Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium was built in the 1930's as a way for the first time to attract tourists and help offset the effects of the Great Depression on the city. It was the city's first specific such attraction. Ironically it was completed just before the great 1935 Hurricane which wiped out much of the Upper Keys and the Overseas Railroad, issolating Key West again for several years until the Overseas Highway was completed utilizing the old railroaad bridges. By the way if you look at the old bridges you will notice the guard rails are made of the old railroad tracks.
Originally just viewing tanks in an open court yard behind the facade that contains small offices, a roof was later added and over the years many other improvements and expansions have been made.

Click on any of the images to enlarge.
I lost my notes, but pictured are various corals, other sea animals (not plants) and fish, of the Florida Keys. Some that I do remember are:
Row three shows the interior from each end of the building. Some Shark jaws from various types. Last is a Nurse Shark that in one of those central floor tanks. While relatively docile, no hands in the tank is posted.
In row four one of the resucued sea turtles at the aquarium. Hard to see but its rear flippers are badly injured. Two Atlantic Manta Rays also in on of those floor tanks. Also a replica of one.
In row five a meaner Bull Shark in an outdoor tank (with high railings) The last two are Blue Tangs. If you ever encounter a school of them at the reef and they are between you and the sun their blue fringe looks like intense deep blue neon... very spectacular.
When you come to Key West, visit the aquarium before going out snorkeling so you will know what you are looking at when you do. If you would like more info on the Aquarium, as well as some live web cams, click this KeyWestAquarium.com