I purchased two axolotl about 2 months ago from fish planet and I’m in love they were healthy and happy and they saw me coming! A black spotted and white one. They have grown so much, and were tank mates when we got them so they have gotten along amazing. If you keep their bellies full like the owner said they don’t have those young juvenile tendencies to eat anything that moves. We just went back today and grabbed another one and it’s a yellow spotted axo, and had a lot of help with a water test to just make sure our test were accurate. I’m currently stationed at Great Lakes naval base and I drive 25 minutes just to come to this fish store EVERY TIME!I even FaceTime my dad who is a fish tank god just to show him the shop! Thank you Fish Planet!

Amazing place! After going to a pet store chain and seeing dead bettas and fish in barren tanks, me and my boyfriend went here and we are so glad we did! Wonderful store filled with so many species, in nice aquariums. The fish all look happy! The staff was very knowledgeable, Mark talked to us about what type of Tetra would be best, what we could put with it, etc. Which was great to have as we are pretty new to the aquarium hobby. From bettas and tetras, to pufferfish, eels and axolotls, this is the place to go!

Came here as a new betta owner, never had a fish before. Riley was awesome and answered all my questions. Other employees were kind and greeted me as well. I wanted to buy a snail and some live plants, but Riley suggested I wait on the snail because I have a young tank that's likely to not have enough algae to sustain one. I appreciated that she was more interested in the wellbeing of the animal than selling me something. Great experience. Highly recommend!

Pretty obvious that this store does things right! They sell both fresh and salt fish as well as corals and fresh water plants. I had an issue with a tank I purchased for our grandson. I called Steve at the store and he offered an immediate exchange. It was a manufacturing defect which was not their fault but the way they handled it was a genuine pleasure!

DO NOT GO HERE! The owner was rude, inattentive, and unable to answer any of my questions. The fish I bought also soon died, and he wouldn’t offer me a refund.

Great store if you’re an aquarium nut like me. Steve and his team are friendly and knowledgeable. Fish Planet not only has a great selection of healthy fish but also an amazing selection of aquatic plants, aquariums, and dry goods, and all at fair prices. Be sure to check them out!

Beautiful store!! Filled with a large assortment of freshwater and saltwater organisms at affordable prices. All the fish look healthy and lively. Each aquarium is cleaned with gorgeous scapes. I've bought all my discus here and had no trouble. Owner and employees are very nice and polite. I will come here for any future fish related purchase!

Thanks Steve! Fish Planet is my favorite aquarium store in the Chicago land area by far. Great customer service and selection which can be hard to find in the hobby.

Steve is the bomb. It has been more than 10 years since he set me up with my 110 gallon aquarium and provided expertise in stocking it with South American fish. I bought my fish from Steve (30+) over the course of 6 months, strictly with his recommendations for compatibility and care, most of them nickel to quarter size. Two years later, severums and uaru were big enough to put on a hamburger bun! Not only did he guide me with the compatible tank mates, they thrived and I only lost one fish in 2.5 years. His knowledge helped me through all of the rookie mistakes, heater failure--> ick breakout, power failures, and rehoming fish that outgrew my set-up. The store has a great selection of the African Mopani wood and my fish enjoyed swimming though the caves and exploring the nooks and crannies. Their fish are healthy, tanks are clean, and the inventory and fish displays are always evolving. Bought all of my food, plants and live "treats" (sea monkeys) here too. Now, fast forward and living in CA, my son has started a salt water aquarium. Wishing we were back there in the neighborhood for all the expertise and awesome fish selection as there is no place around us. Wherever you may be, this place is worth the drive, even if you just stop in and give it a look around. Cheers, Steve!

Really a beautiful store with a great selection of fresh and saltwater fish and inverts plus some corals. They also have a small selection of foods and other supplies. They are reasonably priced and they also carry live foods and a very nice selection of spiderwood and other driftwood at great prices. They also have a small selection of plants too. I like to stop by and grab some blackworms. A nice little gem of a store with exceptional staff.

First time in this shop today. Will definitely be my fish stop from now on. My son enjoyed loved this place too. Clean and simple set up with good fish variety selection. Very friendly staffs!

This place is great. Staff helped right away and were super knowledgeable.

This is a great place to bye fish they are very healthy fish and great customer service the prices might be high but it's a very good fish store this is my favorite place to bye my fish from.

This place the absolute best selection of higher end plants. With that being said they are very expensive so we couldn't afford anything. We stopped by mostly to check things out and the owner was on the phone as we looked around. As we were leaving he approached us and apologized for being on the phone and that he likes to great each customer personally. It was a little bit much for me, I don't need a red carpet greeting nor do I want an apology for not getting one. I'll probably come back again with more money in hand.

One of the best stores in the area, hands down. Great selection of fish, knowledgeable staff, and always has the supplies I need.

