SeaQuest, a controversial chain of shopping mall aquariums with one location in Minnesota, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The filing in Idaho bankruptcy court late Monday follows a year of investigative reporting by 5 INVESTIGATES and ABC News that revealed repeated incidents putting animals, guests, and employees in danger.

At SeaQuest Roseville inside the Rosedale Center mall, the business recently cut hours and admission prices as scrutiny of the company became more intense over the summer, including an active investigation conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

5 INVESTIGATES has also confirmed state investigators recently submitted a case to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office which is now considering whether to file criminal charges.

That case is connected to a DNR inspection of SeaQuest in August, but officials declined to share any details about what they found.

SeaQuest closed locations in Texas, Virginia, Connecticut, and Colorado this year. Five locations remain open.

Bankruptcy court records show the company’s gross revenues plummeted in 2024, dropping to $15.28 million from about $27.2 million in 2022. SeaQuest tells the court it currently has more than $16.6 million in liabilities compared to less than $700,000 in assets. 

It is a trend that Aaron Zellhoefer, Minnesota state director for the Humane Society of the United States, attributes, in part, to publicity from multiple investigative reports about the company.

“I think the fact that SeaQuest has lost so much money from consumers not spending their money at SeaQuest… is a huge deal,” Zellhoefer said.

Records also show SeaQuest has nearly half a million dollars in unpaid rent at the Rosedale Center alone. 

The company has not yet responded to a request for comment. 

SeaQuest Roseville was open to customers on Tuesday, but it is unknown what impact the company’s bankruptcy will have on operations going forward.

“I’m not sure what is next for SeaQuest,” Zellhoefer said. “But what I hope is that the animals are going to be taken care of.”

For 5 INVESTIGATES complete coverage on SeaQuest, CLICK HERE.