PRIVATE TOUR Inside OLDEST PUBLIC AQUARIUM in the United States! (Belle Isle Aquarium)

This video is a private tour of Belle Isle Aquarium. The Belle Isle Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan. It opened on August of 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in North America when it closed on April 3, 2005. The aquarium reopened to the public on August 18, 2012, and is now run entirely by Belle Isle Conservancy. The 10,000-square-foot historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling. It was an awesome public aquarium to see and tour!
Below is the link to the Belle Isle website, where you can donate!
www.belleisleconservancy.org/
If you're interested in any of the products we use in our aquariums, feel free to check out the affiliate links below.
Equipment
- Sicce Syncra SDC - amzn.to/35yJ0MD
- Sicce XStream SDC - amzn.to/3fRZWk1
- Seachem Tidal 110: amzn.to/3yRUHdq
- Sicce Ultra Zero Pump: amzn.to/3PO5ko4
- Python Water Changer: amzn.to/3a17dbb
Chemicals
- Easy Green Fertilizer - geni.us/NAl6lK
- Seachem Purigen - geni.us/d9EFZ
- Seachem Prime: geni.us/iys7T
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme Nice Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[@mickeysr5817]

Welcome too Detroit

[@CichlidBros]

👊🏻👊🏻

[@sandraboyd913]

LOVE THIS.I GREW UP IN DETROIT AND MY MOTHER WOULD TAKE US ON 3 BUSES TO GET TO BELLE ISLE.THE AQUARIUM WAS THE BEST PART.THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

[@CichlidBros]

That’s great!

[@Neidzwiedz1]

Having lived in the area for almost 30 years the Belle Isle Aquarium is one of my favorite places to visit in the city. Not only are the animals great to see but the architecture is amazing as well.

[@CichlidBros]

That’s awesome. I enjoyed it!

[@BillsCatch22]

Welcome to Detroit! That place operates with well more than 3 people, I was surprised to hear that. Many volunteers devote there time to the aquarium. Did they take you into the basement? Just some holding tanks and equipment there now, but back during prohibition, it served as a speak easy. The Belle Isle Aquarium is an amazing piece of history, it was fun watching you showcase it.

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching! Sounds like the volunteers and interns come and go, but permanently only the 3 of them. There was more in the basement that is under construction so I didn’t show the footage. It was awesome to see

[@karareinbolt5800]

I was hoping to hear how it was shut down during Detroit’s bankruptcy and how a group of volunteers worked so hard to get it opened again! It has come along way and looks great, but that first volunteer group was amazing. It would have been so easy for it to be shuttered for good and lost.

[@mellie4174]

Try to listen to the video. They have 3 permanent employees on the animal care team. They specifically said they have interns and volunteers that come and go. Try to pay attention

[@BillsCatch22]

@@mellie4174 try to stay in your own lane. I know the “three” and several volunteers that have been there longer than the “three” and they deserve more than a footnote. The aquarium may be the oldest, but it isn’t the longest running. It was a condemned building for years and only reopened because of the efforts of some lowly volunteers.

[@Laura-ed5kf]

@@karareinbolt5800 we’d go there almost weekly before the State took over, there and the Conservatory. AMAZING how great that place looked w/ JUST volunteers even!!! I was a professional horticulturalist at the time and a hobby-fish/reptile keeper so I knew how many hours those people were putting in to the up-keep of those two buildings! But NOW, it’s amazing over there!

[@chrisllang8055]

Thanks Bunches that was a fantastic tour and a must see next time I am up there.

[@BonesRUS87]

Thanks for visiting

[@CichlidBros]

Enjoyed it!

[@LiesaPinkBunny]

I've never wanted to Hug a octopus so bad before my life. So cute 💕

[@CichlidBros]

Haha same! That guy was awesome

[@snoopdogg734]

This is awesome...I grew up in Detroit, ten minutes from Belle isle....my family woul spend our weekends ther...thank you for sharing !

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome! Glad I could check it out and make a vid!

[@undergroundaquatics]

Welcome to Michigan belle isle aquarium is a pretty cool place to stop by🤘🏼

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, and agreed!

[@undergroundaquatics]

@Cichlid Bros you should check out Preuss in Lansing the place is pretty big with alot of fish,reptiles,birds and more

[@osmanalmanza9025]

Excellent video. I have lived here my entire 63 years and I have visited the aquarium many times. But your video showed me things I had never seen before. Thanks. Well done.

[@CichlidBros]

Glad I could show some behind the scenes info! I enjoyed my time in Detroit 👍🏻

[@dennisfeldmann7399]

Thanks for sharing this video. My Father worked in the Aquarium until his passing in 1971. Was sick many years don't remember when his last year working was .lots of great memories of growing up there.

