Oarai Aquarium

Aqua World

Aquarium logo
Aqua World
Date opened	April 2002 (as Aqua World)[1]
Location	Oarai, Ibaraki, Japan
Land area	19,800 m2 (213,000 sq ft)[2]
Coordinates	36°20′00″N 140°35′38″E / 36.333347°N 140.593822°E / 36.333347; 140.593822Coordinates: 36°20′00″N 140°35′38″E / 36.333347°N 140.593822°E / 36.333347; 140.593822
Number of animals	68,000[2]
Number of species	580[2]
Total volume of tanks	4,100 m3 (1,100,000 USgal)[2]
Annual visitors	1,100,000 (2008)[3]
Memberships	JAZA[4]
Website	www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/access/top_access.html

Oarai Aquarium (now Aqua World) is a 19,800 square metres (213,000 sq ft) aquarium in the Higashiibaraki District of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, North of Oarai port at the mouth of the Naka River. Many varieties of sea species, especially fish, can be found in Aqua World. The fee for entry varies according to the age group.

Exhibits

The aquarium contains 60 tanks, with a total tank volume of 4,100 cubic metres (1,100,000 USgal).^[2] The largest tank contains 20,000 individuals of about 80 species. The shark tank contains 2 species of sharks,^[3] and includes tunnel which lets visitors walk under the fish.^[1] The 270-cubic-metre (71,000 USgal) sunfish tank contains 8 individual ocean sunfish.^[3]

Marine mammals at the aquarium include sea otters, California sea lions, and spotted seals. Sea birds are represented by Humboldt penguins and tufted puffins.^[5]

Museum

The third floor contain the Sea Life Museum and the Ocean Information Plaza. Hands-on exhibits in these areas let visitors learn about the anatomy an behavior of fish and other sea life. The exhibit contains sections on seaweed, plankton, and sharks, as well as a display where visitors can hear the calls of all 18 penguin species.^[6]

Shows

The Ocean Theater has dolphin and whale shows, as well as an underwater viewing area.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Aqua World Oarai Opens its Doors". alientimes.org. Alien Times. April 2002. http://www.alientimes.org/Main/AquaWorldOaraiOpensItsDoors. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "The Summary of the Facilities". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. http://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/sisetu/top_sisetsu.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Message from Director". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. http://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/aisatu/top_aisatu.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 
4. ^ "Member's List/Aquarium". jazga.or.jp. JAZA. http://www.jaza.jp/english5.html. Retrieved 13 January 2011. 
5. ^ "Marine Mammals at Aqua World-Oarai". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. http://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/kaijyu/top_kaijyu.html. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 
6. ^ "The Museum Area". aquaworld-oarai.com. Aqua World Oarai. http://www.aquaworld-oarai.com/english/fukyu/top_kagakukan.htm. Retrieved 13 February 2011. 

External links

• Official website