Northwest_FIsh_Keeping
Well-Known Member
The time has come. I am finally making a species list for my absolute favorite Aquarium. The Monterey Bay Aquarium needs no introduction, consistently being ranked as a Top 3 Aquarium in the Country with the likes of Georgia and Shedd (though I haven't visited the other 2 yet). Boasting hundreds of achievements at this point, including many world firsts in animal husbandry, exhibit design, conservation, and more. This place is special to me since not only have I been coming here since I was little, but I've also made connections with some of the staff over the last couple of years and have gotten to see and hear some pretty exciting things that are going on behind the scenes. None of which I can say publicly, but when that time comes, it'll be no surprise considering it's Monterey Bay.
After almost a 3 year hiatus, I made the trip down and spent the last 2 days in the area. What I really love about the Aquarium and why I personally believe it's the best in the country is its location and history. Not only was it built from an old Sardine Cannery, but the area itself is also an amazing location, being right on the water with so much local wildlife to see right off of the Aquarium's back deck and in the surrounding areas compared to the other 2.
Those who are familiar with me know how much I love this place, so a Species List is obviously something I've been wanting to do for a while.
A lot of people like to divide the Aquarium up into 2 different sections: The left side and the ride side. The left side being mainly representative of animals you would find in the beaches, tidepools, inland reefs, and shallower depths of the bay. The left side being representative of what animals are found miles offshore, often in deeper waters and the vast open ocean. I normally like to start off with the left side of the aquarium first, then move onto the right side, so the list will be set up as such.
'The Kelp Forest' (Main Tank) | An icon of the Aquarium, this 333,000 Gallon, 28-feet-tall tank was the first successful system to grow live Kelp in an Aquarium. It's run completely off of natural sunlight, water pumped straight from the Bay, and a surge machine that provides the correct amount of flow. All these qualities combined create one of the most stunning exhibits you'll ever see. The third floor has a viewing area that lets you look into the top of the exhibit that demonstrates how it all works. I would say that Summer is the best time to view this tank, as that's normally when the Aquarium adds in a large school of Northern Anchovies that really top off the whole thing. This tank is also used as a grow out tank for the Leopard Sharks and Giant Sea Bass, who are usually born at the Aquarium, and then move onto the larger tank in the "Monterey Bay Habitats" gallery.
'Giant Pacific Octopus' | The Aquarium's GPO exhibits are a little unique compared to other GPO exhibits you normally see. They keep their GPO's with various invertebrates and fish, and the tanks are on the larger side than you normally see at other Aquariums. They also normally have 2 GPO's on exhibit at a time, while most other Aquariums have 1. There are some surprising rare gems in here besides the Octopuses
'GPO Tank 1'
'Main Tank'
The rest of the gallery is also home to some of the more unique creatures on this side of the Aquarium as well.
Other exhibits within the gallery
'Sea Otters' | One thing a lot of people bring up when talking about MBA is the fact that, compared to other aquariums of its size, it lacks marine mammals. While true, MBA’s Sea Otter program is so legendary and has revolutionized the scene that it doesn’t really matter if their collection is not as diverse. They were able to stick to one thing and be so good at it, that it changed the Sea Otter husbandry and care to what we have now in most AZA institutions. They’re also unique in that they keep a couple of other California native species with the Otters (all species you could find in the Kelp Forest tank, but it is nice to see).
'Splash Zone and Penguins' | What is pretty much the Aquarium's kid zone, it's home to the only tropical reef tanks in the entire Aquarium. Famously known for originally being a temporary exhibit but got so much attention, they decided to make it permanent, it recently reached it's 25th year anniversary.
Due to that, the gallery has definitely started to show it's age. And very excitingly just the other day, the Husbandry Operations Project Manager confirmed a massive renovation is happening early next year (with plans of wrapping up late next year it sounds like) with tons of new work and species on the way. It's almost by default the Aquarium's weakest gallery (not that it's bad, just nothing mind blowing like the rest of the Aquarium) and this renovation is sounding like it will put it on par with the rest of the galleries. It sounds like they're going heavy with the tropical species for this renovation. I can't wait to see it.
'Coral Kingdom' (A hallway of various reef tanks home to the Aquarium's only tropical species, this area is getting the most work done in the renovation with a 5 to 6,000 gallon, 30ft long reef tank being one of the main showpieces of the upcoming renovation)
Northern Anchovies (Engraulis mordax)
‘Seaweed Gardens’ (All the fish species in this tank are babies that are found either as eggs or already hatched in the main exhibits)
Crossing the bridge, you get to see a nice view of the bay, a somewhat clear view of the Sea Otters, and then a couple more interactive conservation message exhibits. Then this is where you enter the Open Sea wing, home to many of the Aquarium’s notable achievements.
