“Moskvarium”海洋馆丨俄罗斯莫斯科丨Aqua Logo Engineering

EUROPE’S LARGEST OCEANARIUM BUILT IN MOSCOW AT VDNH

It is a satisfaction to know that Europe’s largest oceanarium, the “Moskvarium”, is the result of our company’s efforts as well. Engineers, designers, interior designers, workers, installation staff, ichthyologists and other specialists of the Aqua Logo Engineering in only two years had managed to perform the most challenging task of the investor, the Group of Companies “Kievskaya Ploshchad”. After all, the aquarium exposition that we designed for the “Moskvarium” occupies an area of almost two soccer fields – 12,000 sqm – and includes 80 saltwater and freshwater aquariums ranging in size from a two - storey cottage to a small birdhouse.

The Centre of the Oceanography and Marine Biology “Moskvarium”

However, almost a hundred of expositional aquariums with seven thousand animals of five hundred species is only what the visitors of the oceanarium can see. In fact, the number of aquariums and aquatic organisms is considerably larger. Special quarantine premises are equipped with another 463 large and small fish tanks for acclimation of new fish, cure of aquatic organisms, preparation of sea water, and cultivation of zooplankton and phytoplankton.

To ensure continuous water purification in all aquariums and tanks we have designed and installed an appropriate number of life - support systems equipped with reliable pumps, filters and measuring instruments from the world’s leading manufacturers. Moskvarium is an ultramodern engineering project, second to none among the entertaining and educational facilities. No wonder it is promoted as the Center of Oceanography and Marine Biology.

“Moskvarium”’s Director Marina Zhuravleva: "On the opening day the “Moskvarium” received over 14,000 visitors"

The interest in the new oceanarium demonstrated by Muscovites and visitors to the capital surpassed the wildest expectations of marketers. The Director of the Oceanography and Marine Biology Centre, Marina Zhuravleva, informed that on the opening day, August 5, 2015, the Moskvarium was visited by over 14,000 people.

In the first days after the opening the “Moskvarium”’s popularity ran high

The aquarium exposition of the Moskvarium features four components: space, style, inhabitants, comfort.

SPACE

The first thing the visitors can see is the spacious hall of the “Moskvarium”. The oceanarium built into the basement of the Moscow Shopping Centre “RIO” has a very limited space and, therefore, the functionality. At the same time our designers could develop the aquarium exposition of the “Moskvarium” on a larger scale.

The “Moskvarium” accomodates three cafes, a phytobar and a restaurant. You can enter the huge building of Moskvarium absolutely free, just to drink coffee or even have lunch in one of cafes and restaurants located on different floors. Also, sharks, rays and other fish of the main sea aquarium can be watched from the above free of charge. You can also buy souvenirs in the marine shop. However, it’s better to do it after exploring the entire exhibition.

You can buy tickets online or in 16 ticket offices of the oceanarium. Then you may go down the stairs or escalator or elevator (especially for disabled people).

TheOceanarium entrance area

The Aquarium can be accessed down the stairs, by escalator or elevator

An entrance to the aquarium exposition

Before exploring the exposition you can view the map and learn about the places to visit, where you can relax, have a snack or go to WC.

A “Moskvarium” map

STYLE

All the “Moskvarium” exposition halls feature in laconic manner and quiet colors. As envisioned by the designers, nothing should distract visitors from the wonders and colors of the underwater world, as if you are in an underwater cruise ship engaged in round-the-world trip through the planet’s water bodies. Designers and decorators aimed to create the interiors of the aquariums, aquaterrariums and water tanks as close as possible to the natural habitats of fish and other animals in the aquarium.

INHABITANTS

In the “Moskvarium” you will not see numerous cages with monkeys and other terrestrial animals which complemented the aquarium expositions in our first oceanariums in Voronezh and Moscow. The expositional subject of the “Moskvarium” as the Center of Oceanography and Marine Biology is limited to demonstration and study of aquatic organisms, i.e. animals adapted to living in the aquatic environment. The “Moskvarium” collection includes about 500 species of aquatic animals, including those which no other Russian oceanarium has, e.g. cuttlefish or boxfish. However, as an exception, the exposition "Waters of South America" includes two species of birds. Note that in some cases the inhabitants indicated on the exposition scheme may be temporarily moved to quarantine or other aquariums.

COMFORT

How long does it take to explore one aquarium and its diverse inhabitants? A minute, three, ten? It is clear that a minute is not enough. You should read what is written on the plates and find in the aquarium every fish whose species and characteristics you have just learned. On average it takes 5 minutes to explore an aquarium. Multiply 5 by 80 (actually, there are more than 80 aquariums). Almost a whole working day! You might also want to eat, drink, and so on. The “Moskvarium” ensures the satisfaction of physical needs of visitors, even those on wheelchairs, without leaving the aquarium exhibition.

WALKING THROUGH THE AQUARIUMOCEANARIUM EXPOSITION

The journey through the planet’s water bodies will be facilitated by the map of the oceanarium or rather its parts corresponding to certain expositions.

