I had heard about Shark Reef for quite some time -- intrigued that one of the large casino hotels on the strip would actually have one in house. So, when I found myself in Las Vegas for a short visit, I expressly made plans to scope out the territory.
I love aquariums, but, as others have written here, Shark Reef simply cannot be compared to municipal aquariums found in larger cities around the United States.
I could not find about 1/4 of the animals advertised -- like the turtle -- but there were some highlights: the jellyfish, and the octopus. There was actually an open tank where you could 'pet' the rays, but I declined.
Interestingly, throughout the exhibit, were signs pointing to the dangers of overfishing and other issues related to our oceans, encouraging people to make more responsible choices. This strong conservation angle was quite unexpected.