Aquariums are said to deliver benefits of health and wellbeing to those who visit them. It is claimed that people who spend time watching aquariums and fish tanks can see improvements in their physical and mental wellbeing. Last November a aquarium centre has been opened in the Mongolian capital.

There are 40 species of animals and over 160 species of marine life at the Ulaanbaatar Aquarium. The aquarium centre displays sharks from the Pacific and Indian oceans as well as clownfish – well known among children from Pixar Animation’s ‘Finding Nemo’. Furthermore, razor-toothed, flesh eating piranhas, two species of frogs, four-species of giant lizards and orange-coloured crabs are to be found in the  six halls of the 100 square metre aquarium centre.

Since opening on 29 November, 2017, the aquarium centre has being busy. The number of visitors has doubled since the schools closed for a month due to the cold weather. The aquarium is currently entertaining 100-200 visitors daily. Entry is free for children under age 3 and MNT 5000 for children age between 3 and 16; for adults the cost is MNT 10,000.