Masterplan of my "absolute" Zoo - 2022 version

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I start the description of the Aquarium of the Zoo, with its first floor dedicated to the freshwater species of all the continents.

The general map hasn't experienced many changes since 2021, but it's the case for some of the species displayed.

I describe the colour code of the picture :

• light green : Europe
• dark green : North America
  
• orange : South America / Neotropics
• greenish brown : Africa
• light yellow : tropical Asia
• dark brown : domestic/pet breeds

The first part of the building is dedicated to European species, the tanks mimic the main freshwater ecosystems of the Old continent.

In front of the entrance, there's a very large tank (1) for one of the most abundant European fish species, the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio (0.0.142).

This species breeds very easily, the Zoo has recorded 0.0.61 juvenile fishes recruited in the sole 2021 year.
0.0.31 other young Carps have joined the Zoo in the last year too.

Common Carp :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Carp tank (partial view) :

(Credits : Jambi)

The second tank (2), once occupied by Common Breams and Zebra Mussels, has been voided for a while and hosts a new species for a few months : the Rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus (0.0.26).
This fish species is also common, their tank reproduces the environment of an average Western European river.

Rudds :

(Credits : Daniel Sörensen)

Rudd tank :

(Credits : Daniel Sörensen)

I'll describe the following European tanks in the coming days.

I let now you post your first impressions and comments about the design of the Aquarium.

Stay in touch !

 

[Lota lota]

Looks fantastic as usual Haliaeeutus.And it's fun that you choose a Skansen exhibit as an example of your fantasy zoo.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Looks fantastic as usual Haliaeeutus.And it's fun that you choose a Skansen exhibit as an example of your fantasy zoo.

Maybe in the 2023 version, for the European Zone.
As I don't know much about this zoo, could you give me some examples of Skansen exhibits ?

 

[Lota lota]

Maybe in the 2023 version, for the European Zone.

Was that an answer to question? Because i didn't ask any question.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Looks fantastic as usual Haliaeeutus.And it's fun that you choose a Skansen exhibit as an example of your fantasy zoo.

Perhaps you talk about the Rudd tank ?
Sorry but I picked up the pictures on the site, without knowing most of the real exhibits.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we continue the visit of the temperate sector of the Aquarium's first floor.

The third tank (3), once occupied by Belicas and Schneiders, recreates a pond environment, full of vegetation. We can see here a new species, the Three-spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus (0.0.13).
These fish haven't yet bred here, but it's hoped that it will be the case in the following years, in order to show their special "nesting" behaviour to the visitors.

Three-spined Stickleback :

(Credits : Daniel Sörensen)

Three-spined Stickleback aquarium :

(Credits : KevinB)

The next tanks (4-5) represent more dynamic stream environments, with a colder, more oxygenated water, and no vegetation.

We can see here several fish species, including new species for the Zoo, albeit quite common in public aquarium collections :

• 4) Stone Loach Barbatula barbatula (0.0.80), Schneider Alburnoides bipunctatus (0.0.44), Eurasian Minnow Phoxinus phoxinus (0.0.68) ;
• 5) Burbot Lota lota (0.0.68).

The Minnows are a new species for the collection.

We can notice the spawning of the Schneiders in 2021, leading to 0.0.18 juvenile fish at the end of the season.

Stone Loach, Schneider and Minnow tank :

(Credits : lintworm)

Eurasian Minnow :

(Credits : Lota lota)

Burbot :

(Credits : Lota lota)

Burbot tank :

(Credits : geomorph)

After a row of exhibits dedicated to Europe, the two following tanks (6-7) are American, displaying fishes from the streams and lakes of this continent.
There are explanations about the ecology of these species, and the potential status of "pests" that they have in Europe, as some of them have been introduced there, and eventually replaced the native species (e. g. the Pumpkinseed, but also the Black bass, the Bullhead... and non-fish species of crayfish, terrapins, plants...).

The species displayed now are the following ones :

• 6) Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush (0.0.29)
• 7) Black-banded Sunfish Enneacanthus chaetodon (0.0.80), Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (0.0.11).

0.0.23 Lake Trouts arrived in 2021 to increase the current school, and the Pumpkinseed is a new species for our collection.

Lake Trout tank :

(Credits : dhole dude)

Pumpkinseed :

(Credits : Kakapo)

Pumpkinseed Tank :

(Credits : HungarianBison)

We can see now two other European tanks (8-9), dedicated to the migrating fish species, with panels about the conservation issues of these species that make long travels in their life cycle, the dam removing project supported by the Zoo in French rivers, and the European conservation movement for "dam-free" rivers, that is developing from Spain to Sweden and Ukraine nowadays.
The two tanks are full of piped to provide shelter to typical eel-like species.