'The Open Sea' | Every exhibit in this gallery is iconic. From the entrance Sardine ring overhead, to the “Drifter’s Gallery” full of Jellies that revolutionized Jelly husbandry, to the 1.2 million gallon main tank that is most famous for holding multiple Great White Sharks successfully (in terms of catch and release), Sunfish, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, and so much more. (Fun fact: The Aquarium doesn’t keep Bluefin Tuna anymore because their speed was so powerful that during feeding times, when they were most active, it’d cause currents so strong that it’d damage the tiles that line the tank. I was told that by someone I know who used to work at the Aquarium).
The lighting here is dim to set the tone, letting each tank shine with the blue backgrounds to make it look endless.
‘Entrance Ceiling Ring Tank’
'Into the Deep' | Opened in 2022, this exhibit holds a special place in my heart. This exhibit is how I was able to connect to most of the people I know on staff and get to see some MBA secrets. This exhibit was said to have a runtime of 8 years (so 2030 ending), but if it hopefully ends up like the Splash Zone & Coral Kingdom, it will stay as a permanent exhibit. And why wouldn’t it? Almost 30 years of research and development have gone into creating this exhibit, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it’s at least the most innovative aquarium exhibit in the country due to the new animal husbandry, engineering, design, and creativity that were unlocked. It's also a seamless transition for the bottom viewing of the 'Open Ocean' Tank, and a big hit with the public. There's been conflicting reports about whether it's still a limited-time exhibit or now permanent as were still waiting for an official word from the Aquarium. This is no doubt where the rarest animals in the aquarium are located, a lot of them either being on exhibit for the first time in the world, or the first time outside of Japan.
The gallery is split up into various zones that showcase the levels of the Deep-sea. Most of the species are found between 200 to 1,000 meters deep either in the Bay or from Japan. A goal of the Aquarium is to exhibit animals that are found beyond 1,000 meters, but due to the physiological logistics of the animals that live deeper than 1,000 meters, they will have to wait (but we can assume they’ll figure it out, given enough time).
Entering the gallery, you are also greeted by the bottom viewing level of the 'Open Ocean' tank. Along with a diorama that shows the Monterey Canyon where the Deep-sea animals are collected from, and more information about MBARI (the aquarium’s sister research institute) that works in collaboration to help collect the animals. After going through a room with large screens that show MBARI footage of wild Deep-sea animals, you enter:
‘The Midwater’ is home to arguably the rarest animals in the gallery. Even in Japan, they don’t work much with Deep-sea Jellies. A lot of these species are only on exhibit at MBA, and a good amount they’re actually culturing behind the scenes. The first tank, before you enter the main room is meant to exhibit animals that sometimes migrate towards the surface at night, meaning divers can come across them periodically. The species here rotate much more often than the rest of the exhibits since the Jelly team is always unlocking new species they’re able to care for. The rest of the tanks also have vertical migrator species, but usually exhibit species that are restricted to that 200 to 1,000 meter depth.
'Muddy Bottom Habitat' Tank (the largest tank in this area, a majority of the animals are unsigned as they come in either as hitchhikers or there's no exact ID for them. This tank will most likely never be rotated theme wise, but species do come and go)
'Coral Canyon' Tank
'Whalefall'
And that wraps it up for what I believe is the best Aquarium in the US. After hearing about the Splash Zone renovation coming up, it makes sense why there hasn't been a second special exhibition reveal yet since Into the Deep (plus with how much Into the Deep takes). With them overhauling what most consider the weakest part of the Aquarium by default, and with how much the staff I've heard talk about it are hyping it up, I'm really, really excited to see how they level up that area to MBA standards. 2026 is looking like a very, very intriguing year for the Aquarium (but then again, when is there a year where MBA isn't intriguing?
)
After almost a 3 year hiatus, I made the trip down and spent the last 2 days in the area. What I really love about the Aquarium and why I personally believe it's the best in the country is its location and history. Not only was it built from an old Sardine Cannery, but the area itself is also an amazing location, being right on the water with so much local wildlife to see right off of the Aquarium's back deck and in the surrounding areas compared to the other 2.
Those who are familiar with me know how much I love this place, so a Species List is obviously something I've been wanting to do for a while.
A lot of people like to divide the Aquarium up into 2 different sections: The left side and the ride side. The left side being mainly representative of animals you would find in the beaches, tidepools, inland reefs, and shallower depths of the bay. The left side being representative of what animals are found miles offshore, often in deeper waters and the vast open ocean. I normally like to start off with the left side of the aquarium first, then move onto the right side, so the list will be set up as such.
