Austin Aquarium Austin Aquarium News
- Thread starter TheOnlineZoo
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TheOnlineZoo
Well-Known Member
The Austin Aquarium opened today, and I visited this morning.
As expected from the size of the building, it was relatively small (although I've been in three others that were smaller), but it was laid out very nicely. Some of the comments I've read about the Idaho Aquarium compared it to a pet store, but the Austin Aquarium was nothing like that. Several of the exhibits were still empty (some in quarantine, others waiting for the permits to come through), but they had a decent amount of stuff and a nice variety.
There were a LOT of staff members working the floor. All of them were very friendly, and several that I talked to were biologists. I assume the quantity (and perhaps experience) of the staff on the floor in the future will decline, but they are working hard to make a good first impression.
I'm not excusing any of the activities of either of the Covino brothers in Idaho or Oregon, but I will say that they seem to have learned from past mistakes and are trying to do better in Austin.
In summary, I'll say that this aquarium will never make anyone's "must see" list, but it was better than I expected it to be. I think it will be fine for families and field trips, and that is probably their target demographic anyway.
You can see photos of a few of the animals here:
The Online Zoo - Austin Aquarium
As expected from the size of the building, it was relatively small (although I've been in three others that were smaller), but it was laid out very nicely. Some of the comments I've read about the Idaho Aquarium compared it to a pet store, but the Austin Aquarium was nothing like that. Several of the exhibits were still empty (some in quarantine, others waiting for the permits to come through), but they had a decent amount of stuff and a nice variety.
There were a LOT of staff members working the floor. All of them were very friendly, and several that I talked to were biologists. I assume the quantity (and perhaps experience) of the staff on the floor in the future will decline, but they are working hard to make a good first impression.
I'm not excusing any of the activities of either of the Covino brothers in Idaho or Oregon, but I will say that they seem to have learned from past mistakes and are trying to do better in Austin.
In summary, I'll say that this aquarium will never make anyone's "must see" list, but it was better than I expected it to be. I think it will be fine for families and field trips, and that is probably their target demographic anyway.
You can see photos of a few of the animals here:
The Online Zoo - Austin Aquarium
Other 2023 News:
On January 16th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) ring-tailed lemur named Cay/Cayenne was born and is now on exhibit
Austin Aquarium
This little guy turned 1 month old and he finally has a name!!! His mom Pepper would like to introduce you to…..Cayenne aka Cay!! Come in and see him... | By Austin Aquarium | Facebook
On April 2nd, the zoo announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) American Pekin duck named Bubbles, a (0.0.1) magpie duck named Buzz, and a (0.0.1) Swedish Blue duck named Blue.
Meet the newest additions to the Austin Aquarium family! Check out this video and more on our TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRcMQXvB/ We... | By Austin Aquarium | Facebook
Austin Aquarium
Meet the newest additions to the Austin Aquarium family! Check out this video and more on our TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRcMQXvB/ We... | By Austin Aquarium | Facebook
Austin Aquarium
On January 16th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) ring-tailed lemur named Cay/Cayenne was born and is now on exhibit
Austin Aquarium
This little guy turned 1 month old and he finally has a name!!! His mom Pepper would like to introduce you to…..Cayenne aka Cay!! Come in and see him... | By Austin Aquarium | Facebook
On April 11th, 2024, the aquarium announced that a ring-tailed lemur named Dobby was born which is on exhibit.
Spring time is baby time! Cute video of our baby- Dobby, munching on some fruit! We are open everyday from 10 am-8 pm... | By Austin AquariumFacebook
Spring time is baby time! Cute video of our baby- Dobby, munching on some fruit! We are open everyday from 10 am-8 pm... | By Austin AquariumFacebook
A new push by PETA to have the City of Austin shut down the Austin Aquarium. The founder, Ammon Covino, pleaded guilty to animal trafficking charges in 2013 when the aquarium opened. PETA is pushing the City again after the recent resignation of Vincent Covino, the brother of Ammon and CEO of the Austin Aquarium’s parent company, SeaQuest.
Animal advocates re-up calls for the closure of the Austin Aquarium
Animal advocates re-up calls for the closure of the Austin Aquarium
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
Some updates from a recent visit: The aquarium no longer has African Penguins, I was told by a keeper that they were moved to the San Antonio Aquarium to be closer to the penguin vet at SeaWorld. Also the aquarium took in some sturgeons. I got conflicting info on what species the sturgeons are, I got told white sturgeon and lake sturgeon by different people, to me they look more like lake sturgeons. The old penguin exhibit is apparently being renovated for small crocodiles as they mentioned it was never really suited for the penguins. The aquarium had two Red-Ruffed Lemurs born in the last month, they only have red and black-and white ruffed lemurs now, the Common Brown Lemurs got taken in by a former employee and the ring-tailed lemurs got sent to another facility, but they didn't say to where.
Makes sense, it was used for smooth-fronted caimans in the past. I wonder if they are going to move their moreletes crocodiles into the space? They must be growing larger than the tanks they are/were in when I was there last may.
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the Morelet's Crocodile was in the old Burmese Python enclosure when I last went, it could definitely use more water area.
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
some news from today's visit:
A group of 4 baby Nile Crocodiles have replaced the african penguins, no real changes to the habitat itself though.
an exciting new addition for the cephalopod fans. the aquarium somehow managed to aquire a Blue-Ringed Octopus. I asked one of the staff where they got it from and he said they got it from Australia but didn't know where it came from exactly. To my knowledge this is the only Blue-Ringed Octopus on public display in the US. The octopus lives in the former mantis shrimp tank. I assume they just got it as there was no signage for it yet.
A group of 4 baby Nile Crocodiles have replaced the african penguins, no real changes to the habitat itself though.
an exciting new addition for the cephalopod fans. the aquarium somehow managed to aquire a Blue-Ringed Octopus. I asked one of the staff where they got it from and he said they got it from Australia but didn't know where it came from exactly. To my knowledge this is the only Blue-Ringed Octopus on public display in the US. The octopus lives in the former mantis shrimp tank. I assume they just got it as there was no signage for it yet.
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Fascinating, thanks for the updates!