The aquarium uses approximately 2 million liters of water to replicate diverse aquatic habitats.
The facility is designed as a circular journey representing the hydrologic cycle from glacier to ocean.
It houses one of the few captive breeding populations of Komodo dragons in Switzerland.
The building's exterior is clad in over 100,000 aluminum discs that mimic the scales of a fish.
Water filtration systems are optimized to maintain specific chemical balances for endemic species from the Rhône and Amazon rivers.
The exhibit includes a dedicated space for the conservation of the endangered sturgeon.
AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium is the largest freshwater aquarium-vivarium in Europe, focusing on the ecosystems of the world's major rivers and lakes. The facility spans two levels, featuring 46 aquaria, terraria, and vivaria that house over 10,000 fish and 100 reptiles and amphibians. The exhibits follow a chronological and geographical journey starting from the Swiss Alps and moving across five continents. Visitors encounter iconic species including Nile crocodiles, Komodo dragons, and giant catfish. The architecture incorporates a distinctive disc-shaped facade designed by Richter Dahl Rocha & Associés. The site serves as both an educational center and a conservation hub, emphasizing the critical importance of freshwater biodiversity. It is integrated into the AQUATIS complex, which also includes a hotel and a business center.
The large panoramic window of the main river tank, which offers a full-scale view of the largest freshwater fish species.
Download the official AQUATIS app before arriving for an interactive digital guide to the exhibits.
Allocate time to explore the upper floor 'terrestrial' section thoroughly, as it is often quieter than the primary aquarium tanks.
Check the website for daily feeding schedule announcements, which occur at specific times for the crocodiles and reptiles.
Rushing through the first level; the facility is designed as a continuous narrative, and skipping sections makes the later 'ocean' context harder to appreciate.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited near the animal enclosures to prevent stressing the wildlife.
