The deep blue arrived in the Valley in a sparkling new aquarium that promises to be part Finding Nemo, part March of the Penguins and maybe a bit of Jaws.

If the zebra sharks aren’t enough of a thrill, there’s the flume ride – you’ll actually float beneath the waters of the tropical fish tank.The project is a spinoff of the privately run Wildlife world Zoo in Litchfield Park in the West Valley. For 4 years, crews have been quietly assembling Arizona’ first stand along aquarium. Now, the creatures of the deep are ready for their debut.

The Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium is about a third the size of San Diego’s Sea World and half the size of the Phoenix Zoo. But its aquatic exhibits more than quadruple the latter’s Stingray Bay and similar displays found at retailers Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. The aquarium first 3 buildings total 35,500sqft (about the size of a small department store). There’s a 10-year plan to reach 130,000sqft. (623)935-9453