- Species in Green are those that are on exhibit, but not signed
- Species in Red are those that are signed, but not on exhibit / did not see
'The Kelp Forest' (Main Tank) | An icon of the Aquarium, this 333,000 Gallon, 28-feet-tall tank was the first successful system to grow live Kelp in an Aquarium. It's run completely off of natural sunlight, water pumped straight from the Bay, and a surge machine that provides the correct amount of flow. All these qualities combined create one of the most stunning exhibits you'll ever see. The third floor has a viewing area that lets you look into the top of the exhibit that demonstrates how it all works. I would say that Summer is the best time to view this tank, as that's normally when the Aquarium adds in a large school of Northern Anchovies that really top off the whole thing. This tank is also used as a grow out tank for the Leopard Sharks and Giant Sea Bass, who are usually born at the Aquarium, and then move onto the larger tank in the "Monterey Bay Habitats" gallery.
- Leopard Sharks (Triakis semifasciata)
- California Sheepheads (Bodianus pulcher) (Male and Female)
- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)
- Giant Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas)
- Kelp Bass (Paralabrax clathratus)
- Treefish (Sebastes serriceps)
- Black Rockfishes (Sebastes melanops)
- Blue Rockfishes (Sebastes mystinus)
- Gopher Rockfishes (Sebastes carnatus)
- Copper Rockfishes (Sebastes caurinus)
- Kelp Rockfishes (Sebastes atrovirens)
- Opaleyes (Girella nigricans)
- Blacksmiths (Chromis punctipinnis)
- Halfmoons (Medialuna californiensis)
- Rainbow Seaperches (Embiotoca caryi)
- Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
- Kelp Surfperches (Brachyistius frenatus)
- Xantic Sargos (Anisotremus davidsonii)
- Senioritas (wrasse) (Oxyjulis californica)
- Rock Wrasses (Halichoeres semicinctus)
- Northern Anchovies* (Engraulis mordax) (Seasonal for this tank, usually only mid Summer through early Fall)
- Jack Mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus) (apparently sometimes they’ll be mixed in with the Anchovies when they’re added to the tank and they let them live in here)
- California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
- Red Sea Urchins (Mesocentrotus franciscanus)
- Red Abalones (Haliotis rufescens)
- Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
- Southern Sea Palm (Eisenia arborea)
'Giant Pacific Octopus' | The Aquarium's GPO exhibits are a little unique compared to other GPO exhibits you normally see. They keep their GPO's with various invertebrates and fish, and the tanks are on the larger side than you normally see at other Aquariums. They also normally have 2 GPO's on exhibit at a time, while most other Aquariums have 1. There are some surprising rare gems in here besides the Octopuses
'GPO Tank 1'
- Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
- Rosy Rockfishes (Sebastes rosaceus)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata)
- California Sun Star (Rathbunaster californicus)
- Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
- Halfbanded Rockfishes (Sebastes semicinctus)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata)
- California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
'Main Tank'
- Broadnose Sevengill Sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) ((Just 1 of the 3 Aquariums with the species in the US, the other 2 being Aquarium of the Bay and Oregon Coast Aquarium) (Fun fact: They catch and release their Sevengills in San Francisco in the midpoint between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Prison since that is THE spot for Sevengills apparently)
- Leopard Sharks (Triakis semifasciata) (The adults live in this tank)
- Pacific Spiny Dogfish (Squalus suckleyi)
- Pacific Angelshark (Squatina californica)
- Big Skates (Beringraja binoculata)
- Bat Rays (Myliobatis californica)
- Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus)
- White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
- California Halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
- Striped Seabass (Morone saxatilis)
- Giant Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas)
- Boccaio Rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis)
- Cowcod (Rockfish) (Sebastes levis)
- Yellowtail Rockfish (Sebastes flavidus)
- Honeycomb Rockfish (Sebastes umbrosus)
- Flag Rockfish (Sebastes rubrivinctus)
- China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus)
- Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger)
- Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)
- White Seabass (Atractoscion nobilis)
- Jack Mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus)
- Black Perch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
- Red Gorgonians (Lophogorgia chilensis)
- Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
- Vermilion Rockfishes (Sebastes miniatus)
- Canary Rockfishes (Sebastes pinniger)
- China Rockfishes (Sebastes nebulosus)
- Rosy Rockfishes (Sebastes rosaceus)
- Copper Rockfishes (Sebastes caurinus)
- Flag Rockfishes (Sebastes rubrivinctus)
- Gopher Rockfishes (Sebastes carnatus)
- Yelloweye Rockfishes (Sebastes ruberrimus)
- Red Gorgonians (Lophogorgia chilensis)
- Painted Anemones (Urticina crassicornis)
- Wolf Eels (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
- Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus)
- Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Orange Puffball Sponges (Tethya aurantia)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Blackeye Goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii)
- Painted Greenling (Oxylebius pictus)
- Longfin Sculpin (Jordania zonope)
- Sailfin Sculpin (Nautichthys oculofasciatus)
- Grunt Sculpins (Rhamphocottus richardsonii)
- Orange Puffball Sponge (Tethya aurantia)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Pacific Blood Stars (Henricia leviuscula)
- Blackeye Goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Coralline Algae (Coralline sp.)
