Albuquerque Aquarium

The ABQ Biopark Aquarium, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States is a facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park and is located next door to the Rio Grande Botanic Garden. The ABQ Biopark Aquarium exhibits Gulf of Mexico and South Pacific saltwater species from a variety of habitats, including surf zone, shallow waters, coral reefs, open ocean and deep ocean. The highlight of the aquarium is a 285,000 U.S. gal (1,080,000 l) shark tank with a 38-foot (12 m)-wide, 9-foot (2.7 m)-high, 8-inch (200 mm)-thick acrylic viewing window. Jellies: Aliens of the Sea, featuring moon jellies and Japanese sea nettles, and the Pacific Coral Reef Tunnel are popular with aquarium visitors. The South Pacific Gallery features seahorses, pipefishes, and colorfully patterned reef fish. The Rio Grande at Central Bridge exhibit in the aquarium lobby offers visitors an opportunity to compare the kinds of fish that lived in the Albuquerque reach of the Rio Grande 100 years ago and those found today. The Shark/Ray Encounter allows guests to have a guided, up-close experience with bamboo sharks and stingrays.

ABQ BioPark Aquarium
The ABQ BioPark Aquarium building
Date opened5 December 1996 [1]
LocationAlbuquerque Biological Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Coordinates35.0932°N 106.6790°W / 35.0932; -106.6790
Volume of largest tank285,000 U.S. gallons (1,080,000 l)[1]
MembershipsAZA[2]
Websitewww.cabq.gov/biopark/aquarium

The Albuquerque Biological Park is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Exhibits

The Albuquerque Aquarium was built as a themed aquarium, with visitors starting at a fountain that depicts the headwaters of the Rio Grande and ending at a 285,000-U.S.-gallon (1,080,000 l) saltwater tank which holds species from the open ocean of the Gulf of Mexico.[3][4]

After entering the museum, visitors first view freshwater tanks that display fish from the Rio Grande, both currently found and those no longer found in the river today. Adjacent is a small movie theater displaying informational films on aquatic life. Following this is a Gulf of Mexico Coast Gallery, which contains several exhibits depicting the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, with fish and bird species from this region as well as stingrays, and a Texas Terrapin exhibit, and a retired shrimp fishing boat. A replica of a coral reef displaying such fish as parrotfish, angelfish, grunts, porcupinefish, and triggerfish comes next; followed by a coral reef tunnel exhibiting several types of fish species found in the South Pacific. The next exhibit is a series of small tanks exhibiting "oddities" such as clownfish, seahorses, pipefish, jellyfish, hagfish, cuttlefish, and nautilus. On occasion, there will also be a touch pool tank open that contains stingrays and bamboo shark pups.

The final exhibit, a 285,000-U.S.-gallon (1,080,000 l) saltwater tank with a 38-foot (12 m) viewing window,[1] displays six shark species (sandtiger sharks, sandbar sharks, blacktip sharks, nurse sharks, zebra sharks and tasselled wobbegongs), tarpon, barracudas, stingrays, large schooling fish, moray eels and three species of sea turtles (loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and hawksbill). Every day divers enter the tank to do daily chores like feeding and cleaning.

A restaurant and a gift shop are also located in the building.

Conservation

The Albuquerque Aquarium currently runs a facility that focuses in the conservation of fishes found in the Rio Grande. The project includes the Rio Grande silvery minnow breeding program and the Socorro isopod. In January 2008, three blacktip shark pups were born at the Albuquerque Aquarium, making it the first birth of this species of shark ever recorded in captivity. The births were caught on video, which is available for viewing.

The stated mission of the aquarium is to educate the public about the world oceans and the animals that live within. Events are held year round and include monthly sleepovers, a "Shark Week", camps for children during the summer and spring, and celebrations for World Oceans Day, and Earth Day.

Future Exhibits

An updated aquarium entrance is in the new master plans for the aquarium. A recent bond was passed to help bring in a North American Otter exhibit towards the existing Pelican pond. Other new plans include updated local fish exhibits.

Former Exhibits/ Residents
  • A model boat exhibition hall was found in the Aquarium. It has closed and will serve as a location needed for the Otter Exhibit.
  • The Current Terrapin Exhibit housed baby american alligators before terrapins, and fished before alligators.

Notes
  1. "Albuquerque Aquarium". bioparksociety.org. New Mexico Biopark Society. Archived from the original on 19 December 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  2. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
  3. "Albuquerque Aquarium". cabq.gov. City of Albuquerque. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  4. "Aquarium and Botanical Garden Map" (PDF). cabq.gov. City of Albuquerque. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
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