Though I was born on the Island of Puerto Rico, I’ve never been much of a beach person. I think it’s pretty, but what most intrigues me is the ocean. Not only is it Earth’s largest habitat, it’s a vast world of beautiful unknowns.

Sea animals have adaptations that make them seem almost alien. They have mechanisms for breathing and living successfully in a marine environment. For example, fish use gills to extract oxygen from the water.

Unlike lungs, gills are branching organs on the side of fish heads. They allow fish to take in water through their mouths and pump it out through their gills, using the oxygen in the water to breathe.

Sharks have gills, but some sharks breathe by pumping water through their pharynx and passing it through their respiratory system. To keep oxygen-rich water flowing over their gills, other sharks have to swim continuously or risk drowning.

Walking through the Downtown Aquarium in Denver, I caught myself fixated on watching the fish breathe. The gill covers flapped open and shut as they swam through their enclosures in a flawless aquatic dance.

I envied the fish, wishing all I had to do was breathe and swim. Then, I considered the daily struggles of fish. Dealing with predation, overfishing, ocean acidification, commercial whaling, and plastic didn’t sound appealing.

I began to think that fish didn’t have it better than I did. Their lives are just different. Still, I watched, daydreaming I could live among them, if only for a short while. Just long enough to take a break from my life.

The Coral Lagoon, with its breathtaking colors, pulled me deeper into a trance. Barrier reefs serve as barricades, breaking down wave energy before it reaches land. I imagined what a barrier reef looks like in its natural environment. I can’t begin to put it into words, but “surreal “ came to mind.

The Downtown Aquarium has a mermaid show, underwater dining, a dive lounge, and 12 exhibits, including a 4-D theater and carousel. The aquarium is committed to supporting the conservation of the environment and educating visitors on the importance of being respectful and protecting the planet’s wildlife.

They have partnered with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Wildlife Alliance, Earth Share, National Marine Fisheries Services, Ocearch, The Ocean Project, WildAid, and The World Parrot Trust, helping to “create a world where humanity can survive together with wildlife for generations to come.”

The Downtown Aquarium is located at 700 Water Street, Denver. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DowntownAquariumDenver, or you can call them at 303-561-4450.