- Orange Puffball Sponge (Tethya aurantia)
- Spotted Red Anemone (Urticina lofotensis)
- Red Volcano Sponge (Acarnus erithacus)
- Lined Chiton (Tonicella lineata)
- Ida’s Miter (Atrimitra idae)
- Orange Cup Coral (Balanophyllia elegans)
- California Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus californicus)
- Chestnut Cowrie (Neobernaya spadicea)
- Strawberry Anemone (Corynactis californica)
- Carnivorous Chitons (Placiphorella velata)
- Skeleton Shrimps (Caprella spp.)
- Piddock Clams (Penitella penita)
- Sheep Crab (Loxorhynchus grandis)
- Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)
- Rosy Rockfish (Sebastes rosaceus)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Orange Puffball Sponges (Tethya aurantia)
- Spotted Red Anemones (Urticina lofotensis)
- Tube Anemones (Pachycerianthus fimbriatus) (I believe MBA was the first aquarium to breed the species, and now supplies other Aquariums in California with them)
- Big Skate (babies) (Beringraja binoculata)
- Orange Sea Pens (Ptilosarcus gurneyi)
- Spiny Sand Star (Astropecten armatus)
- Pacific Sanddabs (Citharichthys sordidus)
- Pacific Pompanos (Peprilus simillimus)
- Big Skate (Beringraja binoculata) (juvenile)
- Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus) (juvenile)
- Curlfin Turbots (Pleuronichthys decurrens)
- Lewis’s Moonsnail (Neverita lewisii)
- Spiny Sand Star (Astropecten armatus)
- Pacific Sand Dollars (Dendraster excentricus)
- Spiny Brittle Stars (Ophiothrix spiculata)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Spotted Cusk-eels (Chilara taylori)
- Fringehead (Neoclinus spp.)
- Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
- Walleye Surfperches (Hyperprosopon argenteum)
- Rainbow Seaperches (Hypsurus caryi)
- Pacific Sand Soles (Psettichthys melanostictus)
- Acorn Barnacles (Balanus sp.)
- California Mussels (Mytilus californianus)
- Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi)
- Blackeye Goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii)
- Vermilion Rockfish (Sebastes miniatus)
- Canary Rockfish (Sebastes pinniger)
- Bluebanded Ronquil (Rathbunella hypoplecta)
- Bay Blenny (Hypsoblennius gentilis)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Owl Limpets (Lottia gigantea)
- Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
- Giant Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata)
- Striped Shore Crab (Pachygrapsus crassipes)
- Scaled Worm Snails (Serpulorbis squamigerus)
- Reef Surfperch (Micrometrus aurora)
- Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
- Bat Star (Patiria miniata)
- Giant Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
- Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
- Orange Cup Coral (Balanophyllia elegans)
- Zebra Perch (Kyphosus azureus)
- Monkeyface Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus)
- Opaleyes (Girella nigricans) (juveniles)
- Crevice Kelpfish (Gibbonsia montereyensis)
- Hermit Crab (Pagurus spp.)
- Lined Chiton (Tonicella lineata)
- Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima)
- Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
- California Mussel (Mytilus californianus)
- Orange Cup Coral (Balanophyllia elegans)
- Feather Boa Kelp (Egregia menziesii)
- Hooked Slippersnail (Crepidula adunca)
- Brown Turban Snail (Tegula brunnea)
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiothrix spiculata)
- Red Turban Snail (Prmaulax gibberosus)
- Jeweled Top Snail (Calliostoma annulatum)
- Sea Lettuce (Ulva sp.)
- Black Turban Snail (Tegula funebralis)
- Hermit Crab (Pagurus spp.)
- Sea Lettuce (Ulva sp.)
- Acorn Barnacles (Balanus sp.)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Black Turban Snails (Tegula funebralis)
- Hermit Crabs (Pagurus spp.)
- California Mussels (Mytilus californianus)
- Moss Crab (Loxorhynchus crispatus)
- Top Snails (Calliostoma spp.)
- Black Turban Snail (Tegula funebralis)
- Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
- Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens)
- Gumboot Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri)
- various algaes and kelp
- Shiner Perches (Cymatogaster aggregata)
- Kelp Surf Perches (Brachyistius frenatus)
- Zebra Perches (Hermosilla azure)
- Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
- Monkeyface Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus)
- Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)
- various algaes and kelps
The rest of the gallery is also home to some of the more unique creatures on this side of the Aquarium as well.
Other exhibits within the gallery
- Fat Innkeeper Worms (Urechis unicinctus)
- Bay Ghost Shrimps (Callinassa californiensis)
- Bay Pipefishes (Syngnathus leptorhynchus)
- Dwarf Perches (Micrometrus minimus)
- Tubesnouts (Aulorhynchus flavidus)
- Threespine Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
- Hermit Crab (Pagurus spp.)
