Friday, 26 March 2010

A few more photos of Venom


It's Friday and Venom is due to open soon. Here are a few more photos. I can't wait to see it all finished.



Sunday, 21 March 2010

Jellyfish in the Venom display

Ok I was in the blue planet aquarium late on Saturday and I got to see that they have put the Jellyfish into the jellyfish tanks in the Venom display. I only had my phone on me so the pics are low res but you can see some larger red jellyfish in the tank on the left. It's hard to see but the right hand tank has hundreds of small transparent jellyfish in it. I spoke to the staff installing it and they said they will be there all night fine tunning the system so that the jellyfish can not get sucked down into the pumps. I can't wait to see Venom open!


Friday, 19 March 2010

Venom

Ok just stopped into the blue planet, the venom section is nearly ready structurally. I could see so many new tanks including a big circular tank with fake ruins in. I think it will be for the Lionfish display with 360 degree viewing. The other really exciting thing I saw was two jellyfish tanks bigger then any other jellyfish tanks I have seen or read about. The venom display will be great.








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Location:Blue Planet Aquarium

Saturday, 13 February 2010

Inside information

Ok just a quick update for you today. I was speaking to a staff member and was told a few things. Firstly the beetle in my last post is a poisionus beetle from south east Asia (probably Vietnam but she wasn't certain).

Secondly the work they have started on the bottom floor is to create a brand new exhibition of reptiles and lizards. One in which you will be able to put her head up into a bubble and see creatures all around you. I think some thing like the meerkats tunnels/bubble observations they have in some zoos. I will keep you updated with some pictures soon.

Thirdly and finally she told me that the quarintine area is packed full of fish and they have had to set up more tanks to hold all the fish they have. So even their staff room has some tanks in now. I think this is very hopeful for the future, I'm expecting to see lots of new fish and exhibits soon.

Saturday, 30 January 2010

Butterfly Goodeids


Common Name:
Butterfly Goodeids
Scientific Name:
Ameca splendens
Scientific Class:
Actinopterygii
Conservation Status:
Extinct in the w
ild
Habitat:
Jalisco, Mexico
Life Expectancy:
2 years
Diet:
Mainly insects
Maximum Size:
12cm


Tank Breeding:
Breeding is easy with the right conditions. Gestation takes 55 to 60 days, normally 5 to 30 fry are born depending on the size of the female. Fry do not need to be removed from the parents tank, as they are rarely bothered. The Fry, as many goodeids may have an umbilical cord, as it will disappear within a short amount of time.
Interesting facts:
Found in only two ponds in Mexico. This species is part of an ongoing breeding effort by the livebearer TAG Group. Males of this species may fight fiercely, especially over females.
Private UK Aquarium:
Yes, they are relatively easy to keep and
thrive best in clean, well aerated water, at temperatures around 20-25°C and neutral or slightly higher pH. Butterfly goodeids are strong swimmers and social fish; they like to be dwell in groups of 3-5 males and 3-7 females in large tanks (200 L and up) where they can grow to full size. In smaller tanks (60 L) and they will stay smaller, and fewer individuals or no other fish should be kept.
Blue Planet Aquarium Tank:
The Butterfly Goodeids are housed in the tank that used to house the black knife ghost fish. They look to be set up well and thriving in the tank. The most interesting thing in the tank is the addition of some kind of water beetle. I have no idea what the beetle is and the Blue Planet Aquarium has not given any details about it. This is a shame as it is very interesting to see the inclusion of an insect in a display.