PHOpened in 1913, the Manila Aquarium immediately became a popular attraction in the city. The place was managed by the government through the Bureau of Science.
An American tourist magazine described the Aquarium as “containing 27 exhibition tanks for the many bright-colored and curious fishes and other interesting specimens of the sea found in Philippine waters.”
Abandoned during World War II, the Manila Aquarium was revived after the war by the City of Manila. The Zonta Club, an organization of private citizens and businessmen, managed it until it closed again in 1983. It was revived in 1998 by a private group and renamed Acuario de Manila.
In 2004, the aquarium was refurbished by the Intramuros Administration and renamed Acuario de Real.