I'm leaving this review in hopes the owners will see it and address the issues with their stock of axolotls. I can't speak for how previous axolotls they had may have looked. I walked in today wanting to buy some snails for one of my aquariums. I have an axolotl, so I was excited to see they have some. However the closer I got, the worse these poor guys looked. Most missing multiple limbs, most without any gill growth or just a tiny tiny amount, half look starved. Many with peeling slime coats. There are multiple young axolotls in a single tank, and they are cannibalistic until a certain stage of growth, so they really shouldn't be housed together like that. That's why their limbs are missing most likely. They are in full bright light with no hiding places, just open tank. They do best on little to no light. The short time I observed them many were swimming in a somewhat frantic manner. The temperature of the tank appeared to be maybe around 70, it was hard to tell, but these guys do best with lower temps. 70 is the absolute max. Please please take notice and do better by these guys. They are not healthy as they are. I've had mine for almost 2 years raised from being about a half inch long, he's never looked like these guys do. Especially considering the price point, you should be getting a healthy axolotl with full gills, a body roughly the same width as their head and preferably all their limbs (they will grow back, but it needless stress for them.) I hope the owners take notice and get these guys in better conditions. All of the other fish and tanks looked very good, and the snails looked very healthy but I could not bring myself to buy from them because of the poor condition the axolotls are being kept in. There's no reason they should look that way. For reference, the last picture is my axolotl. This is how they should look. Please help them.

Ok so I went to his store today to pick up my geophagus balzanii and what a nice store I really like that place. The owner is a super nice and knowledgable guy. Really nice plants, very good quality, and some interesting fish like Ranibows an pea puffers they all looked healthy and the store super clean and the prices where better than buying online 100% recommended. I will go back for more also he offered to find fish for me thank you Mr Freed.

I bought a female zebra angelfish from here about 2 years ago even though I no longer keep fish but I'd recommend this place over big box chain stores for nice, healthy fish. Planning on returning to the store for hard to find fancy goldfish for my sister.

I have nothing but positive feedback from this place. I have been to many fish stores in my life and this one is by far the BEST. The prices are affordable, the fish are high quality, and the service is unbeatable. I would consider myself somewhat of an amateur fish lover with lots of inquiries on how to improve on my favorite hobby and all my questions were answered impeccably. I had the pleasure of having Mark assist me both times I visited and I have nothing but high regards for him. Side note of you are looking for a store that sells peacock chiclids you really really can't beat the hybrid selection this place offers! LOVE IT!

Contrary to all the good reviews, I would like to give this shady, hoodlum establishment a bad review. First off, the prices of the fish are way too steep. You can find pretty much the same fish priced much cheaper at retail stores like Petco, or at Old Orchard Aquarium. The owner, Steve Freed, is also a shady sketch ball. He doesn't take care of the fish that won't sell. He keeps them in the tank and lets them die. He also has his staff dip the live rock he sells in bleach to remove algae that might appear unsettling. The thing is, it's not really live rock anymore once you dip it in bleach. So customers aren't getting what they paid for. Finally, he pays all his staff under the table so that he doesn't have to pay as much taxes. I wouldn't trust this guy as far as you could throw his fat self, and I certainly wouldn't shop here.

Excellent fish store. Knowledge, fairness and quality. These are the traits you will find at this fish store. Sure, the price may be a little bit higher than elsewhere. However, you will experience great service and delivered healthy, good looking fish.

Exelent

Very helpful employees

This a great place to purchase aquarium fish etc.. The store is well stocked with fish, plants and pet supplies. The aquarium set-up here are in pristine condition. Steve and his staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Come and visit, you won't be disappointed.

Nice shop with a lovely selection of both plants and fish. The staff was very helpful and didn't give me that "condescending fish bro" vibe, it was very relaxed and pleasant! Sad that my LFS is out of business but I drove from Chicago to this shop and wasn't disappointed. Will shop again :)

Always friendly staff and extremely knowledgeable to the art of aquarium keeping. Reasonably priced and my 55 gallon tank looks just wonderful :) keep up the amazing service!

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff, and great selection of supplies in a local shop.

What a huge selection of fish and so many different kinds! The prices are a bit more than the chain stores, but so much more variety here. The employees are all very helpful and knowledgeable as well. This is my go to store for all things related to my fish tanks!

This store is amazing. The bettas are kept in actual tanks where they can swim around! There are so many options for plants, and every tank is beautiful. I've never had a bad experience there, everyone is really helpful.

Great staff, I have been visiting since 2005ish. I've bought many fish, coral, and necessities for my reef tank. Which I had commissioned him to have built.

The staff was very helpful even though we and other customers got there a half hour before closing time. Pricing was mostly competitive for a specialty store. The fish and shrimp we purchased are doing fine and appear healthy.

The staff was helpful and knowledgeable without hovering, and they won't try to sell you on expensive stuff you don't actually need. All their fish were healthy and active and kept in nice clean tanks. The saltwater selection was more limited than freshwater, but there were a couple unusual species even so. A great aquarium shop if you're anywhere in the area!

Wonderful shop with gorgeous tanks and healthy, happy fish! Lots of supplies and live plants for sale. I saw some species of fish I'd never seen before. The two employees I met inside were pleasant and helpful, too.

