Planet Zoo 2 Aquarium Guide
Learn how aquariums work in Planet Zoo 2, including freshwater vs. saltwater, confirmed aquatic species, and key tank requirements.
Image: Frontier Developments
Planet Zoo 2 aquariums can be built as freshwater or saltwater tanks, and Frontier has confirmed that fully aquatic species are a franchise first. The key systems currently announced are filtration, keeper diving access, and underwater tunnels for guest viewing.
If you want to build your first aquarium in Planet Zoo 2, start with the tank type that matches the species you plan to house, then make sure the aquarium includes the clean-water and staff-access systems Frontier has already detailed.
How Aquariums Work in Planet Zoo 2
Frontier has positioned aquariums as one of Planet Zoo 2’s major new features. In the official breakdown and later aquarium-focused coverage, the studio confirmed that players will be able to build custom aquariums for fully aquatic animals.
Two tank types have been confirmed:
- Freshwater
- Saltwater
That matters because the game’s aquatic roster includes animals that clearly belong in different water environments. Frontier has not published a full tank-by-tank species compatibility chart in the fact sheet, so the safest rule is simple: match the tank to the species’ water type and follow the animal’s in-game requirements once you unlock it.
Frontier has also said aquarium management includes filtration systems to keep tanks clean. In addition, keepers can dive into tanks for animal care, which confirms that aquariums are not just visual exhibits; they need active management.
For guests, Frontier has confirmed underwater tunnels as a viewing option. That means aquariums are designed to be part habitat, part attraction, with sightlines built into the guest experience.
Confirmed Aquarium Species
Frontier has officially named several fully aquatic or aquarium-friendly species. The fact sheet confirms the following launch aquatic roster entries so far:
| Species | Status |
|---|---|
| Blacktip Reef Shark | Confirmed |
| Hawksbill Turtle | Confirmed |
| Ocean Sunfish | Confirmed |
| Red Lionfish | Confirmed |
| Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark | Confirmed |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | Deluxe Edition exclusive |
| Axolotl | Deluxe Edition exclusive |
| Blue and Gold Fusilier | Deluxe Edition exclusive |
| Longfin Batfish | Deluxe Edition exclusive |
| Humphead Wrasse | Confirmed |
| Brown Trout | Confirmed |
| Blunthead Cichlid | Confirmed |
| Spotted Eagle Ray | Confirmed |
| African Tigerfish | Confirmed |
| Schooling Bannerfish | Confirmed |
| Golden Trevally | Confirmed |
| Blackspotted Puffer | Confirmed |
| Clown Loach | Confirmed |
| Pacific Sardine | Confirmed |
| Indo-Pacific Sergeant | Confirmed |
| Dolphinfish | Confirmed |
| Yellow Tang | Confirmed |
Frontier also states that sharks, fish shoals, and turtles are part of the aquarium feature set. The official articles mentioned above are the strongest source for what has been announced, and the Zoopedia continues to expand weekly.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater: What’s Confirmed
Frontier has not published a comprehensive rulebook for every species in the fact sheet, but it has confirmed enough to establish the basic structure:
- Freshwater tanks exist
- Saltwater tanks exist
- Aquatic species are being revealed through official Zoopedia updates and feature articles
Because of that, the best planning approach is to build with the species in mind from the start. A saltwater shark tank and a freshwater fish exhibit are not interchangeable just because both are aquariums.
If you are building your first exhibit, the practical takeaway is to set up the water type first, then place animals that fit that environment. Frontier has not announced any shortcut that lets one tank type cover all aquatic species.
Aquarium Requirements Frontier Has Confirmed
Frontier has not released a full in-game aquarium checklist in the fact sheet, but these requirements and systems are officially detailed:
| Requirement / System | Confirmed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater tanks | Yes | Officially confirmed by Xbox Wire |
| Saltwater tanks | Yes | Officially confirmed by Xbox Wire |
| Filtration systems | Yes | Used to keep tanks clean |
| Keeper diving access | Yes | Keepers can enter tanks for care |
| Underwater guest tunnels | Yes | Confirmed viewing feature |
| Fully aquatic species | Yes | Franchise first |
That is the core of aquarium management as Frontier has described it. The game’s aquarium system is not just about placing water and décor; it includes maintenance infrastructure and staff interaction.
One detail worth noting is that Frontier has framed aquariums as part of a broader animal-simulation upgrade. Water reacts dynamically to animal movement, including ripples from terrestrial species. That does not replace aquarium-specific care, but it does suggest that water behavior and animal presence are more deeply integrated than in the first game.
Best First Aquarium Setup
Frontier has not announced a single “starter tank” blueprint, so this section is about applying only the confirmed systems.
A good first aquarium setup should follow this order:
- Choose freshwater or saltwater
- Select a confirmed aquatic species
- Add filtration
- Make sure staff access is available for diving care
- Consider guest viewing, including underwater tunnels
That sequence fits the systems Frontier has already named. Since aquariums are a new franchise first, it is safest to build around the species’ needs rather than assuming the same habitat logic used for land animals will work here.
If you want the simplest possible path, start with a species that Frontier has already highlighted in aquarium coverage, such as Blacktip Reef Shark, Hawksbill Turtle, Ocean Sunfish, or Red Lionfish. For Deluxe buyers, the aquarium-related exclusives include the Great Hammerhead Shark and Axolotl, along with two fish species.
Aquarium Content Beyond the Tank
Aquariums are part of a bigger conservation and zoo-building push in Planet Zoo 2. Frontier has also confirmed:
- Aviaries for fully flying birds
- Wildlife Reserves for releasing animals into restored habitats
- Improved construction tools and management systems
That matters because the aquarium feature is not isolated. It sits inside a sequel that Frontier describes as a major upgrade to animal behavior, construction, and conservation gameplay.
The official timeline also shows that Frontier has continued to expand aquarium-related details after the initial announcement, including the Feature Focus: Awesome Aquatics video, the Creature Feature: Aquariums article, and species-specific reveals such as the Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark.
What Is Not Yet Officially Detailed
A few aquarium-related specifics have not been officially announced in the fact sheet:
- A complete species-to-water-type compatibility list
- Exact tank size rules
- Exact filtration mechanics
- Any hidden aquarium progression tiers
- Any full launch roster total
So if you are planning your first build ahead of launch, stick to the confirmed basics: freshwater or saltwater, filtration, keeper access, and species choice.
Bottom Line
Planet Zoo 2’s aquarium system is built around custom freshwater and saltwater tanks, filtration, keeper diving care, and underwater guest tunnels. Frontier has confirmed a growing list of aquatic species, including sharks, turtles, rays, and fish, making aquariums one of the sequel’s biggest franchise-first additions.
If you want to build your first aquarium in Planet Zoo 2, start with the water type, then design around the species you want to house.
Frequently asked questions
Can aquariums in Planet Zoo 2 be freshwater and saltwater?
Yes. Frontier has confirmed that aquarium tanks can be **freshwater or saltwater**.
Which aquatic species are confirmed for Planet Zoo 2?
Confirmed aquatic species include **Blacktip Reef Shark, Hawksbill Turtle, Ocean Sunfish, Red Lionfish, Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark,** and several fish species listed in the official Zoopedia.
Do aquariums need filtration in Planet Zoo 2?
Yes. Frontier has said aquarium management includes **filtration systems** to keep tanks clean.
Can staff dive into aquariums for animal care?
Yes. Frontier has confirmed **keeper access for diving into tanks** for animal care.
Are underwater tunnels confirmed for guest viewing?
Yes. Aquariums support **underwater tunnels for guest viewing**.
