PPG Aquarium Inspiration: Build Your Own Exotic Tank with Fish from Rob’s Aquatics

Located within the Pittsburgh Zoo, the PPG Aquarium is a celebrated aquatic exhibit that introduces visitors to the incredible diversity of marine and freshwater life. With more than 45 exhibits, including tropical coral reefs, Amazonian rivers, and vibrant freshwater displays, it’s a must-visit for aquarists, families, and anyone fascinated by underwater ecosystems.

But what if you could bring a piece of the PPG Aquarium home?

At RobsAquatics.com, we help aquarists take that public aquarium inspiration and turn it into a private reality. Whether you fell in love with Peacock Bass, Elephant Nose Fish, or the eerie swim of a Polypterus, we provide rare, exotic freshwater species that allow you to build a tank that rivals professional displays.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

• What makes the PPG Aquarium unique

• Freshwater species from PPG you can own

• Aquarium themes you can recreate at home

• Fish care tips and habitat setups

• How Rob’s Aquatics helps turn your vision into a reality

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What Is the PPG Aquarium?

The PPG Aquarium, part of the Pittsburgh Zoo, opened in 1967 and has since grown into a world-class aquatic experience. Visitors are taken on a journey through ocean habitats, rivers, rainforests, and cold-water environments — all under one roof.

Some of the standout zones include:

• Amazon River Exhibit – Featuring giant freshwater fish and flooded forest visuals

• Tropical Rainforest Stream – A peaceful area with freshwater community species

• Cold Water Oceans – Housing species from northern waters

• Jellyfish and Coral Reefs – Mesmerizing, illuminated saltwater displays

While saltwater tanks may draw the spotlight, many serious hobbyists walk away dreaming about the monster freshwater fish and unique oddballs — and those are exactly the kinds of species we provide at Rob’s Aquatics.

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Exotic Freshwater Species Inspired by PPG Aquarium

While the PPG Aquarium doesn’t sell fish, you can still enjoy legal, ethical alternatives that resemble what you see behind the glass — shipped directly to your home.

Here are some home-aquarium-ready equivalents available at RobsAquatics.com:

👉 Browse All Exotic Fish Available

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How to Recreate PPG Aquarium Themes at Home

The beauty of public aquariums like PPG isn’t just in the fish — it’s in the environments. With the right layout, fish pairings, and equipment, you can mimic those ecosystems at home.

Step 1: Choose Your Exhibit Theme

Use the PPG Aquarium as inspiration for your home tank:

📩 Not sure which setup is right? Ask us here

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Step 2: Build Your Species List

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🌿 Amazon Predator Tank

• Tank Size: 240–400 gallons

• Fish: Temensis Peacock Bass, Albino Pacu, NTT Datnoids

• Décor: Driftwood, tannins, rockwork

• 👉 Temensis Peacock Bass

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🐍 Oddball Rainforest Stream Tank

• Tank Size: 180–240 gallons

• Fish: Elephant Nose, Ropefish, Vampire Shrimp, Clown Loaches

• Décor: Caves, leaf litter, low lighting

• 👉 Elephant Nose Fish

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🐢 Turtle + Predator Combo Tank

• Tank Size: 300+ gallons, wide layout

• Fish: Fly River Turtle (Melanistic), Polypterus Palmas, Clown Loaches

• Décor: Sand, smooth stones, basking area

• 👉 Fly River Turtle

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Equipment Tips for Professional-Level Setups

Creating a setup inspired by the PPG Aquarium requires more than just fish — it requires commitment to habitat design and water quality.

Essential Gear:

• Tank Size: Start at 180 gallons for predator tanks

• Filtration: Dual canister filters or sump (for heavy waste loads)

• Heating: Keep water between 78–82°F for tropical fish

• Lighting: Full-spectrum LED or dimmable for nocturnal species

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel, especially for bottom dwellers

• Lid: Reinforced lid for jumpers like Arowana and Peacock Bass

💬 Need help building your checklist?
Contact Our Setup Team

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Why Choose Rob’s Aquatics?

At Rob’s Aquatics, we curate the most unique and hard-to-find freshwater fish — the ones you usually only see at public aquariums like PPG.

What You Get:

• ✅ Live arrival guarantee on every shipment

• ✅ Exact fish photos/videos — no surprises

• ✅ Fast, secure shipping across the U.S.

• ✅ Weekly updates on new arrivals via YouTube

• ✅ Expert support on care, compatibility, and tank setup

👉 See What’s Available Now

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Ethical Fishkeeping Inspired by PPG Aquarium

Like the PPG Aquarium, we’re committed to responsible, sustainable animal care.

We believe in:

• ✅ Legal sourcing from trusted farms and breeders

• ✅ No wild-caught endangered species

• ✅ Proper quarantine and acclimation practices

• ✅ Education-first approach to fishkeeping

We want every customer to succeed — because a healthy tank is a beautiful tank.

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Rob’s Aquatics Customer Spotlight

“After visiting the PPG Aquarium, I couldn’t get the image of the Polypterus and Elephant Nose Fish out of my head. I found Rob’s Aquatics and was amazed they had them in stock — even better, they arrived healthy and active. My tank is now my favorite part of the house.”
— Lisa D., Pittsburgh, PA

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Final Thoughts: Bring the PPG Aquarium Experience Home

The PPG Aquarium is a magical place where the world’s rivers and oceans come to life — but you can capture some of that magic in your own home.

With RobsAquatics.com, you can build an aquarium that’s just as exotic and immersive as a public exhibit. From vibrant predators to oddball bottom dwellers, we provide everything you need to turn your inspiration into a thriving ecosystem.

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🛒 Ready to Start Your Aquarium Journey?

• ✅ Shop Rare Freshwater Fish Now

• 📺 Watch Our Weekly Stock Videos on YouTube

• 💬 Contact Our Team for Setup Advice

Bring the PPG Aquarium home — one fish at a time.