Coral Reef Pet Center

Max Bartosik

2024-01

I've been going here for decades. The new owners are awesome, super friendly and helpful but I think they are overwhelmed. The crawfish I picked up is every bit as chill with his tank mates as I was told he would be while still being an absolute blast to watch putz around my tank.

Vanessa Zalewski

2024-02

Absolutely horrible and disgusting. New owners have absolutely neglected ALL animals in the store and have done little to no cleaning for the animal spaces or even in the general store. No food or water in the cages, fish tank is DISGUSTING you cannot even see the fish. I will be filing a complaint to the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Animal Welfare because these owners are ANIMAL ABUSERS! DO NOT GO HERE! ANIMALS ARE IN POOR CONDITIONS AND PRACTICALLY LEFT TO DIE!

Dawn CB

2024-01

New owners are completely irresponsible. The place is a disaster in the authority should shut it down. The animals cages are beyond filthy. The food in the cages is rotten. There are bugs all over, the floors are filthy, the fish tank in the front of the store, looks like it’s filled with mud not water. I looked at cat food, it was expired. The animals are clearly not being well cared for do not board your bird here. It used to be an amazing place to shop, those days are long gone.

Kelly Marie

2024-02

I had my fish for 5 years & I than couldn't keep them. Coral Reef took my fish & added them to the display tank I can at least live with myself knowing that they have a place to be. So grateful Cool & nice people.

Jakub Pekala

2024-02

Horrible experience here, the staff was okay but you could tell by looking around that they don't care for these animals or fish. I'm guessing that the fact this place is 4.6 stars is good reviews from when the old owners were around or that they're buying positive reviews. Please do not support this place unless they clean up their act, and their store.

Arianna Amen

2024-02

Bought 2 fishes from this place, both have died within 4-9 days, my most recent had become pale and ill (deceased) the workers had no knowledge on their fishes, completely nasty and dirty, same with the reptile and bird area full of flies, food was expired the big fish tank in the front was musty and could not see the big fish in the tank. Overall this place has no respect for the animals they chose to work for.

Jakob Eriksson

2024-03

Poorly maintained, dirty, and crowded. Seems the aquarium section lost their main person some time back - everything is in shambles and super dirty. But the rest is similarly dilapidated. I visited with my kids, and was sorry they had to see the animals in this condition. Left quickly. Two stars instead of one because they do have a lot of animals.

anika ballard

2024-02

I’d rate this place negative stars if I could. I’ve been to a lot of fish stores and some aren’t the best, but they never have made me uncomfortable to be in like this place did. Found 7 dead female bettas in a tank and the tanks that didn’t have dead fish surprised me due to their lack of upkeep. Very sad

Angeles Serrano

2024-04

I was inside the store for a mere 10 seconds and had to run out of there. The stench was horrible to begin with and there was rat poop everywhere on the floors. So, so very dirty. Very neglected shop and absolutely disgusting. DO NOT ENTER!

Sarah Martínez

2024-01

This place was awful. Immediately entering the stench is unbearable. Fish tanks are so filthy, you can’t even tell what most fishes are. Gnats everywhere, bird cages looked like they haven’t been cleaned in weeks, things on shelves are dusty, even the staff looks like they can’t keep up with themselves. I hope they get it together. It has great potential, but animals are severely undercared for.

Taylor S

2024-02

Absolutely horrible conditions for these poor animals!! There are dead reptiles just laying there in cages. Reading the reviews, I see there are new owners. Hopefully they can fix this place up and give the animals better living conditions.

Katie Bergstrom

2024-02

This place is horrific. The animals are not properly cared for and just left there to rot. I only live 5 minutes from this place and it’s saddens me when I always see that poor disgusting algae covered fish tank displayed for everyone to see in the front window. The poor bearded dragon most definitely has metabolic bone disease just by looking at the tank conditions and how the poor guy moves. SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN

Paulina

2024-02

Absolutely horrible conditions for the animals. The place smells awful, all fish tanks have dirty water in them, cages covered in feces. The whole place is just filthy and disgusting. Shame on whoever owns this place!!

Wolf

2024-04

Horrible new owners. Don't understand how to take care of the animals. Found bugs in my bird's food from them. Needs new management asap

Victoria S

2024-04

I went there since I was a kid but these new owners are horrible they basically abuse the pets it smells in there the animals are neglected I would love to take the animals in. If there are animals that need homes coral reef please hmu

Tina G

2024-02

well the old owner was super cool. I remember about a year ago or so less than 2... I went in there and a new owner bought the store. So sad cause he knew nothing about the fish. I asked about several fish and he kept saying how he didn't know and just bought the business.thank God I and my child have been doing fish for years so we had knowledge but new owner was useless when it came to knowledge on fish and even the type of fish he had. He couldn't even name them.wonder why would you purchase a business that you know nothing about?I remember seeing the old owner there at least 20 years. He knew his stuff. Hope things are well with him. Was telling husband since I went with the new owner and had such a bad experience I never went back again. It was sad because for 20 years it was my favorite place to get rare pretty cheap fish.I will be in area soon and will stop by to see if they steppedUp their game.

Sanja Lilic

2023-10

That's a complete disaster. That stinks there, to start with. But the worst are the conditions. The animals leaving in the worst possible conditions. Small cages, female rabbit with a dead babies around. Fishies sick. Terrible store. If I could I would give - 100 stars.Definitely not recommend to anyone, not even to my enemies.

Ray FIZZLE

2018-05

They have many live pets to choose from. Reptiles, fresh and salt water fish, birds and small animals. Have never seen dogs or cats. Live aquarium plants as well. Staff is very helpful and friendly and there is plenty of parking. The animals here are very well taken care of. Love this place.

