The aquarium's water temperature is adjusted seasonally to mirror the natural conditions fish would experience in the wild.
The tanks are arranged in a specific sequence representing the flow of water from Finnish spring sources down to the Baltic Sea.
Maretarium works closely with the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute to monitor fish behavior and health.
The building architecture was specifically designed to blend into the surrounding rocky coastal landscape of Kotka.
Unlike traditional tropical aquariums, Maretarium contains no coral or tropical marine species, focusing solely on indigenous Finnish wildlife.
Maretarium is a public aquarium in Kotka, Finland, exclusively dedicated to showcasing native Finnish fish species. The facility houses over 50 different species across 22 themed tanks that mimic the natural environments of Finnish lakes, rivers, and the Baltic Sea. The largest tank, the 'Baltic Sea pool,' features a curved glass wall and holds 500,000 liters of water. All water used in the tanks is pumped from the Gulf of Finland, filtered, and regulated for temperature to replicate seasonal changes. The aquarium operates as both a visitor attraction and a research facility focusing on Baltic environmental education. It is located within the Sapokka Water Garden district. Visitors can view the life cycles of salmon and trout in tanks designed to simulate upstream migration. The facility emphasizes the biodiversity of brackish water and freshwater ecosystems unique to the Nordic region.
The main Baltic Sea pool glass window, which offers a panoramic view of the largest tank with natural-looking rocky formations.
Visit during the scheduled feeding times to see the fish move toward the surface and interact with their environment.
Spend time observing the 'Baltic Sea pool' from the lower levels to get a perspective of the deep-water habitat.
Walk through the adjacent Sapokka Water Garden after your visit to see the natural outdoor streams that inspired the aquarium's design.
Avoid rushing through the exhibits, as the behavior of native species is often subtle compared to high-energy tropical fish.
Open daily throughout the year, but may have limited operations on certain public holidays.