We can see here the following species :

• 8) European Eel Anguilla anguilla (0.0.70)
• 9) European River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis (0.0.20)

In 2021, 0.0.23 European River Lampreys have been recruited, some of them can still be seen in the n° 9 tank.

The strange biology of the Lampreys is additionnally explained here.

European Eel :

(Credits : KevinB)

European Eel Tank :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

In the following days I'll present the last temperate tanks.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

that's now nearly the end of the temperate sector of the Aquarium's first floor.

We enter in a large glass tunnel (many exhibits like this one exist in the Aquarium) divided in two parts and dedicated to large species of fish.
Both exhibits have 4 meters depth and mimic a cave. The soil is made of rocks, sand and gravel.

The first tank (10) is European and dedicated to a single species, the Sterlet Acipenser ruthenus (0.0.51). 0.0.35 fish arrived in late 2021 to restock the tank and to try the breeding of this Endangered species (there are interactive panels about the conservation issues of this fish, and of all the Sturgeon species across the Northern Hemisphere).

The Zoo funds an hatchery in Romania, dedicated to the breeding and reintroduction of this species in the Danube.

Sturgeon tunnel :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

The second (11) is American and more animated.
We can see here many North American fish species, including some from the Southernmost parts of the continent, announcing the forthcoming Neotropical sector :

• Mississippi Paddlefish Polyodon spathula (0.0.9)
• Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus (0.0.10)
• Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (0.0.82), new species for the Zoo
  
• Rio Grande Cichlid Herichthys cyanoguttatus (0.0.46), new species for the Zoo.

Mississippi Paddlefish :

(Credits : Chlidonias)

Spotted Gar :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

We come now in the Neotropical part of the Aquarium.

The first tank (12) is a mock cave, it was formerly occupied by Mexican Cave Tetras, but they have recently been changed for Axolotls Ambystoma mexicanum (37.50), coming from the Vivarium.
As an amphibian species, they bring a bit of diversity in the Aquarium ; in other exhibits we'll see a few other herp species (new species or transfers from the Vivarium).

The strange biology of these animals is explained near the tank, as their place in the Mexican folklore (the name "Axolotl" means "water dog" in Nahuatl language) and the paradoxical conservation issues about them (nearly extinct in the wild, but extremely common in public and private collections).

Axolotl :

(Credits : Julio C Castro)

Axolotl tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

We can see now many aquaria dedicated to Neotropical river fish species.

A long tank (13) displays two medium to large-sized Amazonian species :

• Flag Cichlid Mesonauta festivus (0.0.8)
• Duckbill Catfish Sorubim lima (0.0.5)

Some other species have left the Zoo recently (Amazon Leaffish, Three-lined Pencilfish and Red Discus).

Flag Cichlid :

(Credits : Fargusno)

Duckbill Catfish :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Flag Cichlid and Duckbill Catfish exhibit (partial view) :

(Credits : jusko88)

In the next days I'll describe the other tanks of the Neotropical sector.

You can now post your comments and suggestions about the tanks described above, as well as the species displayed.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

We carry on the visit of the South American (= Neotropical) sector of the Aquarium.

At a corner, a small cubic tank (14) displays three common aquarium species, that nevertheless bring some life and animation to the sector :

• Cardinal Tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi (0.0.420), new species for the Zoo ;
• Bronze Corydoras Corydoras aeneus (0.0.83), new species for the Zoo ;
• Bucktooth Tetra Exodon paradoxus (0.0.83).

The layout of the aquarium contains aquatic plants, branches, and a soil made of sand and small pebbles.
0.0.65 Bucktooth Tetras arrived in the Zoo in late 2021, to strengthen the current school.

Cardinal Tetra Tank :

(Credits : HungarianBison)

Cardinal Tetras :

(Credits : bubblywums)

Bronze Corydoras :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Bucktooth Tetra :

(Credits : RatioTile)

The following tank (15) is also small and is dedicated to Two-spots Pike Cichlids Crenicichla lepidota (0.0.10).
0.0.5 Pike Cichlids arrived in our facility in late 2021.

We are now in front of a very large tank (16) where we can see one of the most famous and ferocious fish species in the world, the Red Piranha Pygocentrus nattereri (0.0.15). They have replaced the large Electric Eel that has been sent to another facility.
A small beach may be built in the near future, to host small Caimans, that would be added to the Piranhas.