- Moonglow Anemone (Anthopleura artemisia)
- various algae and seagrasses
- Sand Crabs (Emerita analoga)
- American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana)
- Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus)
- Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
- Red Pharalope (Phalaropus fulicaria) (The only one in captivity I believe)
- Red-Necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) (The only one in captivity I believe)
- Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) (appears to be off exhibit)
- Black-Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
- Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
- Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)
- Red Knots (Calidris canutus)
- Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri)
- Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
- Shiner Perches (Cymatogaster aggregata) (In the right side wave area)
- Jacksmelts (Atherinopsis californiensis) (In the left side marsh area)
- Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) (In the right side wave area)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata) (In the right side wave area)
- various algaes and seagrass (both tanks)
- Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) (appears to be off exhibit)
- Bat Rays (Myliobatis californica)
- Shovelnose Guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus)
- Thornback Guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata)
- Haller's Round Ray (Urobatis halleri)
- Jacksmelts (Atherinopsis californiensis)
- Starry Flounder (Platichthys stellatus)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii)
- Threespine Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
- California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus)
- Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata)
- Threespine Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
- Sacramento Sucker (Catostomus occidentalis)
- Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda)
- Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
'Sea Otters' | One thing a lot of people bring up when talking about MBA is the fact that, compared to other aquariums of its size, it lacks marine mammals. While true, MBA’s Sea Otter program is so legendary and has revolutionized the scene that it doesn’t really matter if their collection is not as diverse. They were able to stick to one thing and be so good at it, that it changed the Sea Otter husbandry and care to what we have now in most AZA institutions. They’re also unique in that they keep a couple of other California native species with the Otters (all species you could find in the Kelp Forest tank, but it is nice to see).
- Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) (There are 4 females on exhibit permanently: Opal, Ruby, Ivy, and Selka)
- Kelp Bass (Paralabrax clathratus)
- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)
- Black Rockfish (Sebastes melanops)
- Black and Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
- Black Perch (Embiotoca jacksoni)
- (The kelp in here is fake)
'Splash Zone and Penguins' | What is pretty much the Aquarium's kid zone, it's home to the only tropical reef tanks in the entire Aquarium. Famously known for originally being a temporary exhibit but got so much attention, they decided to make it permanent, it recently reached it's 25th year anniversary.
Due to that, the gallery has definitely started to show it's age. And very excitingly just the other day, the Husbandry Operations Project Manager confirmed a massive renovation is happening early next year (with plans of wrapping up late next year it sounds like) with tons of new work and species on the way. It's almost by default the Aquarium's weakest gallery (not that it's bad, just nothing mind blowing like the rest of the Aquarium) and this renovation is sounding like it will put it on par with the rest of the galleries. It sounds like they're going heavy with the tropical species for this renovation. I can't wait to see it.
'Coral Kingdom' (A hallway of various reef tanks home to the Aquarium's only tropical species, this area is getting the most work done in the renovation with a 5 to 6,000 gallon, 30ft long reef tank being one of the main showpieces of the upcoming renovation)
- Orange Ocellaris Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
- Black Darwin Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris variant)
- Pink Anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion)
- Bubbletip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor)
- Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
- Blue Hippo Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
- Blue Sapphire Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)
- Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
- Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
- Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus uspi)
- Squarespot Anthias (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)
- Scopas Tang (Zebrasoma scopas)
- Threespot Dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus)
- Gold Rim Tang (Acanthurus japonicus)
- Azure Damselfish (Chrysiptera hemicyanea)
- Lemon Chromis (Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis)
- Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
- Galaxy Corals (Galaxea sp.)
