Those that have been to Shedd Aq, what did you think?

[pdbrady]

We went this weekend, and I have to say, it didn't live up to the hype for me. I've been to the Oklahoma and Denver (x2) aquariums as well, and didn't think Shedd was any better. Yes it's bigger, but only in square footage. It seemed like there were actually less tanks than others. Now that's excluding the massive dolphin tank, which obviously accounts for a few gallons. And then most of their tanks were just repetition of the tank before, with the same fish. Half of the tanks were mislabeled. The fish that were suppose to be in them weren't, or the fish that were in them didn't match the labels. There would be a 200-300 gallon tank with only 3 killies in it (which again didn't even match the listed killies that were suppose to be in it), then there was a frontosa tank that was about 2 weeks growth from being far overcrowded. Their shark tank was weak......weak. We have a better one here at Bass Pro Wonders of Wildlife. And then there was the 15,000 people pushing you away from every tank so they could get in there to show their friends the pirahna (pacu for those of us who have a clue......2' ones at that )

All the complaints aside, they had some fish that were pretty cool. A huge mbu puffer, a tank with huge o. niger, tigrinus, pacu, and the biggest silver aro I've ever seen (HUGE, with bad drop eye, though). They had a gorgeous h. spitticus (which is another complaint, hardly any cichlids), and a few monster oscars in with the real pirahna (not pacu as above). Fire eel tank with some of the biggest fires imaginable. And one of my favorites was the lung tank. Had 5 or 6 lungs and a jardini. The dolphin tank was amazing, huge! Those 4 dolphins were having the time of their life. (If you haven't been and do go, watch the dolphin show for sure)

Anyway, how do those of you rate it, especially those who have been to others in comparison?

 

[Knowdafish]

I love the Shedd! Besides the fish, it has alot of cool architectural detail too! Did you get a chance to go on a behind the scenes tour?

 

[Zoodiver]

Shark tank was weak?

Browns, black tips, zebras, guitarfish!? Great lighting, awesome viewing window!? I thought that the shark display (and entire lower "Reef" level) was top notch and the crown jewel in the collection. I was really impressed by the coral tanks they had.

 

[flamenco-t]

I have been to the following Aquariums,

Georgia
Dallas World
Baltimore
Shedd
Mandalay Bay Vegas
All Sea World
Houston

I'd have to say that Shedd is the best out of all. Georgia didn't live up to my expectation, other than the whale sharks.

For sharks, you need to go to baltimore aquarium. Almost all species of sharks you can think of. But as far as display, shedd and georgia hands down..

stan

 

[flamenco-t]

Also noted..

I have done the behind the scenes tour and the trainer for the day at Shedd..

YOU HAVE TO DO IT....

 

[smijeha]

i love the shedd...........although im missing their huge alligator snapper they had. although he was in a way to small enclosure but cool to see none the less. did you check out the amazon display? very neat also. do they still have the komodo dragons? i wanted to see them too but havent gotten the chance. the other aquarium i have seen was the monteray bay aquarium in cali. i was kind of disappointed in it. just didnt have the amount of fish that the shedd has. beautiful place and set ups though.

 

[ceeej31]

i have been to
shedd
atlantis resort
new england aquarium
baltimore aquarium
national aquarium (dc)
new york aquarium
woods hole oceonographic institute
national zoo
and several others
and shedd was my favorite, the animals were all very happy and healthy and the exhibits were very wel desinged imo

 

[nativelover]

ive been to sea world... monterey and my house... thats it.

 

[pdbrady]

Shark tank was weak?

Browns, black tips, zebras, guitarfish!? Great lighting, awesome viewing window!? I thought that the shark display (and entire lower "Reef" level) was top notch and the crown jewel in the collection. I was really impressed by the coral tanks they had.

The reef was nice. I loved the guitarfish, but the lighting to me was terrible. It seemed you could only see them if they were at the glass. The window is ok. Maybe I was spoiled by the others I have been to. I mean, Oklahoma's shark tank was a huge walk through tunnel with a room in the middle.

Also noted..

I have done the behind the scenes tour and the trainer for the day at Shedd..

YOU HAVE TO DO IT....

We didn't get to do either. Sucks. I know that would have made my trip a lot better.

i love the shedd...........although im missing their huge alligator snapper they had. although he was in a way to small enclosure but cool to see none the less. did you check out the amazon display? very neat also. do they still have the komodo dragons? i wanted to see them too but havent gotten the chance. the other aquarium i have seen was the monteray bay aquarium in cali. i was kind of disappointed in it. just didnt have the amount of fish that the shedd has. beautiful place and set ups though.

They had one dragon. It's funny you say you were dissapointed in MB because it didn't seem to have the amount of fish. That's the same reason I didn't like Shedd in comparison to the others I've been to. We seriously looked at tanks while walking by because they were ghost tanks. The labels by the tank show fish that should have been obvious to see out in the open.

I guess I'm just upset because the great Shedd Aquarium didn't live up. Don't get me wrong, it was nice, I was just let down. It just didn't seem like the biggest aquarium in the US.

 

[smijeha]

maybe some of the fish just had the day off....... thats why you didnt see them lol

ive also been to the atlantis resort in the bahamas. was pretty cool.......