Have you ever visited Chattanooga? It is the fourth largest city in Tennessee, and we think it's just about perfect -- big enough to have just about everything you want, but small enough to never feel too overwhelming. You can enjoy amazing views of Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River, as well as the beautiful city skyline. Chattanooga truly is a great place to explore and we wanted to give you another reason to visit. The Tennessee Aquarium houses the biggest freshwater tank in the United States. As incredible and impressive as that is, the creatures waiting for you inside are the real star of the show.
Sitting right next to the river, the Tennessee Aquarium is hard to miss.
This towering building features unique and impressive architecture inviting visitors to take a closer look. The splendor on the outside certainly is eye-catching but inside you will find the hidden world that waits for us under the surface of the water. Mysterious life that lurks in murky waters or unique animals that you may have never heard of will excite guests and fill them with wonder.
With 400,000 gallons the fresh water tank will have plenty of space for a plethora of aquatic life.
There will be several fish you can easily recognize like the beloved Tennessee classic, the catfish. Did you know there are several species of catfish? You can learn about the different ones when you visit this incredible tank. Other freshwater and saltwater fish like the mighty sturgeon, flashlight fish, and piranhas are sure to be fun to see.
The museum is themed after the water cycle so guests will see the full story of a single raindrop in the Appalachian Mountains all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.
Along the way, you will see a variety of animals that require water for survival, perhaps many of these creatures you may have never heard of before. The Aquatic Caecilian is one of the many unique animals on display. Often mistaken as an eel this slimy amphibian needs air to breathe, so will slither gracefully in the water but often return to the surface to breathe.
Some sections of the aquarium feature critters that you will be familiar with but most likely won't find in the wild, or at least you wouldn't want to.
The Poison Dart Frog is the perfect example of one such creature. These frogs are considered one of the most poisonous animals in the world so seeing them behind glass can be a great way to observe them. The brilliant blue colors and patterns make this one beautiful frog to see.
When you get to the sea life section there are some of the most unique animals you wouldn’t get to see unless you are a deep sea diver.
The mighty Giant Pacific Octopus is a fascinating creature with many ticks we have learned over the years. Their soft bodies allow them to squish into small spaces and they create dens to lay eggs. They also have the ability to camouflage and change the color of their skin. How amazing is that! Plus just look at all those suckers, what a crazy part of our ocean…
Not only can you see the animals that fully submerge themselves in our oceans and lakes but you can also see animals that don’t live in the water but use it quite effectively.
The most loved of these, of course, are penguins. Every day is a black tie gala for these tuxedo-clad creatures. Watch as they delight guests by flapping, waddling, and diving in their habitats. If you are anything like us, you can sit and watch these beautiful birds for hours.
These animals are only a sampling of what you will find at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What is your favorite aquatic animal? Let us know in the comments below. Make sure this impressive aquarium is on your list next time you find yourself in our lovely southern city. For more information please visit the Tennessee Aquarium website.
A unique tour through Chattanooga is the WWII amphibian boats known as the Chattanooga Ducks, make sure you check out that too.
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