Aquarium habitats
Aquariums measure deep water instead of land, add filtration and salinity, and need airlocks so staff can work inside.
37 species accept an aquarium habitat in the current Zoopedia. The values that decide whether the build works are deep water area, salinity and temperature — all three are printed on the species page.
What replaces what
| Terrestrial habit | Aquarium equivalent |
|---|---|
| Land area | Deep water area |
| Shelter area | Still applies for some species |
| Barrier plus terrain paint | Glass or wall barrier, plus substrate terrain mix |
| Temperature range | Temperature range, plus salinity |
Worked example: Blacktip Reef Shark
| Field | Zoopedia value |
|---|---|
| Enclosure type | Aquarium habitat |
| Deep water area | 210 m² |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C |
| Salinity | Saltwater |
| Barrier | Grade 2, minimum height 1 m |
| Compatible species | 12 neutral species, no thriving partner listed |
A record with 12 neutral companions makes a workable centrepiece for a reef hall rather than a solo tank. The species page lists every companion by name.
The aquarium checklist
- Check the species' salinity value — freshwater, brackish, saltwater or any.
- Build to the deep water area, not the visual footprint; filtration sits on top of that area.
- Set the temperature band before adding animals; it is checked continuously.
- Add staff airlocks so keepers and vets can reach the habitat.
- Watch the substrate mix: fine sand and rock percentages are part of the record.
Where aquariums pay off
Aquariums hold species that no other enclosure type can, and many carry a high conservation status. That matters for reserve work and for biodiversity stars.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
Do aquariums need filtration?
Yes. Filtration and water quality separate an aquarium habitat from a terrestrial one; the species page lists the water values the habitat is checked against.
What is deep water area?
The measured water surface the habitat requires, published per species in the Zoopedia.
Can freshwater and saltwater species share a tank?
Only where the salinity values are compatible. Some species accept brackish conditions, others do not.
Why do staff need airlocks?
Keepers and vets have to enter the habitat to work. Airlocks are the aquarium equivalent of a staff gate.