[@scottallan1595]

So great to see a place so old be so clean, and with only three people doing everything is crazy to think about. Kudos to them, every tank looks amazingly clean and beautiful.

[@CichlidBros]

So true!

[@razinfishes1918]

Quite a place. Looks well maintained and the fish are awesome

[@Tan-lc7ti]

Awesome stuff!!!

[@vjleblanc16]

That was very fantastic very awesome videos so far

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@vjleblanc16]

@@CichlidBros You are very welcome

[@retro6294]

I was told that this aquarium was torn down! When my grandparents still lived in Detroit, we would go visit this place every time my parents and I came for a visit. I loved going to this place! That was over 25 years ago. I'm glad that it is still around!

[@stevenhunt3702]

What a fantastic place , that ceiling is beautiful Art Deco

[@tjautocross]

Looks like a great place. Thanks for sharing, Troy!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@rosetillman5511]

Truly excited to see my hometown being appreciated for some of the cultural gems that we have here in the city. Thanks for upload

[@CichlidBros]

Of course, thanks for watching!

[@olliefoxx7165]

The exhibits look fantastic! The aquarium grounds looked very clean and the building is pleasant and well designed. The 3 people working there clearly take pride in their jobs and work hard to keep a nice facility. I'll be visiting if I'm ever in the area.

[@donniehoneycutt164]

Absolutely love the Belle isle Aquarium!! I’ve been going since I was a kid, and now I take my 3 kids! Thank you for bringing attention to the aquarium and how awesome it is!! I personally didn’t know only 3 people run the whole thing. They really could use donations so hopefully the right folks see this and help out!!

[@jasonsickler1444]

You should do a video of Ohio Fish Rescue.

[@CichlidBros]

Would definitely like to at some point 👍🏻

[@adrienneconley7418]

cool place! great video showcasing it.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@higherlearning1013]

Loved that place as a kid (much more dangerous back then) and love it more now

[@Deuce_Luminox.]

I've been there many times. The jade tile interior is amazing.

[@evansmoak7182]

Lived in Metro Detroit for 51 years and went to Belle Isle Aquarium for the first time last summer. I loved it. I've kept many of the freshwater fish they have, so that was cool. The scapes were very nice. I love how the worker explained the filters as if you've never kept fish 🤭

[@seannedegraff3175]

I really like this aquarium that this look real healthy and happy and it was very clean and lots of different types of fish in the octopus was adorable

[@jerryhigg]

Troy, I loved this vid so much I shared it with my entire family and tweeted it out as well. Fantastic job bringing new places and ideas to all of us and educating us along the way. Great job Troy! Thank You ❤ 👍 🐠

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for sharing!! Really appreciate it

[@blackbolt57]

Wow, I use to go hang out at Belle Isle and never knew about the aquarium,Niiice

[@jeremymoore450]

That was awesome to see the oldest aquarium in the US. Those fish looked well taken care of. Thanks for behind the scenes. I never thought of a sand filter like for pools to keep an aquarium clean. They are far lower maintenance and cheaper to maintain. That is cool. I hope to see you in California and maybe you can visit the Birch aquarium in San Diego that place is huge and I love it. The octopus was so cute to interact with. Did you get to feed it? Appreciate the content I can't wait for more trips like this?

[@reggie2803]

Thanks for sharing. That was amazing.

[@CichlidBros]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nunya_Bidnez]

the Detroit Zoo is an amazing place as is Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum. A must see if you come back to Michigan.

[@CichlidBros]

Noted!

[@bradshrader7546]

Very beautiful looking place love stuff that last through time

[@projekpat86]

The Tampa Bay Aquarium in Florida is very nice has some pretty awesome exhibits !

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

I really appreciate what you're doing for the hobby and trying to get others involved as well with the aquarium hobby keep up the great work and video's, can not wait until next time to see what you are going to show us all. 😀

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@clownhartz]

What a wonderful little video :) I love that they water the octopus it was so cute lol

[@CichlidBros]

Loved the octopus!

[@nicklloyd6362]

Hats off to you them all , they take a labour of love to a new level. UK watcher😇

[@leroyknudson5151]

I love going to belle isles it is definitely a nice aquarium and the terrarium is awesome

[@lizarrrdbeth]

The puffer is enormous!! So beautiful and the tanks are so clean!!!!

[@pencilpauli9442]

Wow what a great aquarium Thanks for the video.

