Exotic Aquatics

Welcome to Exotic Aquatics, your local pet store specializing in aquatic life, located at 9114 S Virginia Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156, USA. As a part of the "Pet Store Near Me" category, Exotic Aquatics focuses on providing a selection of fish, coral, and related supplies for aquarium enthusiasts in Lake in the Hills and the surrounding areas. You can reach them at (847) 854-6154 or their mobile number, +1 847-854-6154.

Based on the customer reviews, Exotic Aquatics presents a somewhat mixed but informative picture. One customer expressed a highly positive experience, describing the store as "great" and consistently "clean." They also praised the store for being "filled with a great selection of healthy fish and coral," which is a significant indicator for those in the saltwater aquarium hobby. This reviewer, being new to the hobby, specifically highlighted the helpfulness of a staff member named Elise, who was commended for "sharing knowledge" and being "awesome to work with," leading to an "always a positive experience." This suggests that at least some of the staff at Exotic Aquatics are knowledgeable and dedicated to customer service, particularly in assisting newcomers to the aquarium hobby.

However, another customer shared a contrasting and negative experience. This long-term customer (using the company for roughly 2-3 years) reported a decline in service quality after a staff member named James, who was described as "super," moved recently. The issues reportedly began after working with another staff member named Jeff. The complaints include difficulty in reaching anyone for scheduling, a lack of response to text messages, and "extremely limited" service hours. This customer strongly advises others not to waste their time or money at Exotic Aquatics, recommending finding a place that "treats their customers with respect" and expressing a desire for James to return. This review raises serious concerns about the consistency of customer service and the operational efficiency of the store, particularly regarding scheduling and communication.

Considering these two reviews, potential customers should be aware of the potential for both positive experiences, especially regarding the quality of fish and coral and the helpfulness of certain staff members like Elise, and negative experiences related to communication and service scheduling, as reported by a long-term customer after a change in staff.

Typically, an aquatic pet store like Exotic Aquatics would offer a range of products and services focused on aquarium keeping, which may include:

• Live Fish: A selection of freshwater and/or saltwater fish species. The positive review specifically mentions "healthy fish," suggesting a focus on the well-being of their aquatic livestock.
• Coral: For saltwater aquarium enthusiasts, the availability of "a great selection of healthy coral" is a significant offering.
• Aquarium Supplies: This would include tanks, filtration systems, lighting, heaters, substrates, decorations, and other essential equipment for setting up and maintaining both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
• Water Treatments and Additives: Products necessary for maintaining optimal water quality, especially crucial for sensitive environments like reef tanks with coral.
• Fish Food and Invertebrate Food: A variety of food options suitable for the different types of fish and invertebrates they sell.
• Testing Kits and Equipment: Tools for monitoring water parameters such as salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium, alkalinity, and more, particularly important for saltwater tanks.
• Expert Advice and Support: Given the positive mention of Elise sharing knowledge, the store likely aims to provide guidance to both beginners and experienced hobbyists. However, the negative review suggests this may not be consistent across all staff or accessible at all times.
• Aquarium Maintenance Services (Potential): The difficulty in reaching someone for scheduling mentioned in the negative review hints that the store might offer aquarium maintenance services. However, the current reliability of these services seems questionable according to that review.

The environment of Exotic Aquatics is described as "always clean" by one reviewer, which is a positive aspect for any pet store, indicating attention to the health and well-being of the livestock and a pleasant shopping experience. However, the operational environment regarding customer service and communication appears to have issues based on the negative review.

Promotional information is not mentioned in either of the provided reviews. Aquatic pet stores may sometimes offer promotions on specific types of fish or coral, discounts on starter aquarium kits, or sales events. To learn about any current promotions at Exotic Aquatics, it would be best to contact them directly or visit their store.

In conclusion, Exotic Aquatics in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, specializes in fish and coral, with one customer praising their selection of healthy livestock and the helpfulness of a staff member named Elise. However, a long-term customer reported significant issues with communication, scheduling, and overall customer service after a change in staff. Potential customers should weigh these contrasting experiences. If you are interested in purchasing healthy fish and coral and value knowledgeable staff, a visit to Exotic Aquatics might be worthwhile, especially if you can interact with staff members like Elise. However, be prepared to potentially experience the communication and scheduling difficulties reported by another customer. For information on their current stock, services, and any promotions, contacting the store directly is recommended.