Stopped in here on my commute home from work and was pleasantly surprised he had some very nice looking African cichlids. The price was right as well and I got 2 great looking Juvies to add to my 155 galling show tank. Cant wait to come back and get some more. Store is laid out well, and has a lot of variety in a quaint space. Going here isn’t a transaction, it’s an experience Thanks!

I was very impressed with the quality of car the fish received. Prices seemed inline with the market and the gentleman that was the worker was knowledgeable and a good employee. I thought that maybe he was the owner because of his demeanor and care taken to keep the aquarium glass clean after bagging my fish. The young lady working there was very knowledgeable too and gave me a suggestion on putting a power head in with my South American puffers to see if they stop glass surfing. So very impressed with workers knowledge and the store is clean healthy and organized.

Very nice little fish shop. All the tanks were clean and there was a large variety. I went in looking for 3 things came out under budget with exactly what I wanted.

I’ve been helped by everyone who works there now so I can say that they are all knowledgeable and helpful. I’m a beginner so I should also add that they are patient and encouraging! They have a really nice selection of fish and plants and they will help you get what you need.

This is a great place. Extremely clean and maintained. The staff are kind people. Great selection of fish and accessories. Thank you for your fabulous service.

Absolute beautiful selection and store. Stopped in when I was driving through the area yesterday. I'm an hour away in Wisconsin. I would go back to this store before going to local stores. The quality of fish and prices are very fair. Store was the cleanest and most well maintained, I have see out of the hundreds of aquatic stores, I have been to throughout many States.

A great selection and incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff it's worth the 40 minute drive.

Incredible people very knowledgeable and the tanks are top notch definitely a place to buy stock

Very helpful staff and great knowledge transfer will definitely come back again

The associate working there and owner were equally polite and respectful in spite of us being there at the closing time. They have many of those quality brands that you often fine only with online stores, especially Brands like Oase, Ultum Nature. I love that they have Black worms and live Brine Shrinps as well

Stopped in on a bit of a lark and was blown away. Not a huge shop, but the variety and depth of types of freshwater fish were amazing. These aren't the ones you see at big box pet stores, these are the kinds you see and hear about on websites and YouTube. Staff was very friendly. Will come back for all future purchases.

Visited the store on 3/20/2020. Bought two beautiful and health clown fish that are thriving in my first saltwater tank. I had many questions for the staff about my freshwater planted tanks and saltwater tank. They are very knowledgeable and patience regardless of it being busy. This place is ~30 minutes away from me so it is a drive but worth it for any person that has been in the hobby for a long time or just starting out. (4th visit)

Nice selection. Very clean and well maintained. The fish look healthy.

Very kind and professional service, fish in very good condition, a large selection of fish, plants and aquarium equipment. I was here today for the first time and I forget 100% about other shops of this type. "Fish Planet" is my favorite aquarium shop from today.

Recently got red cherry shrimp all of them have been really happy inside my fish tank also got neon tetras very healthy and active if your into this hobby you should def check this store out I know people might say it’s a bit expensive but to be honest in the condition these animals are there’s nothing to complain. (They are really not) also the cleanest Fish store I have been in years Def 5 Stars also my new Fish store! :)

Nice Place For Fish!!!

Nice store, good prices.

Clean tanks, healthy stock 🐟👍🐡

Very knowledgable and helpful. Great selection and reasonable priced. I was impressed that they were really honest and guided us as to what would be best for us, not what would be the biggest purchase. Plan to return for more when ready.

It is the best aquarium place I have ever been to. They have a little more freshwater than salwater but they still have a lot of coral. They have lots of supplies and the employees are very helpful. Go there!

Wow absolutely amazing. And the the girl Saturday working is very informative and so nice great person for the store. She may be young but she knew everything in everything and was beyond a big help. Good job guys. We will tell others and be back again

Absolutely love this place. My go to for practically all my fish needs

Great selection of fish and live plants

The fish at fish Planet are super healthy and the customer service is great

(Translated by Google) It has a great variety of fish. (Original) Tiene una gran variedad de peces.

Nice little store. Good live plant selection.

GREAT PLACE TO BUY FISHES AND YOUR PETS NEEDS

Small place but you would be surprised what kinds of fish they have, very nice place to get fish and to look around, employees are very informative and will help you, nice and friendly..got my sons first fish here for our 40 gallon fresh water aquarium and we were delighted!

(Translated by Google) Great selection of fish, plants and feed! Friendly staff. (Original) Отличный выбор рыб, растений и кормов! Доброжелательный персонал.

The best fish store on the North Shore.

Best fish store in Chicago and the owner is super nice!

Great place to get peacock cichlids he hand picks them. Awesome people

Knowledgeable staff. Healthy fish!

Riley was awesome

Helpful staff and a great selection.

Beautifully maintained store with knowledgeable staff. Truly a pleasure to visit. Always have new, hard to find, interesting fish available.

The staff here is very knowledgeable and their tanks look like they are in really good shape. The selection is pretty strong considering the size. One of the best I've been to in the Chicago area