I was trying to leave. My hand was literally on the doorhandle. Since I am from out of town and that you couldn't buy them yet it felt more of a brag than a customer retention kind of thing.

HARVEY COLLINS

2023-06

This place is awesome. I always drive by but never stop in. I was glad I did. The selection of beta fish they have are extremely unique. A bit expensive but I guarantee you they will look impressive in any tank. Not a very large selection of fish but the ones they have look very taken care of!

Kyle Riegle

2024-04

Only been open for two months! Owner is friendly and very helpful. Store has some very interesting set-ups and a wide range of freshwater & saltwater fish.Edit- a year later and the store is event better!

Bobbi Church

2023-05

Came in here a month or so back and just loved how the store was set up! Not only does it have freshwater and saltwater but all of the tanks are set up with all the information you could want on the side, and scaped in a way where you can tell they really care about the fish. Eddy is super knowledgeable and is always so nice when we come in. I've bought more plants then I can count from him and many different fish that are thriving. Whether you are new or an expert in the hobby, highly recommend checking the shop out.

Paul J. Lopez

2023-11

Excellent products and friendly knowledgeable staff. Definitely the place to go to for all your aquarium needs. Eddie is the best!

Andrea Dellaria

2024-03

Eddie is the best! Super helpful recommendations and the most knowledgeable aquarium person I know!