Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Fish Tanks at the St. George Ferry Terminal
There's something fishy happening at the St. George Ferry Terminal...
The Ferry Terminal in St. George is home to two peaceful and elegant saltwater fish tanks that opened in 2008. Each massive tank is home to 200 tropical fish and helps to welcome tourists and commuters to Staten Island.
The colorful fish swim behind a three inch thick acrylic glass, which is both shatter-proof and tamper resistant. The tanks are fourteen feet long, five feet wide, and over eight feet tall. They each hold 2,244 gallons of water and weigh more than ten tons!
A separate facility, located one floor below the tanks, is dedicated to their upkeep and the health of the fish. An advanced filtration system, including bio-reactors, ultra-violet sterilizers and more than 14 water pumps helps to maintain the quality of the water. The whole system, including feeding, is regulated by a computerized control system.
Watch a short video about how the tanks are maintained.
The tanks were designed and constructed by ATM (Acrylic Tank Manufacturing). The tanks are sponsored by the Richmond County Savings Foundation and maintained by the Staten Island Zoo.
Borough President James P. Molinaro was inspired by the soothing presence of fish tanks in the Sarasota, Florida airport. The tanks in St. George provide a similarly tranquil scene in the Ferry Terminal.
Meet the Fish! There are over 200 exotic fish in each tank. Here is a glimpse at just a few of Staten Island's newest residents!
Photo by Mike Falco, Andy Levison