Jordan Pryor

2019-05

To preface this I'm reviewing their fish sales side of the business I didn't experience the rest of their business and frankly I never care to. That being said this was hands down the worst fish store I've been to in the Chicagoland area. I've never seen so many sick and deceased fish in one place. The pictures below were taken 1/16/2019. The first is of two dead clown knifes in a tank. The second is of a silver dollar covered in ich. I understand that as a fish business there are going to be bad shipments that lead to dead and sick fish but this was just a sampling of the issues going on. I saw no indication on the tanks that they were being treated in any way. Unfortunately it only got worse as I looked at the tanks in disbelief. After 15 mins or so someone arrived with a new shipment of fish and they started putting the bags into all of the aquariums- yes the ones with sick and deceased fish. I would have liked to talk to one of the employees before writing such a negative review, but in my entire 30 mins in the store no one said a word to me. I walked around, took my pictures, and left. To the owners- if you're unaware of this please take a harder look at your fish room. You are actively killing fish and selling sick fish to your customers. I hope this is not what you want your business to be known for.

George Bobeck

2024-04

Edit 4/23/2023: Looks permanently closed as windows are papered over and the pet shop sign on the shopping center sign has been reversed.Very disappointed. Small animal section was filthy, with a very bad odor and animals in distress.Employees are difficult to find when you find something among their nonexistent stock you wish to purchase.My Previous review from 2017, 5-starsOne of the best neighborhood pet shops. This shop has an exceptional staff.They also are one of the very few places in the area which will board birds. Prices are very reasonable, and my parrot seems to like it there.The shop's owners also own the RC shop a few doors down. They have built a RC track in the basement of the pet shop, and they host weekly races.

Marieta Ivanova

2021-05

Best place to bay all for your pets and the people are so friendly there! They have real experience from years worked with animals and their owners. Highly recommend 👍👍👍

Kamila Bielska

2024-02

went into this place the other day and it was absolutely horrible. there was gnats flying everywhere and multiple dead animals. place should be shut down

Hill

2024-01

Very cool family owned pet store. If they don't have what you looking for , they have no problems ordering what you maybe looking for.

Tania Corona

2023-08

The had a unique and cool selection of animals. That being said, the overall place lacked hygiene and was overall filthy. I saw most animals kept in poor conditions. Aquariums were neglected and in extreme neglectful conditions. Overall, would not recommend.

Jeffery Davis

2023-10

There are definitely some positives here. The staff is very helpful and the selection is good, but some of the conditions for the animals are really not ok. There are multiple examples, but the one that was the most upsetting was a gorgeous macaw who seems to rarely come out of a cage that is just barely large enough for a sleep cage.I came twice first thing in the morning and assumed that the reason she wasn't out and able to move around was because they simply hadn't finished opening. On a third visit, in the middle of the day, the poor girl was still in her cage, and I asked if she ever got to come out. The worker told me she had been out the day before, meaning she spends at least 24 hours at a stretch in a spot that was way too small. Cages that size are really only ok as safe sleeping locations. The birds need out during the day. I imagine I'll get a response from the shop that her conditions are ok. I have worked with exotic animals for years, they are absolutely not ok, and she is starting to show some signs of stress.

Kathleen Smith

2023-06

Since recent new owners took over the store seems to be returning to its stellar state it was for many years. Good luck to you. Outstanding service and great fish! Much success!

Rick Oquendo

2023-06

New owners/management!!! As of this review, they may have taken over maybe a month ago. And wow, have they already turned that place around!! They've cleaned everything up and things look a lot more organized. The aquarium side is being redone, and still in the process of it, but has already come a long way. The aquariums look cleaner and the fish look better!! I spoke to Mario (tons of knowledge in that area with years of experience) and hopefully the variety of fish is changing to more exotic, rather than your run of the mill fish that you can get at any chain pet store (they have a Florida Gar!!) Even the bird section got cleaned up and reorganized, and they're adding reptiles to that area too!! I cannot wait to see what else they bring to this store, and the changes that are coming with it, as they've already done a fantastic job so far. I'll definitely be going back to give them my business, if not just going to hang out and see what new fish come in 😁

jake roerig

2023-05

We were greeted by a extremely nice lady while walking in and both people we met while their were more than helpfull and extremly kind making our visit great. Out of all 7 stores we visited while driving around chicago looking for fish this is the only place that we even bought one from and not only because of competive prices or kindness but because hey had the only fish out of all 7 stores that we even liked and bought plus they had a customer appreciation sale going on at the time making our visit even better, nothing better than a store who shows how they care. These guys are awesome in my book and show how alot of places should be ran, were finding the few good salt water fish stores in every surround city and because of our great experience here i feel have to leave review.I had to drop this to 4 stars only because I asked for a special fish and never got it or even a call and ive called back 4 times to see before finally giving up, still a great store but can't give 5 stars anymore because of this

Sev

2023-10

BIRD OWNERS BEWAREI give up with this place. Used to buy all my lovebird's food here, but as of recently, your seed dispensers have bugs in them. Place smells like it hasn't been cleaned since the last owner left. Horrible conditions for those animals you're selling

C. Del Rosario

2023-09

Hidden gem when it comes to variety of fish. It's a "pet" store with dog food, birds and such but half the store is dedicated to aquatics.UPDATE Aug 15, 2023Well, it seems like they have a new owner(s). But this is a review if their aquatics section. It's gone downhill. Most if not all the tanks were unkept and filled with algae. Fish selection was not very diverse. Oh well, maybe they'll improve.