An aquatic adventure at the Austin Aqua-Dome
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Dozens of tanks line the walls inside the Austin Aqua-Dome. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios
We recently wandered into the Austin Aqua-Dome, the big blue dome off 290 — beside Uncommon Objects.
Why it matters: It's a fun option for the family, fish lovers and anyone looking for a break from the heat.
Austin trivia: The dome was built in 1986 and housed the Austin Aqua-Dome beginning in 1997.
- The store has 200 aquariums and holds an impressive amount of saltwater fish and corals, with fish coming "straight from the Philippines, Bali, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Visayas," per their website.
- Customers can also find options for their outdoor ponds like water features, koi, goldfish and plants.
Zoom in: We loved seeing the dome from the inside, where you can check out two levels of fish in glowing aquariums.
- There's shrimp smaller than a pinky nail, starfish, transparent fish, fish with weird heads, clownfish, the Dory fish, fish that looked like tiny sharks, betta fish, angry fish and a fish that looked like a Dalmatian.
- At this point we're not sure "fish" is even a real word.
Owner Gary Coffman told the Austin American-Statesman last year that many customers are regulars: "We do have customers that come several times a week … that we know them by first name, and they know us by first name."
📍 If you go: Find them at 1604 Fort View Road from 11am-7pm Tuesday through Saturday and 12-5pm Sunday.