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Aquarium uncovered
ZSL's Aquarium is split into three halls, providing visitors with an insight into all that swims underwater! Take a trip to each and learn all you wanted to know about endangered species, those that can kill a horse and fish that were rescued from the Thames.
Hall 1: Conservation Projects
© ZSLAs the general public enter the Aquarium, this is the first room they visit. All fish housed here are part of a project, such as a breeding programme aimed at saving them from extinction. Rudd fish swim through Regents Canal which flows through the zoo. You can see a selection of large Thames fish, as well as a tank of Eurpoean eels that are part of the Thames estuary conservation project. There are several British rockpool tanks, featuring pink sea fan, spiny starfish and seahorses, and just one Caribbean reef pool. Some of the fishes swimming about are almost extinct, with often only three left in the world. And don't forget the piranhas!
Hall 2: Coral Reef
A number of tanks contain coral reef fish - such as copperband and butterfly fish - which can be spotted in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Reefs are vital for the environment and they protect the land from big waves by breaking them before they reach the shore. Thousands of fish make their homes in coral reefs, which are under threat from pollution, global warming and fishing with dynamite. As the reef tanks come to an end, visitors are treated to the sight of big fish!
Hall 3: Amazon Fish
Three 'electric tanks' are on display, holding electric eels and a glass knife fish. An interesting addition to the section is the Lungfish, which digs tunnels in mud to avoid drying out during the dry season. It blocks the entrance to the tunnels with 
© ZSL bails of mud to stop moisture escaping. By breathing with its lungs and feeding from mud it can survive until rain falls again. The Amazon hall presents the 'flooded rainforest', which is the biggest tank in the aquarium and keeps several stingray.
The public can also see into the breeding room, as well as viewing art exhibitions where the work is for sale.
Make your visit more interesting by downloading our aquarium sheet and see how many species of fish you can tick off!