Red Piranhas :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Red Piranha tank :

(Credits : Mr.Weasel)

Immediately after, there's the largest tank of the South American sector of the Aquarium (17).
There's little layout here (except a few large branches, and rotting leaves and sand on the floor), but a large water volume for the species displayed that are large and/or territorial.
Here we can see the following fish species :

• Arapaima Arapaima gigas (0.0.10)
• Jack Dempsey Cichlid Rocio octofasciata (0.0.8), new species for the Zoo.

Both species have successfully bred in 2021, producing 0.0.1 Arapaima and 0.0.6 Jack Dempsey Cichlids. After a short stage in the Nursery, we can see all of them in this tank.

Arapaima :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Jack Dempsey Cichlid :

(Credits : Hanjo)

Arapaima Tank :

(Credits : lintworm)

We conclude the South American section of the Aquarium with three small and quite dark tanks (18-19-20), displaying various species, often commonly raised by fancy aquariophilists :

• 18) Sail-fin Molly Poecilia velifera (0.0.69)
• 19) Dragonfin Tetra Pseudocorynopoma doriae (0.0.83), unique in European zoos and public aquaria
• 20) Guppy Poecilia reticulata (0.0.957).

We have lost some fishes, with a net loss of 0.0.5 Sail-fin Mollies and 0.0.7 Guppies, that remain numerous in our tanks.

Sail-fin Molly tank :

(Credits : ralph)

Sail-fin Molly :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Guppy Tank :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

Guppy :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

That's the end of the South American sector of my Aquarium.
The next part will be dedicated to Africa.

I let now post your comments about the aquaria and the species yet displayed.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Let's go to the next part of the Aquarium, dedicated to the rivers and lakes of Subsaharan Africa.

This complex begins with a complex of three tanks, that look like the Arapaima/Jack Dempsey tank of the South American section.
Thera are a few floating branches in the aquaria, and rocks on the bottom.

The first tank formerly used for African Lungfishes (21). Now they are replaced by Mozambique Tilapias Oreochromis mossambicus (0.0.15).

Mozambique Tilapia :

(Credits : KevinB)

Tilapia Tank :

(Credits : Mr.Weasel)

Immediately after that, we can see another large tank (22) with large and impressive Goliath African Tigerfish Hydrocynus goliath (0.0.8).
0.0.4 African Tigerfish arrived here in late 2021.

Goliath African Tigerfish :

(Credits : Tomek)

Tigerfish exhibit :

(Credits : Casuarius_casuarius)

The last tank (23) hosted Giraffe Catfishes (Bubus) in the past, but is now unoccupied.

Two small tanks (24-25) follow, they display real African curiosities :

• 24) African Knifefish Xenomystus nigri (0.0.5)
• 25) Peters' Elephantnose Fish Gnathonemus petersii (0.0.9), new species for the zoo.

The Angolan Walking Catfishes have left the Zoo, and 0.0.3 African Knifefishes arrived in the facility.

African fish tanks :

(Credits : geomorph)

African Knifefish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Peters' Elephantnose Fishes :

(Credits : Zooish)

The African sector concludes itself with a row of small tanks for miscellaneous species :

• 26) Burton's Mouthbrooder Astatotilapia burtoni (0.0.18)
  
• 27) Blue Mbuna Labeotropheus fuelleborni (0.0.105), Scrapermouth Mbuna Labeotropheus trewavasae (0.0.52)
  
• 28) Congo Tetra Phenacogrammus interruptus (0.0.48)
  
• 29) Bichir Polypterus sp. (0.0.3)
  
• 30) Red-tailed Silverside Bedotia geayi (0.0.92)
  
• 31) Reedfish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (0.0.1).

All these aquaria look conventional, with much aquatic vegetation inside that provide hides and even breeding places.

Since 2021, we can notice the departure of Redtail Nothobranches and Mormyrids (Petrocephalus sp.) and arrivals of 0.0.7 Burton's Mouthbrooders, 0.0.42 Scrapermouth Mbunas and 0.0.44 Red-tailed Silversides.
0.0.41 Blue Mbunas were recruited in 2021 too, enlarging the important school of this fish species.

Burton's Mouthbrooder :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

(not-so) Blue Mbuna :

(Credits : Kakapo)

Scrapermouth Mbuna :

(Credits : Patrick87)

Congo Tetras :

(Credits : WhistlingKite24)

Congo Tetra Tank :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

Bichir :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

Bichirs' Tank :

(Credits : Azamat Shackleford)

Red-tailed Silverside :

(Credits : Mo Hassan)

Red-tailed Silverside tank :

(Credits : Ituri)

Reedfish :

(Credits : Zooish)

Reedfish tank :

(Credits : ralph)

It's already the end of the African section ; in the following days I'll describe another part of the Freshwater aquarium, dedicated to tropical Asian species.

