Barrier Reef Aquatics
5716 S. Archer Ave.* Chicago, IL 60638
Phone (773) 581-7333 * Fax (773) 581-7337

Monday to Friday 12-8 * Saturday 12-6 * Sunday 12-5

Review - Very clean store, very knowledgeable and friendly staff. They have some very good prices and a good selection of animals. They carry saltwater fish and corals and also freshwater fish and some reptiles. All livestock is healthy and they will always feed the fish so that you can see them eat before you buy. 24 hour guarantee on all livestock with water sample. They also take special orders. The owners, Mike and Rob, have many years of experience and should be able to make this one of the best stores in the Chicagoland area. They have now moved to a larger store.

Odd Lot Pet Shop (Web site not available)

7731 S. Harlem Ave.*Bridgeview, IL
Phone (708) 598-4141

Review - Freshwater, saltwater fish, corals, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and supplies. A single 125 gallon reef tank with an average of about 20 corals. Many common saltwater fish with an occasional rare find. Very large freshwater selection. Prices on corals and fish are average for the Chicagoland area. The owner, Dan, is helpful and has good knowledge of the animals that he sells.

Reef Dweller
6023 N. Lincoln Ave. * Chicago, IL 60659
Phone (773) 743-5574

M-F 12-7 * Sat 12-6 * Sun 12-4

Review - This is a really nice store. I have never seen so many clams and SPS corals in any of the stores that I have been to like they have here. There were at least 100 clams and over 400 SPS frags when I went there. The prices were very reasonable and the frags are all captive raised. The owner was very helpful and friendly and more than willing to help. He also knew the name of SPS coral that I asked him about. If you are looking for a large selection of SPS or clams this is the place to go.

Palos Pet Shop (Web site not available)

6419 W. 127th St.*Palos Heights, IL
Phone (708) 371-7110

Review - Family owned pet shop. Freshwater, saltwater fish, birds, reptiles and supplies. Small freshwater and saltwater fish selection. The store is not high tech but the quality of the fish are excellent. There are some rare finds here every so often and I have had very good luck with all of the fish that I had purchased from them. They do not carry corals but do have some live rock. Prices on the fish are about average. The owner, Bill, is always helpful and friendly.

Scotts Pet Shop (Web site not available)

3054 Wolf Rd.*Westchester, IL
Phone (708) 562-5000

Review - Large pet shop. Freshwater, saltwater fish, corals, birds, reptiles, and supplies. Many saltwater and freshwater tanks. Mostly common saltwater fish. Three large 220 gallon coral tanks with shelf style display. Corals are mostly LPS open brains and Soft leathers with an occasional clam or other rare item. Prices on all corals where $35.00 last time I was there in December of 2000.

Advanced Aquatics
879 S Roselle Rd. * Schaumburg, Illinois 60193
Toll Free (888) 550-3311
Phone (847) 882-5747

M-F 10-8 * Sat 10-6 * Sun 11-4

Review - This store used to be Splash of Life in Elgin. They had just opened when I visited there but they already had some nice corals and fish. The store is first class and the prices seemed very reasonable. It is also one of the only stores that I have been to that sells MH lamps and fixtures along with highend skimmers that you can actually see and touch before you purchase. Overall it seems like a good place with a great deal of potential.