oceanarium, aquarium, ocean park... or none of them?

[Verona_82]

Hello,

I'd like to find out if the word 'oceanarium' is common among native speakers. I'm translating an article about my city which has an oceanarium. I'm asking because I don't remember seeing/hearing the word in English; but I've seen/heard 'aquarium', 'marine public park', 'ocean park' (I guess this one must be close to the coast), 'marine theme park'.

Thank you.

[billmcd]

Hello,

I'd like to find out if the word 'oceanarium' is common among native speakers. I'm translating an article about my city which has an oceanarium. I'm asking because I don't remember seeing/hearing the word in English; but I've seen/heard 'aquarium', 'marine public park', 'ocean park' (I guess this one must be close to the coast), 'marine theme park'.

Thank you.

I see nothing wrong with "oceanarium", although like you I have never seen/heard the term. But often you will find invented clever terms that fit the entity and perhaps this is one of those. In this case it may be similar to an aquarium but might exist in the ocean with some sort of submersible cage or screen to contain the sea creatures.

[emsr2d2]

I'd only ever seen "marine park" or "aquarium" but the Wikipedia listing for SeaWorld shows it as an "oceanarium".

[Barb_D]

If it's a large buidling with huge cases of fish swimming in water and perhaps few marine mammals and birds as well, I would suggest calling it an aquarium. It's what most people expect and understand.

[allenman]

I've heard oceanarium used quite a bit -- sounds okay to me.

Not a teacher -- AmE native