I let now post your reactions about these African aquaria.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today it's the last stage of the freshwater floor of the Aquarium, with a section dedicated to the lakes and rivers of tropical Asia, from the Sri Lankan swamps to the mighty Mekong.

We begin with the largest tank (32) with a sandy soil and full of aquatic plants that mimics a grotto ; it hosts a comunity of various fishes, belonging to the following species :

• Clown Loach Chromobotia macracanthus (0.0.152)
• Melon Barb Haludaria fasciata (0.0.34)
• Redtail Sharkminnow Epalzeorhynchos bicolor (0.0.17)
• Ghost Catfish Kryptopterus vitreolus (0.0.21).

0.0.29 Melon Barbs arrived in late 2021 in this tank.
Instead the large school of Three-spotted Gouramis has left the park, as 0.0.42 Ghost Catfishes.

Clown Loaches :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Melon Barb :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Redtail Sharkminnow :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Ghost Catfishes :

(Credits : TinoPup)

In front of this aquarium, there are two small tanks (33-34) that display these species :

• 33) Siamese Fighting Fish Betta splendens (1.1)
• 34) Bumblebee Goby Brachygobius sp. (0.0.3)

There are panels here, about the traditions of fish husbandry in Asia, that have led to many fancy breeds, and strange traditions as fish fights, practised with the famous Fighting Fishes.

0.0.15 Siamese Fighting Fishes have been recruited in 2021, they can be seen in individual tanks in the Animal Nursery (see the North Asian Zone).

Siamese Fighting Fish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Bumblebee Goby Tank :

(Credits : Zooish)

Bumblebee Goby :

(Credits : Kakapo)

The next aquarium (35) is slightly larger and displays a new species, also unique in European public aquariums nowadays : the Brown Spike-tailed Paradise Fish Pseudosphromenus dayi (0.0.90)

Brown Spike-tailed Paradise Fish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

The Asian sector ends with two large aquaria (36-37), where we can see the following fish species :

• 36) Clown Knifefish Chitala chitala (0.0.8)
• 37) Sheatfish Silurichthys sp. (0.0.3), new species for the Zoo.

Clown Knifefish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Sheatfish tank (possible view) :

(Credits : Moebelle)

The Asian Bonytongues have left the Zoo in late 2021.

0.0.31 young Clown Knifefishes from the 0.0.73 born in 2020 remain in the Nursery, the other have been sent to other facilities.

We conclude the Freshwater Aquarium with a small section dedicated to the fancy breeds of fish.
There are panels about aquariophilia as a hobby, and even training courses for the people that are interested on in.

A somewhat large tank (38) displays the first species, the Veiltail (breed of Goldfish Carassius auratus f. domestica (0.0.32).
We had a net loss of 0.0.2 Veiltails in 2021.

The last row of aquaria includes three tanks (39-41), where we can see the following fish species :

• 39) Black Molly Poecilia sphenops f. domestica (0.0.88), new species for the Zoo
  
• 40) Green Swordtail, breeding form Xiphophorus hellerii f. domestica (0.0.137)
• 41) Leopard Danio Danio rerio var. frankei (0.0.233)

We notice the recruitment of 0.0.15 Black Mollies in 2021, the juveniles live along with the numerous adults in the breeding tank.

The school of Black Tetras formerly present in the n° 39 tank has been replaced by the Black Mollies.
And 0.0.203 Leopard Danios have been donated by private owners that wanted to get rid of their fishes.

Green Swordtail :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Leopard Danio :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

This is the end of the Freshwater section of the Aquarium.
Now we go downstairs to discover the first marine species, beginning with the temperate shores of Europe.

Before entering in this section, I let you comment the Freshwater sections and give me some suggestions.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Welcome to the second floor of the Aquarium, dedicated to freshwater marine species.

Full map :

Every colour is assigned to a biome :

• greyish blue : rocky shores
• turquoise : sandy and flat shores
• greenish blue : seagrass meadows
• medium blue : high seas
• dark blue : abyss (new exhibit)
• pale blue : jellyfish tanks

We begin our trip on the rocky shores of the temperate Atlantic and Mediterranean, with three large exhibits ; two of them are mixed-species sceneries.

The first one (42), immediately in front of the stairs, mixes various species of fish, mollusks and crustaceans with a Mediterranean theme :

• Rock Goby Gobius paganellus (0.0.9)
• Swallowtail Seaperch Anthias anthias (0.0.6)
• European Green Crab Carcinus maenas (0.0.4), new species for the Zoo
• Date Shell Lithophaga lithophaga (0.0.89), new species for the Zoo
• Sea Snail (= Trumpet Shell) Charonia lampas (0.0.2), new species for the Zoo.

