On Monday, the massive 2,000-gallon aquarium that anchors Something Fishy Pets in Fox Lake suddenly ruptured, sending a surge of water through much of the shop and trashing the store’s signature centerpiece. The family and staff quickly pivoted from caring for fish to squeegeeing floors, and a friend in the pet industry has already stepped in with a fundraiser to help cover the damage.
As reported by CBS Chicago, the shop said the top seam of the tank gave out and that the break came without warning. According to the station, the aquarium held about 350 fish, and employees managed to rescue "a few hand fulls," though most did not survive. The shop’s post noted that the tank is a total loss and that the owners are now in limbo while they wait for their insurance claim to be processed.
Friend launches fundraiser to replace centerpiece
A friend and colleague, Trevor O'Gorman, started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family-run shop rebuild, writing that the failure "destroyed everything in sight." The campaign page says the owners bought the store in February 2025 and had been slowly transforming the tank into an Amazon-style display, a long-game project that vanished in a matter of minutes. The organizer warned a new tank from a reputable maker could cost "easily $20,000 - $30,000," and the fundraiser shows an early tally of donations toward its stated goal.
Small shop, big centerpiece
According to Something Fishy Pets' website, the business is family-owned and caters to hobbyists and families, with the huge aquarium serving as a longtime draw. Since taking over the shop, the owners had been working to restore and upgrade displays, and that showpiece tank was locally famous as the heart of the store. In the days after the rupture, neighbors and aquarium hobbyists have been leaving messages of support on the shop’s social pages and on the fundraiser, turning the comment sections into a kind of virtual community bulletin board.
How to help
People who want to assist can donate through the GoFundMe campaign. The organizer says that if insurance fully covers the loss, any extra funds would be directed to charity. The owners have asked for patience while cleanup and insurance reviews move forward and have publicly thanked early supporters for their offers of help. We will update this story if the shop posts an official recovery plan or if local officials provide additional information.
