Where is a good place to purchase fish in the Chicago area

Tropiquatics is one option

Maybe this was mentioned - the gcca classifieds take wanted ads. Someone is breeding what you are looking for.

Mail order isnt a terrible option, either. You cna usually find a few guys willing to split the freight.

I have been to Aquarium Adventure and Tropiquatics...both are really nice places.... I didn't find anything of real interest at tropiquatics.... At Aquarium Adventure I did find a better selection. I bought a couple young Taiwan Reefs and a Sunshine Peacock. Prices were about $15 a fish showing minimal to no color. I would definitely go back though.

In addition to reaching breeders / dedicated hobbyists through a Wanted Ad ,in our classifieds, you can also probably find a couple of larger scale Malawi breeders via the Classifieds and set up a day of appointments. I would also try to do that around a GCCA monthly meeting and go to that as well if you can. Usually there rare Malawi fry in BAP and you can have others bring fish there.. Sorry you missed the Classic's silent auction, swap meet and regular auction. Taken as a whole, way better selection than any local fish store could hope to offer.

One other decent fish store in Lombard, Illiinois - Tropiquatics, but I'm thinking it might be too general purpose for you and more or less on the Tanganyikan side for Africans. Also, a fish store in Lake Geneva picked up quite a bit of stock from the Classic. You might want to call Broad Street Pets first, explaining what you're planning and to see if Bruce has something you might want. Lake Geneva would add time to your trip even though it's kind of in between Chicago and Milwaukee.

What are the next swamp dates?

Scubadiver is right on with coming to Chicago to find a good shop, chicagos best shop is prob aquarium adventures which I hate to say, chicago hasnt had a good selection since the 90's, but I've noticed too that milwaukee is a shell of what it used to be in its selection of good shops.....

Can someone please advise me on some good fish stores in the Chicago area? I live in Milwaukee and am tired of the poor selection here. So I am going to plan a road trip to Chicago for fish.