Some species have left the collection in 2021 : Tompot Blenny, Dahlia Anemone, Flat Top Shell, Banded-dye Murex and Tunicate.
0.0.2 Rock Gobies arrived in the same time.

Near this tank there's information about the activity of environmental education performed by the Zoo, that has supported the realization of sealife discovery paths along the French coasts (in mainland and overseas) and the training of marine biologists.

Marine Seashore tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

Rock Goby :

(Credits : zoogiraffe)

Swallowtail Seaperch :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

European Green Crab :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Trumpet Shells :

(Credits : Kakapo)

The next aquarium (43) is much smaller with a rocky substrate and a bit of sand, and doesn't host an European species but a North American one : the Oyster Toadfish Opsanus tau (0.0.5), a new species for the Zoo, also unique in European public aquaria.
This tank used to be occupied by Bearded Fireworms in the past.

Oyster Toadfish :

(Credits : RatioTile)

We see now the last tank (44) that displays another mix, this time from colder waters (Atlantic/Channel/North Sea) :

• Shanny Lipophrys pholis (0.0.7), new species for the Zoo
• Common Topknot Zeugopterus punctatus (0.0.5), new species for the Zoo
• Portuguese Oyster Crassostrea angulata (0.0.425), new species for the Zoo
• Strawberry Anemone Actinia fragacea (0.0.67), new species for the Zoo

This tank was formerly dedicated to species from sandy coasts, a sector that I'll describe later (many other tanks still belong to it).

Cold sea tank :

(Credits : troutaddict)

Shanny :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Strawberry Anemone :

(Credits : Merintia)

Here there's information about the importance of seas for human consumption in all the continents, with examples of marine foods of different countries.
There are even sessions of tasting of these strange foods (except the rare or endangered species of animals/plants, of course) in the Zoo, in order to enhance the curiosity of the visitors.

Now I let you comment these first marine exhibits, and post your suggestions.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today we plunge in the realm of the flat and sandy European shores, several small to medium tanks are dedicated to this habitat.

The first one (45) is the largest, it displays a few typical species :

• European Seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (0.0.95)
• Black Brittle Star Ophiocomina nigra (0.0.98), new species for the Zoo
• Netted Dog Whelk Tritia reticulata (0.0.39)

This new tank has replaced the former small tank for Ghost Shrimps.

0.0.32 European Seabasses have been recruited in 2021, some of the juveniles have been introduced in the main tank.

Some species (Golf Ball Sponge, Peacock Worm, European Bittersweet) have left the collection.

European Seabass :

(Credits : KevinB)

Black Brittle Star :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Immediately after, we see two small and sandy tanks (46-47), with the following species :

• 46) Lesser Weever Echiichthys vipera (0.0.9) ; Sand Sea Star Astropecten irregularis (0.0.4), a new species for the Aquarium
• 47) Greater Weever Trachinus draco (0.0.6)

The collection has lost 0.0.1 Greater Weever in 2021.

Here there are information about the venomous animals that can be met in the French temperate waters, and can be dangerous to the bathers and to the fishers (Weevers, Scorpion Fishes, Jellyfishes, Hydroids...), and advices in case of envenimation.

Lesser Weever and Sand Sea Star tank :

(Credits : MagpieGoose)

Lesser Weever :

(Credits : gentle lemur)

Greater Weever :

(Credits : Hanjo)

We come now in another environment, dedicated to the seagrass meadows, represented with two aquaria with rich vegetation and mixed exhibits.

The first one (48) is the largest, it hosts many species :

• Long-snouted Seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus (0.0.32)
• Broadnosed Pipefish Syngnathus typhle (0.0.92), new species for the Zoo
• Saddled Seabream Oblada melanura (0.0.11), new species for the Zoo
• Long-snouted Wrasse Symphodus rostratus (0.0.2), new species for the Zoo
• Common Cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (0.0.80), new species for the Zoo
• Kaleidoscope Jellyfish Haliclystus auricula (0.0.178), new species for the Zoo

The Zoo has recently experienced reproductive success with the Long Snouted Seahorses : 0.0.13 individuals have been recruited in 2021.
Additionnally 0.0.15 captive-bred individuals have been imported from other facilities.

The Zoo leads research and conservation projects for the Seahorses in the French coasts. There are panels about that here.

Long-snouted Seahorses :

(Credits : carlos55)

Broad-nosed Pipefish :

(Credits : Jordan-Jaguar97)

Saddled Seabream :

(Credits : Merintia)

Common Cuttlefish :

(Credits : TheGerenuk)

We'll soon discover the second aquarium of the subzone.

