Attendees to the VI Iberian Congress of Ichthyology will have free access to the Aquarium of the University of Murcia within the usual opening times (Mornings: 10: 00-14: 00 and Afternoons: 17: 00-21: 00) by showing their congress accreditation.

The Aquarium of the University of Murcia (Aquarium) is located in one of the pavilions of the ancient Cuartel de Artillería in Murcia City and it aims to facilitate the general public’s approach to marine biodiversity by providing visitors with a big amount of teaching aids which serve as useful sources of learning.

The Aquarium has got two floors where you can enjoy a tour around Tropical and Mediterranean marine ecosystems. In the Tropical aquariums, typical ecosystems from the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea are shown in detail. Here you can watch reef sharks, angelfish, stingrays, moray eels and corals. In the Mediterranean area you can know from up close one part of our nearest marine environment, represented by shallow environments with sea anemones, salps, Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, true soles, etc., and deeper environments with ground sharks, dogfish and even the different larval development phases of these sharks.

The installation of a public aquarium promoted by the University of Murcia means the approach of the highest teaching and research institution in the Region of Murcia to the general public, showing certain facets of the research developed by the Aquarium’s biologist team.

In other countries, the concept of public aquarium directly related to the University already exists, but in Spain, the Aquarium of the University of Murcia is the first example of this relationship, and is a remarkable complement of cultural and leisure opportunities in the Region of Murcia.