[jaa1456]

Anyone ever go there? I will be at Mohegan Sun next tues. and Wed, is it worth stopping there? And are there any good LFS on the way back to NJ? Besides the ones in NJ and Manhattan Aquarium?

[johnny roastbeef]

You know what. Ive never been a big fan of the Mystic Aquarium, in fact I actually fell asleep there one time... but that's a story for an other day. Anyway, I came back from the casino with my son 2 weeks ago and we stopped in, and had a great time. I wouldnt make it a destination, but since its on your way home, I would definitely stop in. They have upgraded some of the displays, and while it's still pretty small, there are some great fish to see.

There is a queen trigger in one of the tanks thats at least 2 feet long. The fish is awesome, and we watched each other for at least 15 minutes. It was very entertaining. My son showed the fish a pic of a lion fish that he took on his iphone, and the fish reacted in a very funny way. He was definitely interested in looking at the phone, he would stare and slowly roll upside down and back again while he looked at the pictures.

The unfortunate thing about the aquarium is that it is pretty expensive- though you will be coming home with bags of the Mohegan's money so what do you care, right?

	Pterois Miles Pterois Miles A large Lion fish that will eat small fish and inverts. Can take some time to get to eat frozen food.

	Balistapus Vetula- Balistapus Vetula-Queen This is a very aggressive trigger, arguable the most aggressive. Its gets very larger, close to 2', and will attack just about anything in the tank. Small ones don't have all the color as the adult do. Should be kept in a large tank with large rocks as it will pick them up from time to time. Should be kept with very aggressive tank mates, like other triggers and groupers. Small ones mayn't be that aggressive but as it grows, to say 6"-8", it will become a major problem.

[albano]

Driving up 95, you can stop at House of Fins and Greenwich Aquaria... but be aware that your $ is safer at Mohegan Sun! There is also Exotic Fish and Coral in Milford.
IMO, Mystic is not worth the drive, probably better to go to Maritime Aq. in Norwalk Ct...though, not really much 'tropical' reefs.



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[THEDLO]

+1 to both

[jaa1456]

thanks

[beerfish]

Was just there last weekend. It's a small aquarium, but one of the cleaner ones I've seen. The staff is great, and stationed everywhere, so it's great for little kids with questions.

[Chiefmcfuz]

Mystic Aquarium is nice. I enjoyed it ever time I went there.

[peterg]

I'm a member of Mystic Aquarium and am biased, but I think it is one of the best in the country and I have been to about 10, including Chicago and Monterey. It is especially good for kids: hands-on, up close. They have awesome contact programs with beluga whales and penguins which you have to pay for but are totally worth it. Also, deep sea explorer Bob Ballard is based there and has a whole exhibit of his Titantic discovery and much more. Why do you say it is small? Maybe it's because a lot of exhibits at Mystic are outdoors as well and indoors and most aquariums are all indoors. Anyhow, go there! It's about 25 minutes from Mohegan, and Mystic itself is really cool.

[beerfish]

Quote: Originally Posted by peterg I'm a member of Mystic Aquarium and am biased, but I think it is one of the best in the country and I have been to about 10, including Chicago and Monterey. It is especially good for kids: hands-on, up close. They have awesome contact programs with beluga whales and penguins which you have to pay for but are totally worth it. Also, deep sea explorer Bob Ballard is based there and has a whole exhibit of his Titantic discovery and much more. Why do you say it is small? Maybe it's because a lot of exhibits at Mystic are outdoors as well and indoors and most aquariums are all indoors. Anyhow, go there! It's about 25 minutes from Mohegan, and Mystic itself is really cool.

It's small compared to a lot of aquariums I've been to but nicer than most. I don't think it compares to Monterey, though. I'd be surprised if the total water volume at Mystic added up to the million gallon shark tank in Monterey.

I really liked the fact that it was so kid friendly. Even though I don't have kids, the staff were frequent enough that there weren't many children running around banging on glass, they were asking questions and actually learning.

[peterg]

I think Mystic Aquarium's Arctic Coast beluga whale tanks are about 700,000 gallons.