Gigantic marine tanks at the Minnesota Zoo

I spent yesterday out at the Minnesota Zoo. There are four absolutely gigantic marine tanks. One is a giant reef (I can't even guess at the actual size of this tank) that has several bottom-feeding sharks, as well as a bunch of other colorful fish. You can see it from above or through a viewing window that runs along the floor) The second is a slightly smaller (by slightly smaller, I mean the viewing window is around 20' tall, and it's probably 30' wide, and 15' or more far back. That tank has several predators (like sharks and moray eels) as well as a bunch of large fish. There's also a feeding time for this tank that includes a QA session. Then there's the estuary tank, which is only about 4 feet deep, but has a very big footprint. There are only two types of residents of the estuary tank, some sort of relatively peaceful, spotted shark, and some kind of ray. The great thing about this tank is it's a petting tank. Then there's the tide pool tank that's filled with anenomes and sea stars. Again a petting tank.

 

Why would you want to pet an anemone....? lol what ever... Any way, have you seen the aquarium in the Bahamas with that mantaray?!??! its bigger than a car!

 

To know what they feel like. Really, I question more why someone would want to pet a sea star. They just feel like rocks. Anenomes are cool.
I've never been to the Bahamas, and haven't seen a manta ray in any tank, though I would like to.
My favorite marine display would have to be in one of the Disney parks in Florida. They've got a big cylindrical tank filled with cuttlefish. Cute little buggers, and they react to sudden moves by instantly changing colors. It's really neat.

 

I love that - those BIG tanks that you can look at for hours. I've noticed more petting tanks at aquatic-oriented attractions and as long as it's safe for humans and the sea life - it's a great way to get a lot of people more interested and aware of the amazing life in the waters of our planet. They've got a great-sounding setup there and living here, i've been to the Disney tanks many times - one of the most fun (and expensive) places to eat is the restaurant by The Living Seas in EPCOT.. have you been there? The food is good but not nearly enough of it (typical of an expensive place).

 

Nope, wasn't there. When I went to Epcot, I ate at the cafeteria type places.
The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, MN has a really cool couple of petting tanks, too. One is a freshwater stingray tank (de-barbed rays). They do feedings in the mornings. I've had the pleasure of getting to see the feedings both times I've been there. They also have a sturgeon petting tank.

 

Nope, wasn't there. When I went to Epcot, I ate at the cafeteria type places.
The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, MN has a really cool couple of petting tanks, too. One is a freshwater stingray tank (de-barbed rays). They do feedings in the mornings. I've had the pleasure of getting to see the feedings both times I've been there. They also have a sturgeon petting tank.

yea, The Land is the cheapest place to eat in Epcot really.. that place over at the living seas has a big wall made of special plexiglass so there's no distortion and you can dine while looking into the tank. and if you really want to blow some money, you can go scuba diving in the tank too. !

 

Heres a pic of that manta ray, but they get bigger than this!