Visiting Ripley's Aquarium - II

an article by Carli Flenniken

     Another species of outstanding beauty that is represented are the poisonous dart frogs. The ones featured in the picture appear to be a color morph of Dendrobates Tinctorius.

     The next section is referred to as “The Ocean Realm”. At the entrance is a huge tank full of what are referred to simply as “schooling fish”. The gape mouthed expression that each and every fish wore was amusing enough to me to wish to include them. And you simply cannot appreciate schooling behavior until you see hundreds of the same fish following the exact same path in unison.

     Next are the seahorses. There are several different color variants within the same tank, and all blend in with their surroundings in some way…each time you look, you find a new one!

     Many other species are contained in this exhibit, including frogfish and yellow-headed jawfish. Within this section the support system for the entire aquarium is viewable as well.  The massive water tanks, computer panels, and filtration systems are quite a sight!

     Then onto the Coral Reef exhibit. The species are from the Indo-Pacific and include parrots, damsels, butterflies, and some puffers. The first thing you notice when entering this section is a tank measuring 40 feet wide and 9.5 feet high which contains an unspeakable collection of species.  Dive shows are performed regularly in this tank, though we missed it this time.

     After spending 15 minutes stalking a puffer who refused to stay still long enough for me to photograph, this Angelfish (possibly either Pomacanthus semicirculatus or Chaetodontplus septertrionalis?) became my representative of the huge tank.

     The picture above shows a few of the Anthias in one of the tanks. These fish come on an amazing array of colors, but since my daughter was impressed most by the blue fellow with the yellow band on his neck, he was chosen.

    Continued in next page