The Aquarium of the Pacific (formerly the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific ) is a public aquarium on a 5 acre 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. 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. The aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit aquarium and is a current member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Exhibits

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

Southern California & Baja Gallery

The Southern California & Baja Gallery features the varied habitats of this region. The first exhibit is the 142,000 USgal 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. The Gulf of California exhibit houses Cortez rainbow wrasse, Mexican lookdowns, porcupine fish, and others. Other areas of the gallery include the 211,000 USgal Seal and Sea Lion Habitat, Ray Touch Pool, and Shorebird Sanctuary.

Northern Pacific Gallery

The Northern Pacific Gallery focuses on organisms from the Bering Sea. Exhibits include the Sea Otter Habitat, home to southern sea otters; 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.

Gallery