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidvento5481]

Have you considered filming at the NY Aquarium out in Coney Island? It’s also quite old. I know it very well as my high school (shout out for John Dewey) had an extensive marine biology lab and a work-study program associated with it. My great grandmother also once told me there was a public aquarium down near the Brooklyn Battery in downtown Manhattan in the late 1800s-early 1900s. I haven’t been able to thoroughly research it yet. You can also ride the cyclone at Coney Island, (the worlds oldest wooden roller coaster) and if you plan your trip properly it could coincide with the annual “Mermaid Parade” right there in Coney Island later in the spring. Cheers!

[@nicksavage4763]

THEIR FISH LOOK VERY HEALTHY 🎉

[@greatlakesgirl7601]

Thanks for the awesome video! Belle Isle is a great place to visit and the aquarium is really nicely maintained. The architecture makes it even more special. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@dbrew02]

Let's go!!! I live downriver about 20 mins south of there! Welcome!

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome, thanks!

[@MrNellom]

i visit michigan often never knew about this place def going to stop by and bring the kids looks awsome

[@CichlidBros]

I’d recommend!

[@homedude832]

Great video the octopus had a lot of personality 🐙 . I enjoyed seeing the red belly’s too

[@95rman]

You are killing it! Great videos!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, really appreciate that!

[@jnhgmorphs8017]

Great video!!!!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@matthewzito6130]

Not an aquarium, but the Bronx Zoo in New York has a surprising number of aquatic and semi-aquatic species including many fish. Exhibits include Jungle World, Congo Gorilla Forest, Madagascar!, the Children's Zoo, The World of Reptiles, The Aquatic Bird House, Sea Bird Aviary and the Sea Lion Pool. Similarly, the National Aquarium in Baltimore blurs the line between zoos and aquariums. The Australia and Amazonia sections are especially impressive.

[@kellyharrison5184]

Fascinating! Thank you for the tour.

[@CichlidBros]

You’re welcome!

[@WONDERFULREPTILES]

like amazing aquarium the octopus is beautiful

[@CichlidBros]

Loved the octopus! 🐙

[@jc49fishniner4lif7]

Thanks for sharing I appreciate 👍👍💯

[@CichlidBros]

No problem 👍

[@cyndyyoungschimke5936]

I live in Phoenix. We have an absolutely awesome Aquarium located in Scottsdale called Odysea Aquarium. It is enormous and one of my favorite thing about it is when you are in the restroom washing your hands, you are staring at a big shark tank through the glass above the sinks. Highly recommend.

[@lam4517]

This was an incredible tour! Thank you.

[@CichlidBros]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joshuagulick2507]

That was a great tour!

[@Nansen1981]

Love this ❤❤❤

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

what a cool place

[@CichlidBros]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@jsr1879]

Thanks for the great video. I live near Detroit and have visited multiple times. Glad you enjoyed your tour!

[@CichlidBros]

Had a great time!

[@Cichlids23]

Looks amazing!! Love the Frontosa but of course the Octopus is the show stopper!!! So awesome that locals have donated to keep it around, for almost 120 Years!! One of the saddest things about Americans is we have very little Beautiful Architectural History still standing! They love to tear down and build bigger and newer.....

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

This is cool! This great! This is awesome!

[@CichlidBros]

Haha, thanks for watching!

[@nospoon4799]

This was awesome. Thankyou. The fish all look so healthy.

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@51inches]

GREAT VIDEO

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@hollichristensen6419]

I love this place 😍

[@CichlidBros]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@scottjohnson5307]

Lovely have to come

[@CichlidBros]

I'd recommend!

[@twane1965]

Hey bro welcome to the D enjoy our tanks

[@NoelDickover]

All that with only 3 people??? OMG!!!! WOW, pretty incredible.

[@manukmurthy5175]

BRO ...I hope u get a turtle 🐢 TURTLE TURTLE TURTLE TURTLE TURTLE 💜 🥰🥰🥰

[@liamwalters5029]

I believe the oldest aquarium in the uk/ and the world is Brighton aquarium in Sussex I often go to it, , cool vid

[@tropicalpdx1341]

FYI - the tank that was labelled "Lake Tanganyika - Tropheus "Red Moliro" isn't correct. That's a tank full of Victorian cichlids, it's a quick clip but they look to be Hap sp. " Ruby Green". Nice looking place, love the ceiling.

[@larry648]

The Toledo Zoo has some nice aquariums too. They have arapaima.

[@CichlidBros]

✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼

[@frankallen8440]

I just discovered you. What a great tour and narration. Thank you.

[@CichlidBros]

Welcome to the channel!

[@camerica7400]

The fish look amazingly healthy!!

[@CichlidBros]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@AquaGardenZen]

Great video this place looks amazing 🤩

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@ItsLaurenE]

Always looking for more Chicago fish peeps to follow. Just subbed

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome, welcome to the channel!

