Husbandry Abstracts
|
Managing Diversity in a Complex Predatory Exhibit Allan Jan & Eric Hupperts, Steinhart Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Amazon flooded forest is one of the most dynamic tropical freshwater habitats in the world with an amazing diversity of fish. This diversity can make for a truly awe-inspiring exhibit in a public aquarium. However, the challenge is to create a display that successfully balances showing off the truly impressive array of large predators and smaller species, giving the public an accurate representation of the Amazon. This presentation will detail the process by which the Steinhart Aquarium’s Flooded Forest exhibit team successfully approached this exhibit challenge. Previous attempts to add smaller, schooling fish to the exhibit resulted in them becoming food for the larger predators, especially the nocturnal red-tail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus). Therefore it was determined that any successful introduction of new fish must be predicated by the removal of those predators. Subsequently, the red-tails were removed from the tank, the new species were introduced and allowed to acclimate, and then the catfish were slowly re-introduced to the exhibit. After 12 months and all six catfish back in the tank, all the newly introduced species successfully co-exist with the red-tail catfish. Although losses did occur, the impact was not enough to diminish the value of the added fish. |
Pleine eau Seaweed:
Habitat-based Aquascaping at Monterey Bay Aquarium Barb Utter, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a habitat based aquarium. Most of the permanent exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium are based on specific ocean habitats. These habitats are designed based on habitat accuracy and and an in-house aesthetic commonly called aquascaping. This talk will discuss aquascaping at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and how it includes collection, design, and husbandry of algae, invertebrates, and seagrass. |
Cnidarella - Not a Fairy Tale Marie Collins, SEA LIFE Aquarium @ LEGOLAND California Resort Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
One genus a majority of all aquariums have in common is one pesky Cnidarian—Aiptasia! These stinging hydroids are often a common thread upon discussion groups and are often a difficult invertebrate to conquer. Once Aiptasia starts to bud, and it is abundantly known to reproduce very quickly, it can be a major challenge to eliminate. Especially if you don’t have a Berghia nudibranch colony growing at your facility. There have been many discussions, commonly amongst reef keepers, on best practices to destroy them. This presentation will discuss the many trials and treatments done at SEA LIFE Aquarium @ LEGOLAND California Resort, but also amongst the SEA LIFE Aquarium group as a whole. A survey will reveal the most successful methods of successes and failures among the world’s largest aquarium brand, with 50 aquariums worldwide. There are three main ways to reduce this species—through biological, mechanical, and chemical methods. Biological successes can be attributed to Aiptasia-eating filefish, Acreichthys tomentosus, Berghia nudibranchs, Chelmon rostratus, Lysmata wurdemanni, and even Asterina miniata (in ambient temperatures). Mechanical or physical removal of species can be done by the use of a heat gun or an electric laser, called an “Aiptaser.” This essentially removes the polyps by use of an electric wand by using low voltage electrical current to create hydrogen gas from the saltwater. Thus, chemical removal has been done by using other chemicals such as “Aiptasia X”, vinegar solutions, bleach solutions, and most recently the use of chloroquine. Chloroquine has been the most successful method of chemical reduction of hydroids at our facility from doses at 10-25ppm. This method has been used extensively on sensitive species (juvenile Hippocampus sp., Heteroconger sp. and other scale less fishes). Photographs and videos will be shown to document the potential uses of the treatments. |
|
Promoting Chrysaora quinquecirrha Growth Without Using Jellies. Is it Possible?
Margarida Ferreira, OCEANÁRIO DE LISBOA, SA Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Chrysaora quinquecirrha, the Atlantic sea nettle, is a jellyfish species common in the east coast of the United States, such as the Chesapeake Bay. In captivity, it is considered essential to provide other jellies as food to achieve success in C. quinquecirrha growth from ephyrae to adults and to maintain the adults. In order to test if it was possible to raise C. quinquecirrha without using jellyfish as food, an experiment using Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) mash as food for the ephyrae was conducted. The respective growth rates, as well as mortalities, were studied. Results showed that although the herring mash diet did not promote the transition from ephyrae to juvenile stage, the jellyfish mash diet had higher mortality. A different experiment using adults instead of ephyrae was conducted to test the effect of these two diets. Observations indicated that the adults fed with the herring mash developed a “stronger” and “firmer” mesoglea. |
Let's Get Kraken: Managing a Diverse Collection of Octopuses
Christopher Payne, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The new cephalopod gallery, Tentacles: Astounding Lives of Octopuses, Squid and Cuttlefishes has allowed us to work with over ten species of octopuses from around the world. We have worked through several challenges while learning different husbandry methods and techniques for each species and how each species best fits into our exhibit needs. The exhibit features five octopus exhibits but we accommodate several other species behind the scenes in a number of different holding areas. Since the initial inception of research and development for the gallery, we have worked with 11 confirmed species and 3 unknowns. These animals are held in tanks ranging from 10 gallons to our exhibit, 483 gallons. The greatest challenges are the short life spans, sourcing the animals, and finding a balance between exhibitry and proper animal care. |
Floating freshwater treatment system for Giant Black Seabass (Stereolepis gigas)
Erin Lyman, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
For years the Monterey Bay Aquarium has successfully used routine, prophylactic freshwater treatments to treat monogenean infestations on the three Giant Black Seabass located in the Monterey Bay Habitats exhibit. These specimens are getting large with the biggest one weighing in at just under 300 lbs. In an effort to decrease the handling stress on these endangered animals as well as protect husbandry staff from injury, we created an floating bath technique so that the freshwater bath could be performed in the saltwater exhibit without having to remove the animal from exhibit and into the service area. The treatment process is much quicker, requires half the staff with no heavy lifting and the animals are returned to exhibit faster making it easier on animals. This floating treatment structure is easy to build and can be used for a variety of treatments and on any large animals. |
