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A 335,000 U.S. gallon (1.3 million litre) aquarium at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California displaying a simulated kelp forest ecosystem

A public aquarium (plural: public aquaria or public aquariums) is the aquatic counterpart of a zoo, housing aquatic species for viewing. Most public aquaria feature a number of smaller tanks, as well as those greater in size than could be kept by most any home aquarist. Since the first public aquriums built in in the mid-1800s they have became very popular and their number have dramatically increased. Most modern aquaria focus on conservation issues and educating the public.^[1]

The first public aquarium was opened in London Zoo in 1853.^[2] This was followed by the opening of a number of public aquaria in Europe (for example, Paris 1859, Hamburg 1864, 1868, Berlin 1869 and Brighton 1872). P.T. Barnum quickly followed with the first American aquarium, which opened on Broadway in New York. The example was later followed, (Boston 1859, Washington 1873, San Francisco 1894).

In 2005 the non-profit Georgia Aquarium with more than 8 million US gallons (30,000 m³; 30,000,000 liters) of marine and fresh water, and more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species opened in Atlanta, Georgia. The aquarium's notable specimens include whale sharks and beluga whales.

Seal interacting with visitors at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Modern day aquarium tanks can hold millions of U.S. gallons of water and can house large species, including dolphins, sharks or beluga whales. This is accomplished though thick, clear acrylic glass windows. Aquatic and semiaquatic mammals, including otters,^[3] and seals ^[4] are often cared for at aquaria. Some establishments, such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, have aquatic aviaries.^[5][6]

Most aquaria will have special exhibits to entice repeat visitors, in addition to its permanent collection. A few have their own version of a "petting zoo"; for instance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has a shallow tank filled with common types of rays, ^[7] and one can reach in to feel their leathery skins as they pass by.

Also as with zoos, aquaria usually have specialized research staff who study the habits and biology of their specimens.

Feeding time at the Melbourne Aquarium draws a large crowd

Most public aquaria are located close to the ocean, for a steady supply of natural seawater. An inland pioneer was Chicago's Shedd Aquarium^[8] that received seawater shipped by rail in special tank cars. The early (1911) Philadelphia Aquarium, built in the city's disused water works, ironically had to switch to treated city water when the nearby river became too contaminated. ^[8]Similarly, the recently opened Georgia Aquarium filled its tanks with fresh water from the city water system and salinated its salt water exhibits using the same commercial salt and mineral additives available to home aquarists.

In January 1985 Kelly Tarlton began construction of the first aquarium to include a large transparent acrylic tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, a task that took 10 months and cost NZ$3 million. The 110-meter tunnel was built from one-tonne slabs of German sheet plastic that were shaped locally in an oven. A moving walkway now transports visitors through, and groups of school children occasionally hold sleepovers there beneath the swimming sharks and rays.

Top public aquaria are often affiliated with important oceanographic research institutions or conduct their own research programs, and usually (though not always) specialize in species and ecosystems that can be found in local waters. For example, the Vancouver Aquarium in Vancouver, BC is a major center for marine research, conservation, and marine animal rehabilitation, particularly for the rich ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest.^[9]

• List of aquaria
• Zoo