I let you comment this post before new discoveries.

See you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

we take now a look on the second seagrass meadow aquarium (49), smaller than the first but with another mix of fish and marine invertebrates among lush marine vegetation :

• Worm Pipefish Nerophis lumbriciformis (0.0.21)
• Sea Stickleback Spinachia spinachia (0.0.4), new species for the Zoo
• Sea Slug Edmundsella pedata (0.0.91), new species for the Zoo
• Sea Slug Chromodoris sp. (0.0.43)
• Bristly Crab Pilumnus hirtellus (0.0.62), new species for the Zoo

Since 2021, we have lost 0.0.6 Worm Pipefish but 0.0.21 Chromodorises arrived in this tank.

Worm Pipefish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Sea Stickleback :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Sea Slug (Chromodoris sp.) :

(Credits : devilfish)

It's now the beginning of the trip in the high seas, the first tank (50) offers an interesting array of medium-sized species, typical of the temperate-cold waters.
The substrate is sandy with a few rocks, there's a large volume of water for the fish displayed here.

Now we can see these species in a mixed presentation :

• Thornback Ray Raja clavata (4.2)
• Piked Dogfish Squalus acanthias (2.4), new species for the Zoo
• Longspine Snipefish Macroramphosus scolopax (0.0.26)
• Rockfish Sebastes sp. (0.0.5)
• Cylinder Anemone Cerianthus membranaceus (0.0.39)
• Sea Lily Holopus rangii (0.0.52), new species for the Zoo

The zoo get rid of some species since 2021 : the large school of Whitings and the colony of Sea Cucumbers.

Here there are information about the issues with conservation in the high seas.
The Zoo advocates for the creation of marine sanctuaries off the French and European coasts, to allow the regeneration of the fish stocks and to provide food supply to other animals (seabirds, marine mammals...).

Partial view of the first high sea tank :

(Credits : geomorph)

Thornback Ray :

(Credits : Mo Hassan)

Piked Dogfish :

(Credits : Hanjo)

Longspine Snipefish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Rockfish :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Cylinder Anemone :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

The next exhibit (51) is very special because it's dedicated to the fauna of the deep sea.
It has opened for spring 2022.
The visitor enters first in a dark corridor that mimics a (yellow) submarine, there are only a few spots on the floor for safety reasons.
Then he/she can see a large tank with nearly no light, it's for now the realm of two new species that can be seen in the dark environment of this place, behind several portholes.
Flash pictures are strictly forbidden, while it's really difficult to take images of the animals and of the exhibit itself.

The species displayed are :

• Half-naked Hatchetfish Argyropelecus hemigymnus (0.0.99), unique in Europe
• Deep-sea Sponge Pheronema carpenteri (0.0.7)

We hope to have some success in the husbandry of both species, and if the maintaining is successful, other fish and invertebrate species could join the collection.

Near the entrance of the Abyss corridor :

(Credits : snowleopard)

Gate of the Abyss exhibit / Mock submarine :

(Credits : Robaque)

In the next days I'll describe the newly refurbished jellyfish section, as well as the very last (but by far the biggest) tanks for temperate marine fish.

I let you now post your comments and suggestions about this section of the Marine Aquarium (especially about the Abyss tank, that's quite unusual in most public aquaria even if some promising examples exists, like in Monterrey ; I've also seen a few exhibits for the deep-sea species in La Rochelle and, in the 1990's, in Monaco, and I was very curious about them).

Sea you later !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I describe the next stages of the temperate marine deck of my Aquarium, especially dedicated to the high seas.

The Jellyfish sector (52-53) has been recently refurbished, the former large tank of the Common Jellyfishes has been replaced by two smaller tanks for two new species (not true jellyfishes) more seldom displayed in public aquaria :

• 52) Man o' war Physalia sp. (0.0.6)
• 53) Sea Gooseberry Pleurobrachia pileus (0.0.49)

The visitor can see the strange ballet of these creatures behind a large window.
The scenery is completed by explanations about the ecological role of the jellyfishes in the seas, and even about their potential usefulness for medical research and even cosmetics.

"Jellyfish" tanks :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

We discover now the two last exhibits (54-55) of the temperate marine section, that are also (by far) the biggest.

They are immense tanks, crossed by a glass tunnel where the visitors walk.

The first tank (54) is themed on Californian Pacific coasts. Here we can see the following species :

• Pointed-nosed Guitarfish Pseudobatos productus (5.5)
• Leopard Shark Triakis semifasciata (2.3)

The Sandbar Sharks have left the collection, as well as 3.0 Leopard Sharks, while 0.1 individual of the latter species arrived in late 2021.

