I recently had occasion to visit the SeaQuest in Woodbridge, NJ. While it certainly can't compete with the major aquariums in the area, like New York and Adventure, it was a nice aquarium that offered a lot of opportunities for feeding and interacting with the animals. And despite the constant food being thrown into the tanks, and the open-top design allowing for little hands to be splashing and reaching in, they were extremely clean with very clear water. It is true that their pigs had what appeared to be a very small enclosure, but otherwise, their animals seemed to have roomy enclosures and were all healthy and well stimulated. I paid for an otter encounter (I wouldn't recommend it), but due to state laws, it really only allows for you to go behind the scenes and feed the otters through pvc pipes inserted into the plexiglass, and only if the otters seem interested. The otters were super excited, which thrilled my daughter, and they seemed to enjoy the interaction as much as she did. The keeper seemed a little worried that we were there to document some perceived mistreatment of the animals, but I didn't witness anything that was untoward in the least.
Regarding the species on display, I was suitably impressed given it was an aquarium in a mall, although they did not have much signage. From memory, unique (or at least unique for the aquariums I've been to) species they had included Bat Rays, Grey Smoothhound Sharks, Asian Water Monitors, and Saddled Bichir. They also had a freshwater stingray, a pig-nosed turtle, and 2 baby Arapaimas, which I can say I've never really seen, and they sure were cute. Their aquarium of baby bamboo sharks, which also included egg cases in various stages of development, drew a lot of attention, especially given that they had the adult bamboo sharks in the touch tank right next to them. It was a nice touch. Also, I don't know whether to be intrigued or repulsed by the "spa," which for $14.95 allows you to stick your feet into an aquarium and the fish eat the crud and scuzz off your feet for 4 minutes. I didn't partake, but there were many people who were waiting.
They also have a great interactions with Green Iguanas, which were apparently abandoned pets, and domestic Bengal Cats (which, of course, look wild to most people).
While they could do a lot to improve, it was a great, interactive aquarium that allows kids to get up close to animals they otherwise couldn't, the keepers were knowledgeable enough for the general public, and they seem to genuinely care about the animals in their charge. I would only recommend going if you have children or if you just really like feeding fish.
