It has been almost 2 years since we reopened the aquarium at Zoo Negara to public. Akuarium Tunku Abdul Rahman is one of the oldest public aquarium in Malaysia. Originally from Gelugor, Penang, the aquarium is one of the main attractions at Zoo Negara. When I first joined in, the aquarium was supposed to undergo a major renovation. However during the first year I was there, rumors of moving the zoo coupled with a serious constraint in finances had brought all the plans to a sudden halt. In addition to this the main life support system (…. a really prehistoric system!) came crashing down and we had no other choice but to close the aquarium to public.  Smaller aquariums were then erected around the zoo to compensate the lack of the aquatic displays.

A view of the aquarium building in 1972..wow, that’s really old. It used to be a separate entity from the zoo

The 2nd Prime Minister, Tun Razak officiating the aquarium

After almost 3 years the zoo management decided that we had to reopen the aquarium despite our extremely tight budget. The zoo is a non-profitable NGO with very little financial support (..in fact almost none) from the government.

During those years, the aquarium committee had decided to go ahead with a Malesian concept for the new aquarium, something which they had deliberated for several years but couldn’t carry out because no one suitable was found to carry out the vision. It would cover South East Asia (SEA) with Malaysia as the focus.

Well now we have almost completed the aquarium (…actually I dont think it would ever be 100% complete especially since there’s soooo…many more fish and plants to find)  and in March 2009, it would be officially launched.

I owe a lot to God for giving me a job which is not actually a job…more like a paid hobby!..and giving me a fantastic bunch of guys to work with, without whom, this aquarium would never be what it is now.

The aquarium itself is rather old…almost as old as I am actually! All we could do is just add in new life support systems, repaint and carry out basic M&E work as well as a bit of make-up work at certain areas. We couldn’t afford changing the glass panels or enlarging the former tanks, so we were still stuck with the old ‘Windows 1972′ version……

En. Wahid , the Supervisor checking out the work carried out at the upper stream zone tanks

Lower river zone

A worker cleaning the wall for painting (upper stream zone)

Artisans carrying out rock making work at the entrance of the aquarium. This is supposed to depict the upper mountainous beginnings of the river

The completed front entrance. (…..more plants are on the way!)

Front view of the entrance

The new aquarium is a wetland based aquarium with wetland conservation as the main theme. It is more of an environmental education and conservation based aquarium rather than a show-aquarium like most other large public aquariums. In addition to that, I think we are the only ones in the country to actually do a complete Malaysian (..and SEA) freshwater themed aquarium that passes through all the major zones along a river system. “The Malaysia River Journey” that’s the title of the whole aquarium by which we hope to instill and educate visitors (especially Malaysians) on the importance of caring and conserving our natural wetlands.

Upper stream Zone

Upper stream Zone (Can you recognize the original photos before completion?)

Upper stream heading towards the Dam habitat

Beginning of the Lower River Zone

Mid Lower River Zone

Peat swamp Zone

Paintings of various crypts can be found throughout the aquarium. Here is C.longicauda at the Peat swamp Zone

After the Mangrove Zone, is the Rocky Shore and Coral Reef Zone

Another view of the Rocky Shore and Coral Reef Zone

The aquarium goes through several zones along the rivers course displaying various Malaysian (..and SEA) aquatic flora and fauna. Starting with the upper streams, in then goes to midriver, freshwater wetlands (natural and man-made), down to the lower river zone, passing the peatswamps and mangroves and then ending at the rocky shore and coral.

There are loads of various fish groups and yes….CRYPTOCORYNE (as well as other aquatic plants) on display. Fish groups include various  Bettas, Rasboras, Barbs, Catfishes, Snakeheads etc, etc, etc,…(the list goes on..). Well hope you’ll pay us a visit and lend us your support and advice, well it is a People’s Aquarium anyway!

Below are pictures of painting work at the Wetland Zone

Next,  I would be posting pictures of the various aquatic fauna and flora found at the aquarium….

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