The soil is sandy ; there's a lot of kelp algae in this aquarium, that give a touch of mystery to the exhibit where the encounter of the sharks and rays is really spectacular.

A partial view of the exhibit :

(Credits : Coelacanth18)

Pointed-nosed Guitarfish :

(Credits : Zoological Point)

Leopard Shark :

(Credits : Moorish)

The last tank (55), last temperate stage before the Tropics, is dedicated to Mediterranean sealife, and as impressive as the first, with spectacular species as described here :

• Giant Sunfish Mola mola (2.2.6)
• Crevalle Jack Caranx hippos (0.0.7)
• Tropical Two-Wing Flyingfish Exocoetus volitans (0.0.100), new species for the Zoo and unique in European aquaria.

The Zoo get rid of the Thornback Rays and the Sea Cucumbers formerly displayed here.

Giant Sunfish :

(Credits : Tomek)

Crevalle Jack :

(Credits : RatioTile)

Sunfish tank and tunnel :

(Credits : Moebelle)

I add that the Aquarium has managed to grow 0.0.6 Giant Sunfish larvae to the juvenile stage in 2021 ; these young fish can be seen in the main tank with the adults.

I've now finished the description of the temperate part of the marine Aquarium.

In the next days I'll describe the last floor of this building, dedicated to the tropical seas.

Now I let you give me your impressions and suggestions about the lastly described aquaria, I may take them in account when I'll release the 2023 version of the Masterplan.

Stay in touch !

 

[Van Beal]

Question… do you estimate how much room you think the animals will need when making exhibit sizes or is there a source you have that supplies that information? Wonderful zoo plan!

 

[Haliaeetus]

Question… do you estimate how much room you think the animals will need when making exhibit sizes or is there a source you have that supplies that information? Wonderful zoo plan!

I make estimations for every exhibit except the aquaria and terraria.
I estimate the exhibit sizes using a ruler (0,5 cm = 10 m on my maps), I find informations about exhibit sizes with my own experience and websites as Zoolex and (formerly) the WAZA website.

 

[Van Beal]

I make estimations for every exhibit except the aquaria and terraria.
I estimate the exhibit sizes using a ruler (0,5 cm = 10 m on my maps), I find informations about exhibit sizes with my own experience and websites as Zoolex and (formerly) the WAZA website.

Alright thanks. Kinda working on a spec zoo myself, but want it to be as accurate for exhibit sizing as possible.
So for the aquaria and terraria what kind of sizes do you use for certain creatures?

 

[Haliaeetus]

Alright thanks. Kinda working on a spec zoo myself, but want it to be as accurate for exhibit sizing as possible.
So for the aquaria and terraria what kind of sizes do you use for certain creatures?

I'm roughly inspired by the public aquaria and zoos I've seen, but in the next versions of my zoo (2023 and then) I may add surfaces and volumes (for the aquaria), but I concede it's difficult to find accurate information.

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

today I start the description of the last (and the most popular) part of the Aquarium, dedicated to the tropical marine species.

Here's the map of this section of the Aquarium :

Every colour corresponds to a biome, as below :

• blue : high seas
• pink : shallow coral reefs
• greenish blue : seagrass meadows
• turquoise : sandy and flat shores
• dark purple : shark and turtle exhibit
• light purple : mangroves and atolls

We begin with a very large tank at the right of the visitor path (56), with a sandy soil, a wreck in the middle and rocks on the sides.
The fish have a lot of water volume to swim.

In 2022 we can see here the following species :

• Clown Coris Coris aygula (0.0.10)
• Saw-jawed Monocle Bream Scolopsis ciliata (0.0.16), unique in Europe
• Blackspotted Puffer Arothron nigropunctatus (0.0.2)
• Clown Surgeonfish Acanthurus lineatus (0.0.9), new species for the Zoo
• Dusky Batfish Platax pinnatus (0.0.9), new species for the Zoo

0.0.6 Clown Coris arrived in 2021, while the Humpback Groupers and the large school of Silver Moonies have left the Zoo.

Clown Coris :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Blackspotted Puffer :

(Credits : Lota lota)

Clown Surgeonfish :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Dusky Batfish :

(Credits : WhistlingKite24)

At the left of the visitor, some portholes allow to catch a glimpse on the spectacular shark and turtle exhibit, certainly the most popular place of this Aquarium.
But I'll talk about it later.

The visitor goes now along a row of small aquaria with various species.