- Monti Cap Corals (Montipora capricornis)
- Yellow Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)
- Bluegreen Chromis (Chromis viridis)
- Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)
- Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
- Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis)
- Bartlett’s Anthias (Pseudanthias bartletti)
- Gold Band Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea)
- Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia)
- Blue-Spotted Wrasse (Anampses caeruleopunctatus)
- Three-Spot Dasycllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) (including an aberrant individual who's face is completely white)
- Whitetail Dascyllus (Dascyllus aruanus)
- Bicolor Chromis (Pycnochromis margaritifer)
- Purple Queen Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka)
- Bluehead Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura)
- Talbot’s Damsel (Chrysiptera talboti)
- Cortez Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis)
- Bluethroat Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)
- Bristle-tail Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)
- Yellow-Spotted Moray Eel (Echidna xanthospilos)
- Snowflake Moray Eel (Echidna nebulosa)
- Zebra Moray Eel (Gymnomuraena zebra)
- Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
- Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus)
- Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
- Orange Sun Corals (Tubastraea coccinea)
- Black Sun Corals (Tubastraea diaphana)
- Fuzzy Carrot Coral (Paraminabea aldersladei) (All the way in the back, it might be one of, if not the only colony in a public aquarium since they’re still new to the US. Was added 2 years ago via someone I know on staff)
- Striped Shrimpfish / Razorfishes (Aeoliscus strigatus)
- Bristle-tail Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)
- (various gorgonians and soft corals)
- Fluted Giant Clam (Tridacna squamosa)
- Smooth Giant Clam (Tridacna derasa)
- Purple Tang (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
- Blackbar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata)
- Pajama Cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
- Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loricula)
- Springeri Damselfish (Chrysiptera springeri)
- Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
- Bristle-tail Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus)
- (various corals)
- Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
- (various corals)
- Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus)
- Long-spined Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum)
- (various corals)
- Crevice kelpfish (Gibbonsia montereyensis)
- Monkeyface Prickleback (Cebidichthys violaceus)
- Reef Surfperches (Micrometrus aurora)
- White-spotted Rose Anemone (Urticina eques)
- Giant Green Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
- Hermit Crab (Pagurus spp.)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata)
- Rockweed (genus Silvetia)
- Northern Clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus)
- (various kelp and algae)
- Leaping Blennies (Alticus saliens)
- African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)
- San Diego Dorid (Diaulula sandiegensis)
- Noble Sea Lemon (Peltodoris nobilis)
- Yellow-edged Sea Slug (Cadlina luteomarginata)
- Clown Dorid (Triopha catalinae)
- Orange Puffball Sponges (Tethya aurantium)
- (various algaes)
- California Morays (Gymnothorax mordax)
- California Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus interruptus)
- (the Kelp is fake)
Northern Anchovies (Engraulis mordax)
‘Seaweed Gardens’ (All the fish species in this tank are babies that are found either as eggs or already hatched in the main exhibits)
- Blacksmiths (Chromis punctipinnis)
- Salemas (Xenistius californiensis)
- Opaleyes {Rudderfish} (Girella nigricans)
- Señoritas (Oxyjulis californica)
- Sea Lettuce (genus Ulva)
- Surfgrass (genus Phyllospadix)
- "Turkish Towel” (Chondracanthus corymbiferus)
- Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis)
- Salemas (Xenistius californiensis)
- Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus)
- Giant Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus)
- Kelp Perches (Brachyistius frenatus)
- Opaleye (Girella nigricans)
- Señorita (Oxyjulis californica)
- Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus)
- Northern Kelp Crab (?) (Pugettia producta?, it's just signed as "Kelp Crab")
- Giant Kelp fronds (Macrocystis pyrifera)
- Lion’s Mane Nudibranchs (Melibe leonina)
- East Pacific Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens) (I can see the Nudibranchs moving from the 'Splash Zone' to this exhibit, and moving the octopus somewhere else as this tank is too small IMO, at least for the current octopus)
- Catalina Gobies (Lythrypnus dalli)
- Orange Puffball Sponge (Tethya aurantium)
- Red Volcano Sponge (Acarnus erithacus)
- Red Gorgonians (Lophogorgia chilensis)
- Giant Rock Scallops (Crassadoma gigantea)
- Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
- Swell Shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum)
- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci)
- Black and Yellow Rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas)
- Blue Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus)
- Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
- California Moray (Gymnothorax mordax)
- California Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus californicus)
- China Rockfish (Sebastes nebulosus)
- Copper Rockfish (Sebastes caurinus)
- Fish-eating Anemone (Urticina piscivora)
- Kelp Rockfish (Sebastes atrovirens)
- Orange Puffball Sponge (Tethya aurantium)
- Painted Greenling (Oxylebius pictus)
- Xantic Sargo (Diplodus sargus)
- Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
- Southern Sea Palm (Eisenia arborea)
- Salemas (Xenistius californiensis)
- Blacksmiths (juveniles) (Chromis punctipinnis)
- Jeweled Top Snails (Calliostoma annulatum) (kind of funny how I've never seen them in this tank but managed to spot one in the tank where they're unsigned on my first walkthrough)
- (the kelp in here is fake)
Crossing the bridge, you get to see a nice view of the bay, a somewhat clear view of the Sea Otters, and then a couple more interactive conservation message exhibits. Then this is where you enter the Open Sea wing, home to many of the Aquarium’s notable achievements.
'The Open Sea' | Every exhibit in this gallery is iconic. From the entrance Sardine ring overhead, to the “Drifter’s Gallery” full of Jellies that revolutionized Jelly husbandry, to the 1.2 million gallon main tank that is most famous for holding multiple Great White Sharks successfully (in terms of catch and release), Sunfish, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, and so much more. (Fun fact: The Aquarium doesn’t keep Bluefin Tuna anymore because their speed was so powerful that during feeding times, when they were most active, it’d cause currents so strong that it’d damage the tiles that line the tank. I was told that by someone I know who used to work at the Aquarium).
The lighting here is dim to set the tone, letting each tank shine with the blue backgrounds to make it look endless.
