the belle isle aquarium reopened on august 18, 2012, and is now run by the belle isle conservancy. it originally opened on august 18, 1904, and was the oldest continually operating public aquarium in north america when it closed on april 3, 2005. the aquarium was operated by the detroit zoological society prior to the 2005 closure. it is open to the public from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm every saturday and sunday, free of charge. the historic building features a single large gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tile to evoke an underwater feeling.