Husbandry Techniques Abstracts
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Was this Swamp Always Here? or Shouldn’t that Water be in a Tank? Chris Emmet, Birch Aquarium Full Abstract
Around 1:30am on November 26, 2021, one of the primary supply lines at Birch Aquarium catastrophically failed. Approximately 30,000 gallons of seawater were then pumped out of the system, before pumps shut down, leaving roughly one third of the facility’s systems without flow, including the 70,000-gallon Kelp Forest tank. Once the reservoir was emptied, the Kelp Forest tank began to backsiphon, losing an additional 30,000 gallons. Staff were onsite within 30 minutes of the failure being discovered, and began responding to the situation, including emergency replumbs & rerouting of water, as well as isolating & identifying where the failure occurred. Through coordination & teamwork between Birch Aquarium husbandry and facilities staff, as well as support from Scripps Institute of Oceanography facilities, systems were stabilized & bypassed, contractors were brought in, and the line was repaired and the system successfully recommissioned 20 hours from the initial response. Despite interruptions in flow, there was not a single fish mortality, highlighting the importance of a prompt response. This presentation will discuss how the response proceeded, and how the lessons learned and steps taken can be generalized and applied to other facilities. A major line failure is a “worst case scenario,” and staff being prepared for such an event can streamline and smooth the response to such a stressful and time-critical situation. |
Population Management & Introduction Techniques of Aquacultered Fishes in the New England Aquarium's
Giant Ocean Tank Lindsay Phenix, New England Aquarium Full Abstract
Since 2008, the New England Aquarium has been developing an expansive larval fishes program that has successfully reared 13 different teleost species to adulthood. This program has helped to advance self-sustaining animal populations and has allowed schooling species to reach great abundance within exhibits. One benefactor of these achievements in aquaculture has been the 200,000 gallon multi-taxa Giant Ocean Tank (GOT), with a total population comprised of more than 50% aquacultured individuals. While many challenges can be faced during the larval rearing process, special considerations must be taken into account once these animals reach exhibits. Introduction, and furthermore population management, have presented their own unique trials and tribulations, often due to behavioral and developmental difference from their wild counterparts. Here we will examine the introduction and management techniques used for the smallmouth grunt (Haemulon chrysargyreum) and lookdown (Selene vomer) populations within the GOT. |
Holistic Husbandry Management
of a Population of 0.5 Blackblotched Rays (Taeniura meyeni) Amanda Vaughn, Disney's The Seas with Nemo and Friends Full Abstract
Epcot's The Seas 5.7-million-gallon Main Environment is home to five female Blackblotch rays (T. meyeni). As our Blackblotched population has increased due to in-house reproduction, we have witnessed the establishment of a perceived ‘social hierarchy’, as well a variety of social interactions, both aggressive and passive in nature. For this reason, as well as the species’ demanding needs for appropriate behavioral training, aquarist experience, tight diet management, and adequate housing, our team continues to evolve our strategy for overall Blackblotched ray husbandry. As of 2021, all five rays consistently participate in surface stretcher training, have a strategy for appropriate social groupings within sessions, take place in a ‘behavioral wellness’ monitoring tool that assesses their welfare on a daily basis, and have recently completed voluntary captures for physical examinations and barb grooming. As we work to achieve unprecedented animal welfare and staff safety while managing such large elasmobranchs, aquarists make ongoing assessments to streamline feeding and management procedures that uphold ‘manners’ in a species that can easily become overbearing due to their overall size and outgoing behavior. Through these changes, our team has accomplished more consistent feeding participation from all animals, better understanding of their expected behavior during times of high social aggression, and improved techniques in handling 250+ kilogram animals. We continue to strive for more, with the population currently progressing on voluntary blood and ultrasound behaviors and our team continuing to discern patterns in socialization and feeding trends and how they may relate to overall animal health. |
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Hammering Out Hammerhead Husbandry Melissa Bishop, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Full Abstract