‘Entrance Ceiling Ring Tank’
- Pacific Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus)
- Pacific Mackerel (Scomber australasicus)
- Purple Striped Sea Nettles (Chrysaora colorata)
- Cross Jellies (Mitrocoma cellularia)
- Egg-yolk Jellies (Phacellophora camtschatica)
- Spotted Comb Jellies (Leucothea pulchra)
- Greater Moon Jellies (Aurelia labiata)
- Pacific Sea Nettles (Chrysaora fuscescens) (Probably the most famous tank in the gallery due to it’s size)
- Greater Moon Jellies (juveniles) (Aurelia labiata)
- Purple Striped Sea Nettles (juveniles) (Chrysaora colorata) (This tank is meant to exhibit smaller, plankton like species so it's pretty surprising they're in here)
- Red-eyed Medusa Jellies (Polyorchis pencillatus) (In the other plankton tank)
- Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna lewini) (3 females)
- Pelagic Stingrays (Pteroplatytrygon violacea)
- Yellowfin Tunas (Thunnus albacares) (Only North American holder)
- Mahi-Mahi / Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus)
- Eastern Pacific Bonito (Sarda chiliensis) (Only global holder afaik)
- Pacific Sardines (Sardinops sagax caeruleus)
- Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) (2 of them)
- Northern Anchovies (Engraulis mordax)
- Pelagic Red Crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes)
- Bat Sea Stars (Patiria miniata)
- Un-ID'd Anemone species
- Common Murres (Uria aalge)
- Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata)
'Into the Deep' | Opened in 2022, this exhibit holds a special place in my heart. This exhibit is how I was able to connect to most of the people I know on staff and get to see some MBA secrets. This exhibit was said to have a runtime of 8 years (so 2030 ending), but if it hopefully ends up like the Splash Zone & Coral Kingdom, it will stay as a permanent exhibit. And why wouldn’t it? Almost 30 years of research and development have gone into creating this exhibit, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to say it’s at least the most innovative aquarium exhibit in the country due to the new animal husbandry, engineering, design, and creativity that were unlocked. It's also a seamless transition for the bottom viewing of the 'Open Ocean' Tank, and a big hit with the public. There's been conflicting reports about whether it's still a limited-time exhibit or now permanent as were still waiting for an official word from the Aquarium. This is no doubt where the rarest animals in the aquarium are located, a lot of them either being on exhibit for the first time in the world, or the first time outside of Japan.
The gallery is split up into various zones that showcase the levels of the Deep-sea. Most of the species are found between 200 to 1,000 meters deep either in the Bay or from Japan. A goal of the Aquarium is to exhibit animals that are found beyond 1,000 meters, but due to the physiological logistics of the animals that live deeper than 1,000 meters, they will have to wait (but we can assume they’ll figure it out, given enough time).
Entering the gallery, you are also greeted by the bottom viewing level of the 'Open Ocean' tank. Along with a diorama that shows the Monterey Canyon where the Deep-sea animals are collected from, and more information about MBARI (the aquarium’s sister research institute) that works in collaboration to help collect the animals. After going through a room with large screens that show MBARI footage of wild Deep-sea animals, you enter:
‘The Midwater’ is home to arguably the rarest animals in the gallery. Even in Japan, they don’t work much with Deep-sea Jellies. A lot of these species are only on exhibit at MBA, and a good amount they’re actually culturing behind the scenes. The first tank, before you enter the main room is meant to exhibit animals that sometimes migrate towards the surface at night, meaning divers can come across them periodically. The species here rotate much more often than the rest of the exhibits since the Jelly team is always unlocking new species they’re able to care for. The rest of the tanks also have vertical migrator species, but usually exhibit species that are restricted to that 200 to 1,000 meter depth.
- Sea Angels (Clione spp.) (Likely Clione limacina, but they're just signed as Clione spp, which makes me wonder if we'll ever see some of those Japanese species on exhibit in the future. Normally they're only exhibited in Spring when they come into the Bay, but this year they're reaching the 7 month mark which is the longest they've been on exhibit)
- Bloody Belly Comb Jellies (Lampocteis cruentiventer) (The exhibit poster child species, culturing them is one of the biggest dreams for the Jelly team since these are never being taken off exhibit. They've reached new longevity records with keeping them, it's just a matter of getting them to spawn)
- Red-spot Crown Jellies (Nausithoe sp.) (A new, undescribed species from Hawaii. These have been a staple of the gallery since they've been cultured for about 2 years now which is incredible. MBARI is working on describing them)
- Abyssal Comb Jellies (Beroe abyssicola) (While they're found in the Bay, this population should be from Japan if they're the same ones from when I last visited. This was the vision for the large cylinder tank when it was in development which explains why they've been on exhibit for 2 years now in the same tank, and I don't blame them, it does look really nice)
- Short Lobed Comb Jellies (Bolinopsis microptera) (Typically used as a "place holder" species when they aren't ready to exhibit a new species, since these are cultured as food for the other Jellies)
- Common Siphonophores (Nanomia septata) (Another world first for MBA as they've been culturing the species since before the exhibit opened. It was previously thought to be Nanomia bijuga, but earlier this year, was split a part and named Nanomia septata, and they're now signed as such)
- Purple Lipped Jellies (Earlaria pupurea) (Another staple of the exhibit as they've been on exhibit for nearly 3 full years now in the same tank, they're cultured by the Jelly team and they are nice in big numbers, I just kind of wish something new took their spot)
- “Red X” Undescribed Comb Jellies (Order Cydippida) (One of the most intriguing species as it's completely undescribed, not even a genus placement yet. It's named after the faint white "X" on the top of it's body, it's essentially a red colored Sea Gooseberry if you were to describe it's appearance. Hopefully we'll see it get described within Into the Deep's runtime)
'Muddy Bottom Habitat' Tank (the largest tank in this area, a majority of the animals are unsigned as they come in either as hitchhikers or there's no exact ID for them. This tank will most likely never be rotated theme wise, but species do come and go)
- Flytrap Anemones (Actinoscyphia sp.)
