Taraporewala Aquarium is located on Marine Drive in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is India"s oldest aquarium and one of the city"s main attractions. The aquarium was built in the year 1951 and hosts both marine and freshwater fishes.
Foundation of Taraporewala Aquarium
On 9th May, 1947 the foundation for the Aquarium was laid by Honourable Chief Minister Mr. Balasaheb Kher of Mumbai. It had been inaugurated by India"s first president Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The aquarium was named after a Parsi Mr. Taraporewala, who donated a huge amount for the construction of this aquarium. It took around 3 years to complete the complicated structure of the 2 floored building. It was re-opened after renovation on March 3, 2015.
Different Species in Taraporewala Aquarium
The aquarium has a variety of aquatic life for the tourists to explore. The main attractions are 7 types of coral fish brought from Lakshwadeep Islands and various types of sharks, turtles, ray fishes and morays. In the right at the entrance a large Whale"s skeleton is displayed. A combination of fresh water fish like Piranha, Catfish, Freshwater Sharks and Turtles and many salt water species like Sea Snake, Eels, Puffer Fish, Octopus and Sting Rays, including 7 types of Coral Fish from the Lakshwadeep Sea can be seen here.
The exotic fish from overseas has been introduced at the new aquarium. Helicopter, Arowana, Gruppen, yellow-striped tang, blue-spotted stingray, star, clown, hark, trigger, Grouper, Moorish idol, Azure Damsel, Blueline Demoiselle, Purple Fire Fish, Cloudy Damsel, Copperband Butterfly Fish, Schooling Banner Fish, Raccoon Butterfly Fish, White Tail Trigger, Clown Triggerfish and Blue Ribbon Eel. The varieties of freshwater fish would include Red Devil, Jaguar, Electric Blue Jack Dempsey, Frontosa and Catfish.
The tropical section of the aquarium already feature different ecosystems such as the "Moss Aquarium" for pregnant fishes, "Plantation Aquarium" that features imported varieties of water lilies and other aquatic plants and "Island Aquarium".
New attractions at Taraporewala Aquarium
Taraporewala Aquarium was re-opened after renovation on March 3, 2015. The renovated aquarium has:
•A 12 feet long and 360 degree acrylic glass tunnel. The fish will be kept in large glass tanks, which will be lit with LED lights.
•Amphitheatre with 50 seats, screening documentaries on fish, marine ecosystems and environment conservation.
•Touch pool, where curious visitors can touch star fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and turtles which are harmless.
•Fish spa where one can dip their feet in one of ten tanks of Doctor Fish. The fish nibble and remove dead skin from the feet and legs.
•Semi-circular tank housing Jelly Fish.
