London Aquarium

The London Aquarium is housed in the County Hall, a historic early 20th century building which was the seat of the London Greater Council until it was abandoned in 1986. The aquarium opened in 1997 and occupies several stories at the center of the building.

The aquarium is spread over three floors. More than 3000 species of sea animals and plants can be found here in about 50 water tanks containing an amazing 2 million liters of water, making it one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

The aquarium is divided in a number of zones. Each of these zones represent a different biotope such as pools, oceans and rivers. There is a large water tanks which simulates the biotope of the river Thames. Other biotopes have water tanks with octopuses, squid and jellyfish.

The biggest attraction is a huge water tank with a large number of sharks and sting-rays. Another large tank, in the Indian Ocean zone, has sting-rays, firefish, sea anemones and frilled sharks.
Sharks are the most popular animals in the aquarium although piranhas, rays and seahorses also attract plenty of onlookers. The rays are especially popular with children since they can caress the rays in a special open tank.