|
A submersible hyperbaric chamber for decompression of "Twilight Zone" fishes Matt Wandell, Richard Ross, California Academy of Sciences Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The California Academy of Sciences is currently engaged in exploration of mesophotic coral reefs between 50-150 meters depth (aka the "Twilight Zone") and is committed to a future exhibit of fishes and corals from this habitat. One of the challenges with collecting and exhibiting fishes from this depth is preventing barotrauma from the relatively rapid ascent to the surface. Methods such as swim bladder venting with a needle or caging the fishes were considered less ideal than a slow and controlled ascent in a hyperbaric chamber. In this presentation we will describe how we adapted a boat/land-based hyperbaric chamber design from Joe Welsh of the Monterey Bay Aquarium into a compact and submersible hyperbaric chamber that can be easily staged underwater during rebreather dives. Once on land, the system relies on a diaphragm pump that exchanges water under pressure and an adjustable pressure relief valve to regulate the pressure inside the chamber. Early results have been encouraging and examples of its use will be presented. Future plans for modifications and deployment will also be discussed. |
The effectiveness of compression treatment for deep-sea demersal fishes using a gravity-produced pressure chamber Hiroko Takaoka, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Rapid reduction of water pressure is the most serious limiting factor for collecting and keeping deep-sea fishes in aquariums. To treat the symptoms of decompression sickness, so-called barotrauma of the fishes collected from the deep ocean below 200m, we have designed a gravity-produced chamber in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This chamber system consists of a 190L and a 3000L tank on the ground floor of the aquarium which hold 4 smaller satellite tanks, respectively on the 1st floor (1.5m), 2nd floor (5m) , 3rd floor (10m) and 4th floor (18.5m) . It is a circulating system, each tank with inlet filters to help preserve water quality, and with shut-off valves on each floor to create variable pressures in the holding tank. Live deep-sea fish for exhibition are collected by rod & reel and baited traps, both methods commonly used by Okinawa’s local deep-sea commercial fisheries. Collected fish are quickly put into cold water tanks with oxygen, sometimes releasing air from their air bladder first, and then transferred to our gravity-produced pressure chamber. This system has helped us successfully keep over 100 species from depths of 200 to 650m from around Okinawa, such as Triodon macropterus, Cephalopholis igarashiensis and Parmaturus pilosus. This chamber has shown great effectiveness, therefore we have been able to focus on other challenges, such as displaying the fish and technical developments for reproduction. |
A comparison of various disperal methods of live aquatic food items and liquid food supplements using a laser Nephelometer
to monitor changes in food density in an aquarium over time Dave Smith, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Goal: To evaluate the effectiveness of three methods of liquid food (naups, live algae, liquid supplements)dispersal in an aquarium display based on the following criteria: 1. Distributes food items in a manner that does not impact visitor experience nor exhibit husbandry 2. Food is fed out in significant densities so that exhibit filter feeders can acquire enough food to meet nutritional requirements 3. Food is fed out over multiple intervals to closer resemble natural food availability throughout the day 4. Live food items are maintained in optimal conditions ensuring good water quality and low mortality 5. Food items are fed out in a cost effective manner that reduces excess food items going down the drain without being consumed Food density and duration of food in the water column will be determined by turbidity levels using a laser Nephelometer. I am comparing three different methods to distribute naups/algae to the exhibit over the course of three days: Method 1: Addition of naups/algae directly into to tank 2x/day Method 2: Add the naups to the “standard” auto feeder used at MBA with a water timer controlling how fast the food items drain out of the display Method 3: Use a water timer on a FSW line to supply batches of water to the auto feeder. The “modified” auto feeder has a Hartford loop, allowing the feeder to flush out food while maintaining a constant volume of water in the auto feeder. |
|
Collection, husbandry and transport
of Naucrates ductor João Correia, Flying Sharks Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
This is a report on the capture, transport, and husbandry of pilotfish, Naucrates ductor. The objective of this work was to investigate and essay the most adequate process for capturing, transporting and maintaining pilotfish, while gaining valuable understanding on their behavior. Collection was done in the Azores archipelago, approximately 25 nautical miles off Horta, the capital of Faial island. They were captured using a standard fishing rod and hook, after attracting blue sharks with bait. Such is done because pilotfish normally associate with larger animals, particularly blue sharks in this region. 76 individuals were then transported by boat, with regular water changes to the Porto Pim Aquarium, where they were maintained for 2 months. After this, they were transported by sea over 3 days inside a 40 feet shipping container, while swimming in round polyethylene tanks equipped with both mechanical filtration and foam fractionation. This transport was then followed by an 8 day long transport by road along Portugal, Spain and multiple public aquaria in France. These individuals endured the entire transportation with no losses and showed remarkable resistance to extreme temperature fluctuations, amongst other critical changes. The multiple challenges faced upon all stages of the process (i.e. collection, holding, transport and introduction) are discussed in detail, especially the moment of introduction, where massive losses (due to predation) were regrettably frequent in all institutions. Transports in sealed plastic bags were later conducted and results on both simulated and real shipments are presented and discussed in detail as well. |