The Genoa Aquarium

L'Acquario di Genova

The Genoa Aquarium is a spectacular structure. Its tanks, containing approximately four million litres of water, make it a unique structure in Europe. These tanks reproduce the natural habitats of the Mediterranean Sea and the world's oceans and at the same time respect their biological equilibrium. The technological and aesthetic solution adopted are the most advanced in the world, and the 50 tanks, four of which are oceanic, house over 1000 different species.

Visiting the Genoa Aquarium is a unique experience. It is a close and unique encounter with the undersea world and its numerous inhabitants. The enormous oceanic tanks allow one to observe the marine world from two different perspectives: the first above the sea and the second offers an underwater view. The latter allows to discover the secret lives of sharks, dolphins, seals and an infinite variety of fishes.

The Genoa Aquarium also has an educational function. It teaches youngsters how to respect the environment and how to behave with other creatures. The Educational Department of the Aquarium ensures that the fascinating adventure of discovery can also become a pleasant opportunity for learning to respect nature.

The penguins housed in the Genoa Aquarium belong to the Humboldt species. They originate from the Antarctic and the extreme South America coast. The tank in which they now live allows the visitor to observe their behaviour on land and visually follow them underwater.

The bed of the Red Sea is rich in colourful corals that are used by numerous species of fish as camouflage. Hidden among the brain and umbrella coral, one will discover the inhabitants with their almost bizarre names which reflect their salient characteristics. Among these are: butterfly fish, the triggerfish, the porcupine fish and damselfish.

The Genoa Aquarium houses young harbor seals. The animals can be observed from a suspended bridge which hangs over a faithful reproduction of the Sardinian rocky coast.

The coral reef represents many equatorial and tropical regions. The reef is made up of numerous species of madrepore and coral which form a circular "barrier" around the volcanic islands. Caribbean coral reef is one of the most fascinating tanks of the aquarium. It houses sergeantfish, surgeonfish, puffer fish and squirrelfish.

Sharks are cartilaginous fish which move continuously in order to breath. In fact, a continuous flow of water must pass through their gills in order for them to breathe. The individuals housed in one of the largest tanks of the Aquarium were captured off the Florida and belong to the grey shark species.

The Aquarium'dolphins belong to the Tursiops species, which are found in many temperate and tropical zones of the world's seas. The dolphins are well known for their friendliness and docile character. The tank is 23 metres long and reproduces the atmosphere Mediterranean coast.