The owners behind aquariums in Portland, Ore., and Boise, Idaho, are planning to open a new location in Northwest Austin in 2013.

Lary Smith, who works in office support and education at the Portland Aquarium, said the target opening date is Nov. 1. The aquarium will be located at 13530 N. US 183 in the former Lack's Furniture store, which was split into three different units. The Salvation Army Family Store opens June 8 in one of those other units.

Smith said one of the owners, Vince Covino, is scheduled to visit the Portland Aquarium on June 13 to provide staff with a briefing on the Austin location.

So far, Smith said not much information has been given about the new location, other than it likely will have a shark and ray tank and an area where people can feed and pet the animals. He said the Austin Aquarium would be larger than Portland's, which is 12,000 square feet in size, and could have similar exhibits. The Portland Aquarium opened Dec. 10, and exhibits include starfish, seahorses, sea anemones and an octopus named Roxy, Smith said.

The Austin Aquarium Facebook page indicates the location will have 22,000 square feet and 35 exhibits.

The owners are also planning to open an aquarium in Phoenix, Smith said. For more information on the Austin Aquarium, visit www.austinaquarium.com.