The first expositional hall

The first aquarium exposition is called “The Sea Wanderers”. Here, in a 150 cubic meters sea life aquarium with two large acrylic windows the cow-nosed rays demonstrate their leisurely swimming resembling to the flight of flocks of birds. The cow-nosed rays share the space of aquarium with eagle rays and axhead sharks.

The Aquarium with stingrays contains 150 cubic meters of seawater

Further, visitors explore the expositions "Russian freshwater Fish", "Freshwater predators", "Fish-crocodile", "Giant fish of Asia", "White Sea", "Sea of Japan".

On the photo on the left, the second window of the aquarium with rays. The oceanarium is open from 10 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. We can show you how the exposition looks with and without visitors.

The exposition "Freshwater Giants" is on the left, "The White Sea" on the right.

In the circular aquarium of 14 cubic meters, visitors observe the gregarious behavior of fish. The model species of schooling fish is peled inhabiting cold-water rivers and lakes of Russia.

In the circular aquarium the peled continuously swim in circles.

Behind the circular aquarium the exposition of Black Sea fauna and fish from Russian small rivers is located. Perhaps no other oceanarium can boast such extensive collection of fish inhabiting the waters of Russia. The same expositional hall accomodates aquariums with crabs, lobsters and other aquatic organisms of similar biotopes.

Here ends the first expositional hall

The expositional aquariums "Rainforests of New Guinea” Please note that the exposition "Rainforests of New Guinea" includes two rows of small aquariums each inhabited by fighting fish, or Siamese fighting fish.

A siamese fighting fish

Kids comfortably watch the Siamese fighting fish in the bottom row and the adults – in the top one.

The exposition "Amazing Fish"

The exposition "Amazing Fish"

The exposition "Waters of Africa"

Inside the hexagonal column there are 6 aquariums with beautiful fish living for just one season in the drying up African water bodies. For example, Nothobranchius foerschi (see next photo).

Nothobranchius foerschi in the exposition "Waters of Africa"

The exposition "Waters of Africa"

The exposition "Waters of South America"

The exposition "Waters of South America"

The exposition "Waters of South America" from the opposite side

The exposition "Waters of South America" from the opposite side A giant freshwater aquarium can be viewed from two levels of the “Moskvarium”. Its most remarkable inhabitants are arapaimas, catfish and pacu.

The exposition "Flooded forest", lower level

Opposite the two large windows of the freshwater aquarium you can relax and have a snack at the cafe Amazonia. Nearby there are two bathrooms one of which is specially designed and very suitable for people in wheelchairs.

The exposition "Flooded forest", lower level

You can also drink coffee in the spacious cafe “Paluba” (“Deck”) at the second level of the "Flooded Forest" exposition. It also has large windows sometimes approached by orcas, dolphins and beluga whales.

The exposition "Flooded forest", upper level

The orcas swim close to the window of their pool to show off and look at visitors.

Orcas sometimes look at people with interest

Through the window on the opposite side you can see dolphins and a white whale.

White whale and dolphins

The exposition "Flooded Forest", upper level. There is a running waterfall on the left.

The exposition "Flooded forest", upper level

From the above the entire freshwater aquarium is plainly visible. High glass barriers prevent visitors from falling into the water.

The exposition "Flooded forest", upper level

The exposition "Deep Water"

The exposition "Deep Water"

The exposition "Wonderful Sea"

The exposition "Wonderful Sea"

The exposition includes many models of sea animals which are missing from aquariums due to obvious reasons. The most notable are the model of a young cachalot and a giant squid.

Going downstairs to the exposition "Mangroves and Coastal Shallow Waters"

"Mangroves and Coastal Shallow Waters", top view

The exposition "Mangroves and Coastal Shallow Waters"

A panoramic view of the exposition "Mangroves and Coastal Shallow Waters"

At the entrance to the exposition "Reef Hall" kids can have a rest. Here, on the tables there are always color markers to draw on the walls. Adults leave their autographs as well.

The children’s corner at the entrance to the "Reef Hall"

The "Reef Hall" resembles the interior of an underwater cave with flashing lights at the top.

The exposition "Reef Hall"

The exposition "Reef Hall"

Each aquarium of the "Reef Hall" differs from the other by its inhabitants

The exposition "Reef Hall"

The shells have a backlight with changing color, and many visitors are delighted to take pictures of each other in front of it.

The audio-interactive area "At Sea Bottom"

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

Three times a week at 2:00 p.m sharks are fed in the Main Sea Aquarium. It really is a breathtaking vision.

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

Reef aquariums

The exposition "Open sea. Main Sea Aquarium"

The tunnel of the main sea aquarium

The tunnel of the main sea aquarium

The tunnel of the main sea aquarium

The exposition "Baikal"

The Baikal seals are of no less interest than sharks

Exit from the Aquarium

A full-wall graphical waterfall is located between the entrance and the exit from the Aquarium. The falling drops of water show by turns the official greeting of the “Moskvarium” or exact Moscow time.

A graphical waterfall in the Aquarium’s lobby