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Aquarium of the Pacific

Coordinates: 33°45′44″N 118°11′49″W / 33.76216°N 118.19692°W / 33.76216; -118.19692
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Aquarium of the Pacific
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33°45′44″N 118°11′49″W / 33.76216°N 118.19692°W / 33.76216; -118.19692
Date openedJune 20, 1998[1]
LocationLong Beach, California, United States
No. of animals11,000[2]
No. of species500[2]
Volume of largest tank350,000 US gallons (1,300,000 L)[3]
Annual visitors1.7 million[4]
MembershipsAZA[5]
Major exhibitsCoral Reefs: Nature's Underwater Cities, June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Lorikeet Forest, Northern Pacific Gallery, Shark Lagoon, Southern California/Baja Gallery, Tropical Pacific Gallery, Frogs: Dazzling and Disappearing, Sea Otter Habitat[2]
Public transit access A Line  Downtown Long Beach (A Line)
Websitewww.aquariumofpacific.org

The Aquarium of the Pacific (formerly the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific[3]) is a public aquarium on a 5-acre (20,000 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.[6]

The aquarium is visited by 1.7 million visitors a year and has a staff of approximately 1,875, including more than 1,500 volunteers and 375 employees.[4][7] The aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit aquarium and is a current member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).[6][5]

Exhibits

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The aquarium features a collection of over 11,000 animals, representing over 500 different species, in exhibits ranging in size and capacity from about 5,000 to 350,000 gallons.[3]

The Pacific Ocean is the focus of three major permanent galleries, Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific.[2] These exhibits introduce the inhabitants and seascapes of the Pacific, and include conservation messages specific to each region.

A diver addressing a group of visitors using a specially adapted mask in the Blue Cavern exhibit
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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 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 Touch Pool, and Shorebird Sanctuary.[8]

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The Northern Pacific Gallery focuses on organisms from the Bering Sea.[10] Exhibits include the Sea Otter Habitat, home to southern sea otters;[11] the giant Pacific octopus tank; and Diving Birds, where puffins and auklets live. Other species on display include Japanese spider crabs, jellyfish, and sea anemones.[10]

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  • Entrance to the Tropical Pacific Gallery, designed to replicate a tropical coral reef lagoon.
    Entrance to the Tropical Pacific Gallery, designed to replicate a tropical coral reef lagoon.
  • California sea lion during a training session.
    California sea lion during a training session.
  • Top of 350,000 gallon tropical habitat, viewable only during behind-the-scenes tours.
    Top of 350,000 gallon tropical habitat, viewable only during behind-the-scenes tours.
  • One of the touch pools.
    One of the touch pools.
  • Video of leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) eating.

References

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  1. ^ "Remembering Grand Opening Day". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. 17 June 2008. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Aquarium Exhibits". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific". visit-los-angeles.com. Analytical Software Packages, Inc. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  4. ^ a b Abel, David (2016-08-02). "Top aquariums in the US, in terms of visitors". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  5. ^ a b "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  6. ^ a b "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Aquarium of the Pacific Institutional Fact Sheet" (PDF). aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Gulf of California". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Northern Pacific Gallery". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  10. ^ "BP Sea Otter Habitat". aquariumofpacific.org. Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
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