Penang Aquarium
Batu Maung, Penang

The Penang Aquarium is now closed until further notice.

The Penang Aquarium is one of the tourist attractions in the fishing village of Batu Maung. Officially the Fisheries Department Research Institute Aquarium, this medium-size aquarium is located within the Fisheries Research Institute complex in Batu Maung, on the southeast tip of Penang Island.

The aquarium has 25 tanks to showcase various types of marine life, especially those found in the regional waters. Among them are the lion fish, the boxfishes, moray eels, tangs, surgeon fish, cat sharks, stone fish, angel fish, blue spotted stingray, fox face fish, parrot fish, squirrel fish, damsels, bivalves and more. The largest tank measures 15 ft by 10 ft and houses the big fishes such as the snappers, the tudung periuk and the nyior nyior.

The Penang Aquarium in Batu Maung, Penang.

Admission fees:
RM5 for adults, RM2 for kids 7 to 12 years and RM1.50 for school groups. There is no charge for kids below 7 years.
Phone: +60-4-626 3925 and Fax: +60-4-626 2210.

The Penang Aquarium has been closed since the beginning of 2010 for repair works. There is no sign when it will reopen - typical of many attractions in the country, particularly those government-related. I am informed that the aquarium will reopen on 16 June, 2011. It is closed every Wednesday.

Updates on the Penang Aquarium

28 July 2011: The Araipama Gigas, a giant of a fish, died when it was transferred to a new aquarium. There is now a saltwater pond for four playful turtles - though they can bite. A wild otter had intruded on the pond and feasted on the Japanese carps. The staff is trying their best to keep the aquarium running by adding new fish.

Visiting Penang

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