AQUARIUM WELCOMES POT-BELLIED AUSSIES
Thursday, 10th December 2009
A colony of the world’s largest species of seahorse has arrived at Bristol’s new Blue Reef Aquarium.
The Australian pot-belly or big-belly seahorses can grow to more than 30cms in length.
The fish get their name because of their prominent bellies which are shared by both males and females.
Their new home is a giant 3,000 litre acrylic display, complete with sea grasses and an underwater viewing window at its centre.
Blue Reef’s Dan de Castro said: “Seahorses are always among the most popular displays with visitors and the pot-bellies are certain to be a big attraction.
“As well as being one of the most impressive seahorse species, pot-bellies are also well known for the fact that they form large colonies - unlike most seahorses which are relatively solitary fish.
“All the new arrivals are captive bred to help protect wild populations and we’re hoping some may be pregnant and that we will soon be looking after a new generation of these fascinating creatures,” he added.
The seahorse is unique in the animal kingdom in that it is the male rather than the female which carries the babies and gives birth to them via a special brood pouch on their stomach.
The female seahorse lays her eggs in the male’s pouch. He then fertilises them and incubates them until they’re ready to emerge into the great outdoors.
In the wild virtually all of the approximate 35 species of seahorse are now under threat from a variety of sources. These include loss of habitat, pollution, the souvenir trade and traditional medicine - believed to account for the deaths of more than 20 million seahorses annually.
Since it opened on November 20th staff at the new £4m Harbourside attraction have been delighted with the public response – last weekend the aquarium welcomed more than 1,600 visitors.
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