A Visit to Austin's Unique Aquarium

If you take the narrow street on North Lamar through unconventional shops like End of an Ear and Uncommon Objects, you will eventually reach a dome shaped building, similar to Patrick's home in SpongeBob. 

This blue mound is the Austin Aqua-dome, Central Texas’ largest selection of marine fish and corals. The dome was built in 1987 and turned into the Aqua-Dome ten years later. The aquarium sells a variety of marine related products, from eels, starfish and small sharks to lilies, coral and decor. The animals are imported from places across the world like the Phillipines, Bali, Sri Lanka and Jakarta. 

My first visit to the aquarium was different than I expected. Outside the place, a small cat with a chunky collar meowed at me. When I walked inside, two people greeted me from behind the front desk, one of whom wore a colorful shirt with the name ‘GARY’ on it. I learned Gary is the owner of Aqua-Dome and was leaving his shift early on Wednesday to catch his bowling league game, hence the quirky shirt.

Gary, a UT Austin Alum, received his degree in zoology. He first applied at a local pet store in Austin and ever since then stayed in the field of animal care.

“My whole plan in my life was to become a zoologist,” he said. “I had no idea what I was going to do with it when I wanted it, but that's all I've ever wanted to do.”

The staff was welcoming and I was even able to interact with many of the animals. My favorite were the eels who had big, distinct personalities. Two, in particular, snuggled up against each other. In reaction to an outstretched hand, one would shrink back and even hide under the nearest stone, and the other would tilt its head up curiously.

Stingrays swam against the tank wall as if asking for attention. In the same enclosure, colorful starfish complemented beautiful corals. Moreover, the salty smell in the air made me feel transported away to a place much farther than Austin. 

Although I do not have the time and money to maintain a marine animal, the few times I’ve visited Aqua-Dome have left a mark on me. Local businesses like this aquarium are vital to Austin's community, boosting the local economy and fostering identity within the city. They need to be supported to continue to thrive as a city staple. 

Small business like Aqua-Dome 

After all, according to Gary, “Just the uniqueness [of Aqua-Dome] blends itself to Austin being weird.”