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Aquarium

Unique among aquariums in Western NC, Catawba Science Center offers fresh and saltwater aquarium galleries for visitors to explore. The saltwater gallery features a variety of saltwater fish, including porcupine puffer fish, garden eels and seahorses — and of course our 8,000 gallon shark and stingray  habitat!

Catawba Science Center’s freshwater gallery features a wide collection of aquatic life from around the globe including amazonian river turtles, freshwater stingrays, and our 6,000 gallon oxbow habitat containing a variety of freshwater fish species.

The Catawba Science Center is honored to be named one of the 150 Best Aquariums to visit in the United States by EverythingFishkeeping.com!

Click below to download and play the Spot the Sea Life Game!

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Saltwater Gallery

Sharks & Stingrays!

See different species of LIVE sharks and stingrays in this marine habitat.

 

Wall of Life!

The Saltwater Wall of Life features a variety of marine habitats that our puffer fish, seahorses, and garden eels call home. Our LIVE Coral Reef focuses on coral conservation and contains several species of coral as well as reef-dwelling animals such as yellow tang and emerald crabs.

Freshwater Gallery

Amazon Basin

Come see our remarkable freshwater fish, frogs, snakes, and amazonian river turtles in the Amazon Basin. Look closely and you may also find our freshwater stingrays!

 

 

Amazon Oxbow!

Get an underwater view of a variety of fish found in an Amazon Oxbow lake – including catfish and exceptionally large red-bellied pacu. Learn about oxbows, or crescent-shaped lakes in lowland Amazonia that form when a river changes course.

 

Wall of Life!

Visit the Freshwater Wall of Life to meet our three-foot electric eel and learn why he isn’t actually an eel at all! Biotope aquariums display species native to various habitats in South America – whitewater and blackwater streams, as well as an up-close look at predators, camouflage, and various fish species.

Reptiles & More!

We have more than just our aquatic friends in the Aquarium building. Visit our Land to Sea exhibit to say “Hi” to our 3 large Tortoises, Iguana, and American Alligator. You may find that our many invertebrates are on display here as well in our Herpetarium.

 
 
 
You can Donate or Adopt an Animal to help support our stingrays, sharks, and other aquatic creatures! Each donation, no matter the amount, helps keep our animals healthy & happy!

Donate Today!

Questions? Contact the Animal Care Office at animalcare@catawbascience.org  or 828.322.8169 x. 312

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

shark




NC Science Fest SEMC ASTC
Catawba Science Center
243 Third Avenue NE
PO Box 2431
Hickory, NC 28603
Phone: (828) 322 8169
Fax: (828) 322 1585
©2019 Catawba Science Center
Site design by: SEMC
Catawba Science Center, located in Hickory, provides fun for all ages, and is within a short drive from Morganton, Statesville, Lenoir, Lincolnton, and Western NC.