The 24,000-square-foot Austin Aquarium will open Dec. 12 to annual pass holders and Dec. 22 to the general public.

For the first 10 days, people who purchased the annual passes will have an all-access view to the aquarium, which has about 35 exhibits with more than 10,000 animals. The aquarium is located at 13530 Research Blvd., inside part of the former Lack's furniture store.

Co-owner Vince Covino said members can expect to see a variety of animals in the first few days. Animals that are already in exhibits include caiman crocodiles, Caribbean fish, sharks, stingrays, lorikeets and a 10-foot red tail boa.

"Every night, we go to the airport to get a hundred or so fish," he said.

The 17-pound giant Pacific octopus was flown in Dec. 9 from his Portland, Ore. aquarium. Guests can feed the lorikeets, a parrot-like bird, and see sharks in embryo in the nursery.

The aquarium includes several ocean-inspired murals created by artist Chris Fonseca. Covino said Fonseca drew designs for the mural, projected them from his laptop onto the walls and then traced them.

"He was here nonstop for five to six weeks," Covino said.

Staff, including 30 marine biologists and four zoologists, has been working around the clock to get the aquarium ready, Covino said. More than half of the 69-member staff has previously worked at an aquarium or zoo, he said.

Covino said he anticipates having about 3,000 visitors daily in the first few days of opening. He is extending the 50 percent off annual membership until Dec. 22.

Guests may also book private parties and rent out the facility for corporate functions. Covino said the aquarium is booked with private events on Friday and Saturday nights for the first six months.

The aquarium is open Sun.–Thu. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. For more information, call 512-284-9240 or visit www.austinaquarium.com.