In 2018 the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium opened the new Pacific Seas Aquarium with the largest display being a 280,000-gallon Sea of Cortez exhibit specifically designed to showcase Scalloped Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini). After one year of growing the animals out, that exhibit successfully opened in 2018 with 0.4.0 animals on display for the public. Scalloped hammerheads are known to be a more difficult species to keep in public aquariums. Many challenges were met and much was learned through the process that will be shared. Also to be shared is compiled husbandry information acquired through the years by facilities that have previously tried to keep this species, as well as others who are currently successful. Some of our challenges included managing the complex social dynamics of female scalloped hammerhead sharks. This contributed to two mortalities while still in holding. Those social dynamics continue to be a challenge today. Also to be shared are transport techniques, feeding strategies, and prophylactic quarantine treatments. |
Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo) rearing, days 1-425 Kayla Melton, Brendan Gilloffo, John G. Shedd Aquarium Full Abstract
Species that were commonly wild caught can no longer be relied upon for collections that aim to be more sustainable in the future. Bonnethead Sharks (Sphyrna tiburo), which in 2019 changed in IUCN status from Least Concern to Endangered due to decreasing population size, are notoriously difficult to rear and care for when born in captivity. In February 2020, 6 bonnethead sharks were born at Shedd Aquarium creating an ideal case study of how to successfully rear this species in captivity. Not only were all 6 bonnethead sharks able to survive well past their 1st birthday, they were also handled every other week (27 catchup days) for checkups using tonic immobility (4 minute mean handling time) giving the aquatic community a large data set of biometrics on this species and an example of how this once thought ‘delicate’ species can in fact be handled in a manner congruent with practices of modern aquarium husbandry. Data collected includes weights, lengths, daily food intake including supplements and plant fiber to mimic recent indications of omniovry in this species, liver size, and bloodwork including lactate levels (lactate mean = 1.93mmol/L +/-0.88mmol/L; 125 samples) which we believe to be a key aspect of success. The data collected can be disseminated to other facilities for future rearing of this endangered species and limit the need for wild collection. |
The Use of Animal Training in the Husbandry and Transport of
Great Hammerhead Sharks Melissa Paynter, Georgia Aquarium Full Abstract
This presentation discusses the ongoing training of Great Hammerhead Sharks, Sphyrna mokarran, and the use of this training in the capture and transport of this species. Using a moving target, aquarists were able to guide the sharks throughout the habitat, and ultimately allow them to participate in their own husbandry by voluntarily swimming into their transport stretcher. In addition to this, this training program was able to provide mental and physical stimulation, customized nutrition, administration of oral medications and supplements, and reduction of handling stress. These behaviors transferred with the sharks when they were moved throughout the different systems they have been housed in and the training program continues to this day. |
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Large Elasmobranch Management: A Collaboration Frank Young, Dynasty Marine Full Abstract
New public aquarium facilities have opened over the last several decades specifically designed to showcase large elasmobranchs. Guest feedback indicates an expectation to be engaged with larger and in some cases unique megafauna in larger, complex habitats. The focus on guest experience has influenced design parameters and challenged zoological professionals to achieve a higher level of successful care with large sharks and rays. A partnership commenced in 2017 between Georgia Aquarium and Dynasty Marine Associates to successfully collect, acclimate, and transport several species of larger elasmobranchs for a new, conservation- oriented shark habitat that opened in 2020. A fundamental goal of the new presentation was to transform the mindset of the guest. Many people have a fear of sharks, but once they conclude their experience that fear is transformed into a feeling of appreciation and advocacy. Though several different species were procured for this display, notable advances in husbandry techniques were developed for Sphyrna mokarran and Galeocerdo cuvier. The three years of research and development throughout this process has led to a better understanding of the initial and long-term care needed for these species. Some of these advances were achieved in relatively brief periods of time while others required a longer, more detailed process. As other facilities around the world consider displaying these particular species, our shared experiences might prove beneficial as we continue to work to advance the best practices of husbandry care for these sharks. |