Underwater Adventures

[JDogg]

for those of you who do not know... Underwater Adventures is considered to be the worlds largest undergrown aquarium. if is found in the basement of the Mall of America here in Bloomington, MN.

basicly you walk and start off seeing different native minnesota fish. then through a tunnel that goes through 4 different tanks... Mississippi River, Amazon River (this is new) a shark tank and a Reef tank. at the end there are some smaller tanks, and finally a shark/ray "petting tank".

so i went this weekend and though i would share some pictures...

A whole load of Gar, some bass and various other fish in the Mississippi river tank...

remember you walk through a tunnel so this 5 foot Paddle fish was swimming over my head

checking out the "petting tank"

 

[rich311k]

Great photos, thanks for sharing them.

 

[theotheragentm]

Cool. That mall has everything.

 

[roka64]

checking out the "petting tank"

Looks like you are not too sure if you want to pet the ray! LOL!!
Awesome pics, BTW.

 

[artoledo]

Man, that is one of the many places I would like to go see. "The Mall" not the petting tanks. lol

 

[An t-iasg]

Cool pics...the alligator (crocodile?) is scary looking! Where's the rest of the octopus?? 8O That's an interesting marine arrangement in the clownfish tank. It looks like you had a good time!

 

[JDogg]

checking out the "petting tank"

Looks like you are not too sure if you want to pet the ray! LOL!!
Awesome pics, BTW.

i did not pet the ray, not out of fear, but i did not want to add to the fact that it looked like it was missing slim coat off its back.

is the harm to the fish justified if it allows for greater appreciation of sharks by people?

 

[roka64]

checking out the "petting tank"

Looks like you are not too sure if you want to pet the ray! LOL!!
Awesome pics, BTW.

i did not pet the ray, not out of fear, but i did not want to add to the fact that it looked like it was missing slim coat off its back.

is the harm to the fish justified if it allows for greater appreciation of sharks by people?

Ouch, well props for you taking care to not harm it any more!

 

[Zoodiver]

Great pictures.
Just as an FYI, elasmos don't have a 'slime coat' per say like other fish to. Bumps and scuffs are normal on animals like them. Touching them is not a negative thing at all. Most animals like those rays and sharks thrive on that regular interaction with humans.

~Matt