The first (57) displays strange Japanese Pineapplefish Monocentris japonica (0.0.7).

Japanese Pineapplefish tank :

(Credits : KevinB)

Japanese Pineapplefish :

(Credits : Kakapo)

The second tank (58) has replaced its Bluestriped Fangblennies by a more spectacular species, the Snowflake Moray Echidna nebulosa (0.0.4), again a new species for the Zoo.
Like for the European Eels in the Freshwater part of the Aquarium, there are pipes, as well as natural rocks, where the morays can hide theirselves.
The soil is made of sand and pebbles.

Snowflake Moray :

(Credits : gulogulogulo)

I'll describe other exhibits in the following days.

I let now you post your comments and suggestions about these first tropical marine aquaria.

Stay in touch !

 

[Haliaeetus]

Hello,

the visit of the tropical marine section is continuing, with a long, large tank dedicated to the seagrass meadows of the tropics (59).
In this tank, formerly dedicated to rocky shores (its dwellers : Titan Triggerfish and Longspine Porcupinefish, have left the collection), there's a seagrass bed (the invasive species as Caulerpa taxifolia and C. racemosa are carefully avoided).
Two species, both new for our collection, are displayed here :

• Prickly Leatherjacket Chaetodermis penicilligerus (0.0.8)
• Peacock Hind Cephalopholis argus (0.0.4)

Prickly Leatherjacket :

(Credits : wstefan)

Peacock Hind :

(Credits : fkalltheway)

The next aquarium (60) is a small tank dedicated to the sandy coasts ; it's the home of a rarity, already presented in 2020, the Filament Glassfish Gymnochanda filamentosa (0.0.9) ; this species is very scarce in European public aquaria.

We come now in the true corallian reef section of the Aquarium.
Five large tanks (61-65) display a mix of coloured fish species.
All of them are themed on various tropical seas, as described below :

• 61) Caribbean Sea : Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus (0.0.9)
• 62) Red Sea : Arabian Angelfish Pomacanthus asfur (0.0.4), Forcepsfish Forcipiger flavissimus (0.0.6), Sunrise Dottyback Pseudochromis flavivertex (0.0.7 ; new species for the Zoo)
• 63) Indonesia : Starry Toadfish Arothron stellatus (0.0.5), Horned Bannerfish Heniochus varius (0.0.2), Saddle Butterflyfish Chaetodon ephippium (0.0.10 ; new species for the Zoo), Yellowface Angelfish Pomacanthus xanthometopon (0.0.4 ; new species for the Zoo)
• 64) Melanesia : Palette Surgeonfish Paracanthurus hepatus (0.0.6), Parrotfish Scarus sp. (0.0.3), Spotted Unicornfish Naso brevirostris (0.0.6), Harlequin Shrimp Hymenocera picta (0.0.2 ; new species for the Zoo)
• 65) South China Sea : Spinecheek Anemonefish Premnas biaculeatus (0.0.5), Bluespine Unicornfish Naso unicornis (0.0.3), Harlequin Filefish Oxymonacanthus longirostris (0.0.2), Blue Koran Angelfish Pomacanthus semicirculatus (0.0.3).

We have received 0.0.2 Yellowtail Snappers, 0.0.2 Forcepsfish, 0.0.5 Spotted Unicornfish.
Meanwile the Comets, Valentin's Sharpnose Puffers, Pennant Coralfish, Emperor Angelfish, Japan Surgeonfish, Moorish Idols and Banded Coral Shrimps have left the collection and we have lost 0.0.1 Parrotfish.

Here there are panels and even a short film that display the monitoring and restoration works supported or led by the Zoo in various coral reefs : Israel, New Caledonia and Indonesia (Bali and more recently Raja Ampat).

Arabian Angelfish :

(Credits : gentle lemur)

Forcepsfish :

(Credits : Hix)

Starry Toadfish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Horned Bannerfish :

(Credits : devilfish)

Saddle Butterflyfish :

(Credits : Therabu)

Yellowface Angelfish :

(Credits : Daniel Sörensen)

Palette Surgeonfish :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Spotted Unicornfish :

(Credits : KevinB)

Harlequin Shrimp :

(Credits : Hix)

Spinecheek Anemonefish :

(Credits : Zoological Point)

Bluespine Unicornfish :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Harlequin Filefish :

(Credits : vogelcommando)

Blue Koran Angelfish :

(Credits : Haliaeetus)

Coral reef tank (example) :

(Credits : German Zoo World)

In the following days I'll describe other marine tropical exhibits.

For now I let you post your comments about the exhibits I've just described, the species lists... and your suggestions to improve them.

Stay in touch !