[@XxBillyGoatNinjaxX]

You should consider checking out the Seaside Aquarium and Newport Aquarium along the Oregon coast

[@CichlidBros]

✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼

[@michanowak2553]

yesss that was coolll :)

[@CichlidBros]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@slipjones2]

Cool

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@aquaticamigo6439]

Wow thats kool

[@CichlidBros]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@josemac7891]

Lastima que no soy bilingüe pero con las imágenes me ha bastado para ver un lugar tan maravilloso como este sitio, que según entiendo es un Zoo acuático público, ósea que pertenece al estado ( raro ver lugares así sostenidos por un estado capitalista como el Yanqui) bueno es de agradecer el esfuerzo que realizo el joven conductor de Cichlid Bros por lograr entrevistar a los responsables de este Zoo - acuario público que por cierto es bastante antiguo, sería curioso saber como mantenían a los peces en sus inicios porque hoy en día es cuando existen sistemas de filtraje muy avanzados y mejorados; bueno solo deseo dejar un saludo y decirles que vivo en HONDURAS y me ha sido grato ver completo este documental.

[@TheirWorldAquatics]

Awesome video and great editing! Was this not the place that had the huge 5 to 6 ft long PAROON sharks in the basement that could only be viewed through a monitor on the main floor? I believe I went to this particular aquarium 18 to 20 years ago.

[@puddlefoot]

Interesting video, beautiful aquarium. I noticed an error/mis-label at 2:17, those are not Tropheus from Tanganyika, they are "Black & Red" Haplochromis from Lake Victoria. I've raised both and I'm very familiar with them. Thanks for sharing an aquarium that I'll likely never have the pleasure of visiting in person.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Yep you’re correct. Forgot to add the actual tropheus clip so it got mixed up

[@mikech60]

100 years is called new in Europe 🙂 Great place, I lived in Lansing for 1 year, too bad never knew about it.

[@garyt6479]

I would suggest the Seattle aquarium and steinhart aquarium in San Francisco. Great video

[@coachalecholler]

🤩

[@MHJ_404]

Visit the OFR

[@rayc7705]

When was this all filmed cause everytime I go it's closed so I gotta just chill with the koi off to the right.

[@alexanderfilor4144]

What where the other small fish other then the Congo Tetras in the Congo tank?

[@jimzielinski946]

Visit the John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

[@r1verman]

You should check out Ohio Fish Rescue.

[@CichlidBros]

Would love to some day

[@silentseawolf]

That green tile, and the age of the building, I wonder if it is made with uranium? Be fun to check it with a Geiger counter

[@Dargox59]

I wonder how old the oldest fish was that lived there

[@mell1629]

I’m very curious what an aquarium looked like in 1904

[@DavidHerrera-kv9vr]

Go to LISBON!!⚠️⚠️

[@rodneygaston1382]

I live 5 minutes from Belle Isle💪🏽

[@CichlidBros]

Nice!

[@rodneygaston1382]

@@CichlidBros Awesome Aquarium .. the Aviary & Gardens are beautiful in july

[@1980ify]

Hi troy! Great upload as always! Wanted to ask this about my peacock- My dragonblood peacock cichlid has some 2-3 black spots on its body. Is it some kind of disease?

[@CichlidBros]

Hard to say, but if they’re black spots I’d be less worried. Feel free to DM on insta or email a pic

[@garyt6479]

I forgot ask was that octopus from the Pacific Northwest, the pacific octopus can grow to 8 ft and weight up to 100 LBS

[@CichlidBros]

I believe so. They said it would be getting larger!

[@mindhunter00789]

wellcome back to detroit Wemissed you But dont worrie are "aim" is getting better

[@jasonsingh5293]

Wonderful place cichlid bro's but I'm not a fan of prunas strait south American cichlids for me 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼❤

[@wweandmore5685]

i just found you guys so is this all cichlids if yes then we have a like 125 gallon fish tank full of african cichlids

[@CichlidBros]

Welcome to the channel! We focus on cichlids but show anything aquarium related if it’s interesting

[@wweandmore5685]

@@CichlidBros Cool happy to be here. Do you guys do anything african cichlid related? Because if you do i will tell my dad and he will be glad to look to see if there are more african cichlids and see if he can get them in Kokomo Indiana because that is where i am and he inspired me with his never give up attitude to try to open my own fish store when i am older.

[@josephferdenzi4505]

Nice video, but the title is a bit misleading. It may be the oldest aquarium BUILDING but it is not the oldest public aquarium as an institution in the USA. That honor goes to the New York Aquarium, which opened in 1896.