Oceanarium

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. Opened in 1930, it houses over 20,000 specimens from approximately 1,500 species of aquatic animals. The facility boasts a total water capacity of about 5 million gallons.

Key exhibits include the Caribbean Reef, featuring a large circulating tank with sharks, sea turtles, and diverse fish species. The Oceanarium, a significant addition from 1991, is the largest indoor marine-mammal pavilion globally. It replicates a Pacific Northwest coastal environment, showcasing beluga whales and dolphins in extensive pools, alongside seals, sea otters, penguins, and seahorses. More recent exhibits, like Amazon Rising and Wild Reef, further enhance the visitor experience by recreating distinct aquatic ecosystems.1

An oceanarium is specifically a saltwater aquarium designed to display marine life, particularly oceanic fish and mammals, serving purposes of entertainment, education, and scientific study. Maintaining oceanariums presents complex challenges due to the delicate balance of salinity, temperature, acidity, and oxygen levels.2