Aquarium of the Pacific
| Aquarium of the Pacific | |
|---|---|
Aquarium of the Pacific in February 2024 | |
Interactive map of Aquarium of the Pacific | |
| 33°45′44″N 118°11′49″W / 33.76216°N 118.19692°W | |
| Date opened | June 20, 1998 |
| Location | Long Beach, California, United States |
| Land area | 6 acres (24,000 m2) |
| No. of animals | 12,000 |
| Volume of largest tank | 350,000 US gallons (1,300,000 L) |
| Annual visitors | 1.4 million (2007),[1] 1.6 million (2016)[2] |
| Memberships | AZA |
| Major exhibits | Stars of the Sea, Frogs: Facing a Changing World, Southern California Gallery, June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Shark Lagoon, Sea Otter Habitat |
| Public transit access | Downtown Long Beach (A Line) |
| Website | www |
The Aquarium of the Pacific (formerly the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific[3]) is a public aquarium on a 6-acre (24,000 m2) site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California, United States. It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction. The location also has its own street, Aquarium Way.[4]
The aquarium is visited by 1.6 million visitors a year and has a staff of approximately 1,800, including more than 1,500 volunteers and 300 employees.[2][4] The aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit aquarium and is a current member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).[4][5]
Exhibits
The aquarium features a collection of over 12,000 animals in exhibits from 5,000 US gallons (19,000 L) to 350,000 US gallons (1,300,000 L) in capacity.[6][4]
The Pacific Ocean is the focus of three major permanent galleries: Southern California/Baja Gallery, Northern Pacific Gallery, and Tropical Pacific Gallery.[7] These exhibits introduce the inhabitants and seascapes, and include conservation messages specific to each region.
Southern California/Baja Gallery
The Southern California/Baja Gallery features the varied habitats of this region. The first exhibit is the 142,000-US-gallon (540,000 L) three-story Honda Blue Cavern tank, which houses animals that live in the waters surrounding Catalina Island.
Next is the Casino Point exhibit, which replicates a giant kelp forest with Garibaldi, California scorpionfish, and other representative organisms.[8] The Gulf of California exhibit houses Cortez rainbow wrasse, Mexican lookdowns, porcupine fish, and others.[9] Other areas of the gallery include the 211,000-US-gallon (800,000 L) Seal and Sea Lion Habitat, Ray Habitat Touchpool, and Shorebird Sanctuary.[8]
Northern Pacific Gallery
The Northern Pacific Gallery focuses on organisms from the Bering Sea. Exhibits include the Sea Otter Habitat, home to southern sea otters; the giant Pacific octopus tank; and the Diving Birds Exhibit, where puffins and auklets live. Other species on display include Japanese spider crabs, jellyfish, and sea anemones.[10]
Gallery
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Entrance to the Tropical Pacific Gallery, designed to replicate a tropical coral reef lagoon.
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California sea lion during a training session.
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Top of 350,000 gallon tropical habitat, viewable only during behind-the-scenes tours.
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One of the touch pools.
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Video of leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) eating.
References
- ^ Larsen, Peter (June 14, 2008). "Aquarium of the Pacific marks 10-year anniversary". The Orange County Register. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ a b Abel, David (August 2, 2016). "Top aquariums in the US, in terms of visitors". Boston Globe. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ Hill, Russell T.; Vyneman, Gary J. (April 11, 2001). "Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation" (PDF). Attorney General of California. p. 1. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Aquarium of the Pacific Institutional Fact Sheet" (PDF). Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ Donegan, John (July 1, 2025). "Meet Inca and Milo, the newest penguins at the Aquarium of the Pacific". Long Beach Post. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ "Aquarium Exhibits". Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ a b "Southern California Gallery". Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ "Gulf of California". Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
- ^ "Northern Pacific Gallery". Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved September 27, 2025.