- Apple Anemones (Stomphia didemon)
- Mushroom Soft Corals (Heteropolypus ritteri)
- Deep-Sea Carnation Corals (Gersemia juliepackardae)
- Snakehead Eelpouts (Lycenchelys crotalinus)
- Squat Lobster (Mundia sp.)
- Droopy Sea Pens (Umbellula sp.)
- Tall Sea Pens (Funiculina sp.)
- Halipteris Sea Pens (Halipteris sp.)
- Red Sea Fans (Swiftia kofoidi)
- Neptunea Snails (Neptunea sp.)
- Armored Sea Cucumbers (Psolus squamatus)
- Branched Tree Coral (Parastenella ramosa)
- Deep-Sea Brachiopod (Brachiopod species) (Whether they're alive or not, I'm not sure but there's a couple in here)
- Deep-Sea Mushroom Anemone (Corallimorph species) (a light red base and really dark red tentacles)
- Un-ID'd Sea Star species
- Predatory Tunicates (Megalodicopia hians) (The aquarium is actually in the process of culturing them right now, according to MBARI)
- Fire Star / Brisingid Star (Hymenodiscus sp.)
- Feather Stars (Florometra serratissima)
- Red Rope Corals (Callistephanus simplex)
- Deep-Sea Sole (Embassichthys bathybius)
- Armored Sea Cucumbers (Psolus squamatus)
- Deep-Sea Brachiopod (Brachiopod species)
- Red Sea Fans (Swiftia kofoidi)
- Japanese Sea Spiders (Ascorhynchus japonicum)
- Pom Pom Anemones (Liponema brevicornis)
- Japanese Porcupine Crabs (Paralomis histrix)
'Coral Canyon' Tank
- Bubblegum Corals (Paragorgia arborea)
- Deep-Sea Cauliflower Corals (Sibogagorgia cauliflora)
- Shaggy Bamboo Corals (Isidella tentaculum)
- Red Sea Fans (Swiftia kofoidi)
- Branched Tree Coral (Parastenella ramosa)
- Mushroom Soft Corals (Heteropolypus ritteri)
- Deep-Sea Brittlestars (Amphiodia urtica)
- Un-ID'd Sea Star species
- Basket Stars (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis) (The biggest ones I've ever seen)
- Flytrap Anemones (Actinoscyphia sp.)
- Thornyhead species (Sebastolobus sp.) (I believe this one used to be in the Red Rope Coral tank, but it was moved here. Working on an ID)
- Lumpfishes (Cyclopterus lumpus)
'Whalefall'
- Australian Ghost Sharks (Callorhinchus milii) (the only 2 in North America)
- Japanese Spider Crabs (Macrocheira kaempferi)
- Pacific Barrelfish (Hyperoglyphe japonica) (the only one outside of Japan, however I didn't see any glimpse of it, though I'm chalking it up to it just being reclusive since it's still fairly new)
- Japanese Armorheads (Pentaceros japonicus)
- Longspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus altivelis)
- Shortspine Thornyhead (Sebastolobus alascanus)
- Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
- Giant Isopods (Bathynomus giganteus) (was hoping they'd mix them with B. doederleini again, the Japanese/Pink Giant Isopods)
- Pacific Hagfishes (Eptatretus stoutii)
And that wraps it up for what I believe is the best Aquarium in the US. After hearing about the Splash Zone renovation coming up, it makes sense why there hasn't been a second special exhibition reveal yet since Into the Deep (plus with how much Into the Deep takes). With them overhauling what most consider the weakest part of the Aquarium by default, and with how much the staff I've heard talk about it are hyping it up, I'm really, really excited to see how they level up that area to MBA standards. 2026 is looking like a very, very intriguing year for the Aquarium (but then again, when is there a year where MBA isn't intriguing?
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