Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific (previously the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific[3]) is a public aquarium located on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California. The Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction are all located across the lake.
The aquarium receives 1.5 million visitors each year and employs over 1,875 people, including more than 1,500 volunteers and approximately 375 workers. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
The aquarium is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognized member (AZA).
Exhibits
Southern California & Baja Gallery
The Southern California & Baja Gallery depicts the region’s many environments. The first exhibit is the three-story, 142,000-US-gallon (540,000 L) Blue Cavern tank, which houses species found in the waters surrounding nearby Catalina Island. The Amber Forest display follows, and it recreates a Giant kelp forest complete with Garibaldi, California scorpionfish, and other representative creatures. Cortez rainbow wrasse, Mexican lookdowns, porcupine fish, and more species can be seen at the Gulf of California exhibit. The museum also features a 211,000-gallon (800,000 L) Seal and Sea Lion Habitat, Ray Touch Pool, and Shorebird Sanctuary.
Northern Pacific Gallery
The Northern Pacific Gallery is dedicated to organisms found in the Bering Sea. The Sea Otter Habitat, which houses southern sea otters, the gigantic Pacific octopus tank, and Diving Birds, which houses puffins and auklets, are among the exhibits. Japanese spider crabs, jellyfish, and sea anemones are among the other species on show.
Tropical Pacific Gallery
The Tropical Pacific Gallery houses the aquarium’s largest tank, the 350,000-US-gallon (1,300,000 L) Tropical Reef Habitat, which showcases creatures found off the coast of Palau’s islands. This tank is home to olive ridley sea turtles, zebra sharks, and a variety of other animals. There are also big-bellied seahorses, leafy seadragons, weedy seadragons, and sea kraits in the Gallery.
Explorer’s Cove
Explorer’s Cove, the aquarium’s primary outdoor area, including the Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Forest.
Shark Lagoon
Over 150 sharks and rays are housed in this 10,000-square-foot (930-square-meter) exhibit space. The main tank is home to larger spec rays, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, zebra sharks, and a sand tiger shark, while the three touch pools are home to more docile bamboo and epaulette sharks.
Lorikeet Forest
The Lorikeet Forest walk-through aviary is 3,200 square feet (300 m2) in size and houses five rainbow lorikeet subspecies as well as the violet-necked lory. For a price, guests can feed them little amounts of nectar.
June Keyes Penguin Habitat
The Magellanic penguin exhibit launched in May 2012. Guests may watch the penguins from within the tank thanks to an underwater crawl-in zone.
Pacific Visions
In 2018, the aquarium debuted Pacific Visions, a 266-seat 4D theater with a 30 foot tall, 180-degree wraparound screen. The film lasts 8 minutes and is included with aquarium admission. There are also new animal exhibits, such as a cleaner shrimp touch tank, and interactive art installations in the wing.
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