the project was managed by kreimer engineering and was funded by the private sector in partnership with the city of rio. containing 42 tanks, a tunnel separates the main tank, with the ocean enclosure on one side containing diverse marine species and the diving enclosure on the other, where visitors can enjoy swimming and diving close to the fish.

the aquarium works in conjunction with rio's university's centres of research in alternative energy use, such as solar and wind power, and in marine biology, and plays an important role in maintaining marine biodiversity.