Located in Porto Maravilha, AquaRio houses around three thousand animals in 28 tanks, totaling 4.5 million liters of saltwater.
The Marine Aquarium of Rio de Janeiro – AquaRio – opened its doors on November 9, in an area of 26 thousand square meters, with five floors and 28 tanks that together hold a total of 4.5 million liters of saltwater. It will be the largest aquarium in Brazil and South America. About three thousand animals from 350 different species can be found in a variety of marine ecosystems. Biologist Marcelo Szpilman is responsible for the design, direction, and technical responsibility of the project.
The main attraction is the Oceanic Exhibit, with 3.5 million liters of water and seven meters deep, where the public can cross the tank through an underwater tunnel, as well as experience swimming with fish, rays, and the feared sharks. The venue will also host the activity “Sleeping in the Aquarium,” aimed at children aged 6 and older who want to spend the night in the depths of AquaRio. The touch tanks offer a unique opportunity to get even closer to aquatic animals and touch the rays and sharks. The other exhibits house species such as surgeonfish, grouper, brotula, dogfish, scorpionfish, bamboo shark, morays, and whitetip reef sharks, among others.
The Virtual Aquarium features fish created by visitors through innovative technologies that allow for the customization of the animal – species, color, size, and name – and interact with it through the digital screens spread throughout the place, which even welcome you upon entry. The Science Museum has permanent and temporary exhibitions on topics related to the marine and aquatic environment.
Meanwhile, the Surf Museum showcases the history of surfing in Brazil and the world through historical surfboards, some used since the 1960s, and a collection of photographs. Visitors can also take a behind-the-scenes tour for those who want to dive deeper and see the entire structure of AquaRio and its operations.