The Key West Aquarium has been a landmark in the Conch Republic. As the island’s first attraction, the aquarium building was constructed between 1932 and 1934. Since opening in 1935, it has been the first open-air aquarium in the United States. Today, the Key West Aquarium is home to over 250 specimens of fish (2022), sharks and four of the five species of sea turtles that inhabit the waters of the Florida Keys. With its iconic location in the heart of Mallory Square, the aquarium invites visitors of all ages to witness its aquatic treasures and experience the beauty of marine life in the Florida Keys.