Elasmobranch Husbandry Abstracts
Mobula hypostoma - You're Not Cool Unless You Have a School
Forrest Young, Ben Daughtry, & Frank Young, Dynasty Marine and FL Keys Aquarium Encounters Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
This presentation in intended to walk the listener through the whole process of obtaining Mobula hypostoma in more detail than has previously been presented on. Last year Dynasty Marine successfully collected a school of 6 Mobula hypostoma that are currently on display at Aquarium Encounters. The talk would follow the natural sequence of events required to get these animals on display. It would start with information on permitting from the state. The collection process would be briefly touched upon. Then acclimation, quarantine, and teaching to feed in captivity would be discussed. We would go over prophylactics used and dosages administered. Then transportation of the animals both by land and in the air would be explained. Finally, long term holding and discussion on the great interactive display animal that they can be. |
Husbandry R & D Efforts with Common Thresher Sharks, Alopias vulpinus, and Opah, Lampris guttatus: No One Said this Would Be Easy
Kevin Lewand and Joe Welsh, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
No abstract |
How to Be a Smooth Operator with Gymnura micrura John Mauser, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Smooth Butterfly Rays (Gymnura micrura) are a very interesting ray species that are rarely exhibited in Aquariums because they are considered difficult to keep in captivity. They are a small ray species found in the Eastern and Western Atlantic, which earn their name from their butterfly shaped wings and their “fluttering” swimming motion. They are predatory rays that explode out of the sand to attack prey items, making for exciting feeding presentations. These rays also have an unusually short tail, and lack a barb, which makes them a great addition to touch tanks. Since Smooth Butterfly Rays are such a unique species, and readily available to us locally, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores decided to start collecting and working with them in 2012. We made several attempts to solve the problems associated with feeding them in captivity. Through trial and error, we have found very successful ways to get them eating. Due to their shy nature and predatory style of feeding, we had a few hurdles to jump when displaying them in a touch tank exhibit. After a few more modifications to their husbandry, such as feeding them separately in a simple acrylic box, we started seeing great success in keeping these animals. These rays are fantastic exhibit animals, especially in a touch tank scenario. Armed with a little bit of information, any aquarium could successfully add this species to their collection. |
Thinking Outside the Box Truck - Long Distance Transports for Elasmobranchs:
Department of Transportation Compliance and LSS Logistics Barbara Bailey, Monika Schmuck, Shannon Mahoney, Caitlin Crowley, Lydia Glenn, Nina Fischer, Julie Cavin, New England Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Long distance transports for elasmobranchs take a great deal of planning, but are further complicated when complying with Department of Transportation regulations. In late July, early August 2014, the New England Aquarium transported six Rhinopterus bonasus (cownose ray) to South Carolina Aquarium in exchange for two adult female Sphyrna tiburo (bonnethead shark). In order to comply with DOT 'hours of service' regulations for truck drivers, the transport teams needed to be launched in stages. To limit the amount of stops for water quality testing and adjustments and visual checks, a sophisticated life support system and animal monitoring capabilities were designed, all operated from the cab of the truck. This system included; inverter power, mechanical and biological filtration, pH buffering system, water sample tap, dosing capability, dissolved oxygen monitoring and control, webcam feed to a laptop and use of a go pro for underwater video. This presentation will outline the details of this transport. |
Full Abstract
More than a decade after Cairns Marine first started providing juvenile sawfish, public aquaria now face the challenge of managing animals that have matured to young adult status, attaining lengths of up to 14 feet. Whilst the majority of animals remain at the original aquarium that they were shipped to, some animals have outgrown their exhibits, others have become problematic with some of their tank mates and some need to be moved in order to form pairs and capitalise on potential breeding opportunities as part of studbook programs. Moving a 12 foot sawfish is problematic at the best of times but what if the aquarium that the animal has to be transferred to is international and the only way the movement can be achieved is via standard commercial passenger aircraft without an attendant? There are no precedents and this would be the first time anyone has attempted to move a sawfish this size in an aircraft. This presentation follows the transfer of a 12 foot sawfish from Reef HQ in Townsville where it has been living since it was collected in the Norman River back in 2003. The destination is the massive open ocean display at Resorts World in Singapore. Significant logistical issues have to be overcome including capture of the animal from a multi-species exhibit, relocation to Cairns via road transport, temporary housing at Cairns Marine, air transport on a standard commercial aircraft, and unloading into an aquarium with significant access constraints. Airfreight is a major issue given the length of the Sawfish exceeds the length of an aircraft pallet and typical transport containers are not big enough. Given there are other animals and facilities in a similar position around the world, this is a timely opportunity to share the good and the bad about this epic world first and assist aquaria to better manage their collections. |