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From the tiniest seastar to the largest sevengill shark, fish & invertebrates are found all over the Aquarium.
The Aquarium is home to over 61,000 fish & invertebrates, spread across almost 400 different species. While we’re constantly changing and improving some of our tanks and habitats, here are some faces you can expect to see.
You can find fish & invertebrates in our indoor galleries, outdoor areas, and passages of the deep. Don’t forget to view our touch pool, wave crash tank, and underwater tunnels to see what lives within!
Here, much of the life is hidden beneath the sand or in the cracks between rocks.
Many surf zone animals bury themselves to escape the drying sun and the sharp eyes of shorebirds and marine predators. The animals of the sandy shores can also be so tiny they almost escape observation, but even the smallest still play a vital role in nature’s constant cycle of life.
One of the highlights of the Sandy Coast gallery includes a freestanding pier pilings exhibit. This tank replicates the unique habitat formed by docks and piers where anemones and mussels encrust the human-made features and Dungeness crabs scuttle along the bottom.
Nearby, a separate exhibit replicates the constant ebb and flow of the surf against a tide pool filled with anemones, sculpins and oysters. Other exhibits display the natural habitats of the delicate sea pen and the curious-looking flatfish. In all, the gallery holds thirteen separate exhibits.
The Oregon coast is famous for its rocky shores. Our uniquely beautiful coastline is visited by millions of people each year and provides habitats to countless species of animals and plants.
In order to survive in this rocky intertidal zone, plants and animals must be adapted to survive both the cold water and the hot sun. While some animals keep cool and wet in the tide pools, other trap moisture in watertight shells or crawl into the damp shade under rocks or beneath the broken leaves of bull kelp.
Here, much of the life is hidden beneath the sand or in the cracks between rocks. Many surf zone animals bury themselves to escape the drying sun and the sharp eyes of shorebirds and marine predators. The animals of the sandy shores can also be so tiny they almost escape observation, but even the smallest still play a vital role in nature’s constant cycle of life.
The centerpiece of the Rocky Coast Gallery is our touch-pool. Staffed by volunteers, this exhibit lets visitors gently interact with tide pool residents like sea stars, gumboot chitons and anemones. Other gallery highlights include a tide pool cut-away raked by waves and a wall of small tanks with a variety of rocky shore animals.
The Rocky Coast Gallery holds a total of 15 exhibits, including habitats for the fearsome-looking (but gentle) wolf eel, brightly-colored rockfish and a wide range of sea stars, limpets and other invertebrates.
After our 2024 renovations, Rocky Coast gallery is also home to our Giant Pacific Octopus tank. With a larger tank to spread all eight limbs, and a better vantage for guests to take a peak, be sure to swing by and see if you can see the master of camouflage in action.
The Connected Coasts Gallery (formerly Coastal Waters) features animals and plants that live in the far-reaching waters connected to the Pacific ocean. From live coral and seamounts, to a new mangrove forest tank and the hidden worlds just beneath the water’s surface.
Our Indo-Pacific coral reef tank is home to dozens of tropical fish, like yellow tang, birdnose wrasse, yellowband angelfish, sea goldies and many more. There are all kinds of shifting and shimmering fish waiting to catch your eye!
A group of smaller tanks offers visitors an opportunity to see animals like brittle stars, sponges, and hagfish up close and personal.
The Jelly Gallery houses four distinct sea jelly species reside in this gallery: two iconic Oregon species–moon jellies and Pacific sea nettles–and two warm-water species–blue blubbers and spotted lagoon jellies. At the center of this gallery stands a moon jelly sphere, water rippling over its surface and inviting visitors to feel the flow.
Don’t want to wait to see some of these fishy faces? Check out our shark tunnel’s live camera!
Ever wanted to shake hands with an octopus or pet a moon jelly? Enhance your next Aquarium visit with an animal encounter!
Don’t want a hands-on experience? Consider signing up for a behind-the-scenes tour, to learn all about how we care for our animals.
Part of the care for our animals is helped by you! Donations, animal adoptions, donated enrichment items, and more all help to make a huge impact in our animals’ day to day lives.
