User:Lavishoptimism/Nong Khai Aquarium

New article name is Nong Khai Aquarium

The Nong Khai Aquarium, located in Nong Khai City, Nong Khai Province in Thailand is the largest freshwater aquarium in the North-East of Thailand. The aquarium houses over 1000 individual catfish including the largest freshwater fish in the world - the Mekong Giant Catfish. Among the notable specimens is a 150kg Pangasianodon gigas named Happy who is part of a school of ten giant catfish found in the Giant Tank.

The Nong Khai Aquarium is a project of Khon Kaen University's Nong Khai Campus and is used as an output for educational resources by the parenting Khon Kaen University. As a result the main focus is on active participatory education on the aquatic species of Thailand. The University's primary goal for the Nong Khai Aquarium is to become a regional centre for learning specifically about the Mekong River Catchment Area.

Establishment
By resolution of the local Nong Khai government, the Nong Khai Aquarium was established on November 17th, 2003. Construction of the building began in early 2006 and was completed in 2009. The responsibility of the aquarium was then transferred from the Nong Khai Council to the Khon Kaen University on August 19th, 2009. The trial opening of Nong Khai Aquarium as conducted on the 10th October 2009.

History and admissions
Nong Khai Aquarium is now an autonomous body operating within Khon Kaen University. It has been appointed by the university and the council as one of the major aquatic learning centres of the Upper Isan Region. The Aquarium and the University focus particularly on the Mekong region, and it is the only Aquarium of its particular kind in the world. The Nong Khai Aquarium and Khon Kaen University are known as the center aquatic environmental research and hope to establish the area as a centre for aquatic ecotourism in the future.

Nong Khai Aquarium is currently in the process of upgrade and expansion, the first since its initial construction in 2006. Current plans include a large paved car park, clear signage and a garden lake area to showcase natural outdoor conditions in small streams.

Objectives
1. To display a true representation of aquatic environments, particularly of the Mekong Region. 2. To be a support centre for ecotourism and environmental information for the north-east region of Thailand. 3. To be a centre for research in water resources, fisheries ecology and speciation for the upper north-east region of Thailand.

Exhibits


Marine The Marine section, the first section of the Nong Khai Aquarium, is split into two sections - a central viewing tank mimicking shallow marine reef ecology and surrounding tanks reflecting deep marine environments. The shallow marine central viewing area houses brightly coloured and strangly shaped specimens common to coral reef areas. The fish in this area are specifically selected to mimic the ecosystems in Thailand south regions. Fish in the deep marine tanks are also chosen to showcase Thailand's fauna. Some notable specimins are the schools of spotted featherback, golden trevally and silver cod, as well as the moray eels.

Venomous Fish The Venomous Fish area is found in the Marine section. It showcases many types of poisonous fish, all of which are dangerous and contain some type of poison. Specimins vary from the beautiful lionfish, to the wierd whiskered catfish, to the camouflaged stone fish. Guides can tell about the different modes venomation and other wierd information.

Strange Sea Animals The Strange Sea Animals Section contains creatures that found in the water, but are not classed as fish. Some of the notable specimens includes the tank of many seahorses, the tank of many shrimp and the luminous freshwater stingrays that are native to Thailand's freshwater areas. This section is dedicated to inspiring the visitor by exhibiting the wide array of animals found in the Thai oceans. This area is in the second room of the aquarium and leads off the Venomous Fish display. Guides will also be able to tell you about strange fish facts.

Brackish Water

Mekong River

Beautiful Fish/Ancient Fish

Foreign Fish

Bichir/Lungfish

Scale-less Fish

Student Research Program
The Nong Khai area has a rich history linking the wildlife of the Mekong to legends

Education


As part of its objectives Nong Khai Aquarium has implemented an educational guided tour program for Schools and for the public. The programs cater for different age groups and run from one to three hours depending on what is asked for. Currently the bulk of the program is in Thai. However with the help of english speaking volunteers an english program is also being developed. The Noing Khai Aquarium provides this service free of charge as part of its "Conservation Through Education" Program. Primary Schools

High Schools

Universities

Public Education

Mekong River Education Scheme

Location and Hours
Nong Khai Aquarium is located at the Khaon Kaen University Nong Khai Campus. 112 Charoemprakiat Road, Tumbol Nong Kom Goe, Nong Khai City, Nong Khai Province, Thailand, 43000

The Aquarium is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. It is closed on Mondays, unless it is a public holiday.

Dives are conducted in the Giant Tank Tuesday – Friday: 1:45pm Saturday – Sunday : 10:00am and 1:45pm Holidays: 10:00am and 1:45pm