The aquarium has 2 million annual visitors. It was the most visited aquarium in the U.S. in 2005. In 2007, it was the most popular cultural attraction in Chicago. It contains 1,500 species including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. The aquarium received awards for best exhibit from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for Seahorse Symphony in 1999, Amazon Rising in 2001, and Wild Reef in 2004.