Myself and AgileGibbon visited Blue Planet Aquarium today after a very last minute cancellation to a proposed Dudley trip due to the bad weather. We've both been before but separately as children, and since it's one of the nearest collections to us we felt we really should have done it in recent years. Overall I was impressed with the collection, but at £15.50 each then I don't think it is quite the value it could be. I'll break this review down by the different areas/rooms as advertised on the map:
1. Southern Streams
The first area you come into is Southern Streams, with the main feature being a multi-species tank. This is particularly interesting for the underwater viewing of tufted ducks. The only fish species I remember for this was the rainbow trout as didn't have long to make notes, and the ducks got our attention more. I'm pretty certain there was carp, and I think there may have been bream and perch. It's a nice entrance into the aquarium, and underwater for diving ducks is certainly interesting.
Tropical Rivers
The concept of Tropical Rivers is one used throughout every aquarium I seem to go into, but if I went into a large aquarium that didn't have a tropical area I'd miss it. Some nice species in here, including the typical piranahs, pacus, electric eels and red-tail catfish. Some other species included red-eyed crocodile skink, green tree monitors, mission golden-eyed treefrogs and marbled hatchetfish, amongst others. Again, a nice area that seemed well themed and had some nice exhibits.
Lake Malawi
This exhibit was as expected, a large tank for a nice sized group of Lake Malawi cichlids [varying species]. A very bright and colourful display and seemed effective enough.
Amphibians
One of my favourite sections of the aquarium was for a nice collection of frogs and toads. Species include dyeing, blue, phantasmal, green-and-black, reticulated and golden dart frogs [most if not all in good sized groups and enclosures], golden mantellas, Sambavo tomato frogs, bumblebee toads and cane toads. Also in this area were giant day geckos and a veiled chameleon.
Swamp
After going downstairs, the first area focuses on swamps, with Cuvier's dwarf caimans, archerfish and four-eyed fish. Nice species, and there was more I can't recall.
Rocky Shores, Coral Cave and other bits prior to shark tunnel
We didn't spend too long around here due to crowds so will collate the info for a few areas, but some species I recall were plaice, common lobster, starfish, Atlantic wolf fish, pot-bellied seahorse, guineafowl pufferfish, regal tangs and some of the other species typical of both exhibit types. Unfortunately, the giant pacific octopus was off-show.
Shark Tunnel
This was filled with some very nice species, including sand tiger, nurse, lemon, leopard and zebra sharks, a large group of Crevalle Jacks, southern stingray, guitarfish, azure parrotfish and a fair bit more I can't remember. I really liked this, probably the best shark tunnel in the UK, but I think the signage could be improved. With so many similar looking species, then it would have been better IMO to highlight the key differences [some are listed, but generally it was traits that juvenilles had that were listed]. We had some trouble telling apart the lemon and sand tiger sharks in particular.
Venom
This again was a nice section, split into three sections: Water has species such as moon jellyfish, sea nettle jellyfish [didn't see these], lionfish and stonefish. Bugs were represented by assassin bugs, scorpions and a large number of spiders, and then for reptiles there were desert horned viper, white-lipped viper, Rio Fuerte beaded lizards and a pink eyelash viper. This again was nice and was one of our favourite sections.
There were also exhibits outdoors for Asian small-clawed otters and Canadian otters.
It was interesting seeing both of these in neighbouring exhibits as it was interesting to see the differences between the two species. Didn't stay outside for too long due to the weather. I've probably missed an awful lot as we didn't have long there, and coupled with large crowds we rushed through a few bits on the promise that we'd go again on a day when it might be a bit quieter. I don't think they need to add anything really [though sea turtles and manatees would be nice
] but I think that £15.50 is possibly a bit steep for what it is. Photos going in the gallery, and hopefully I'll be able to provide a more in-depth report next time 
1. Southern Streams
The first area you come into is Southern Streams, with the main feature being a multi-species tank. This is particularly interesting for the underwater viewing of tufted ducks. The only fish species I remember for this was the rainbow trout as didn't have long to make notes, and the ducks got our attention more. I'm pretty certain there was carp, and I think there may have been bream and perch. It's a nice entrance into the aquarium, and underwater for diving ducks is certainly interesting.
Tropical Rivers
The concept of Tropical Rivers is one used throughout every aquarium I seem to go into, but if I went into a large aquarium that didn't have a tropical area I'd miss it. Some nice species in here, including the typical piranahs, pacus, electric eels and red-tail catfish. Some other species included red-eyed crocodile skink, green tree monitors, mission golden-eyed treefrogs and marbled hatchetfish, amongst others. Again, a nice area that seemed well themed and had some nice exhibits.
Lake Malawi
This exhibit was as expected, a large tank for a nice sized group of Lake Malawi cichlids [varying species]. A very bright and colourful display and seemed effective enough.
Amphibians
One of my favourite sections of the aquarium was for a nice collection of frogs and toads. Species include dyeing, blue, phantasmal, green-and-black, reticulated and golden dart frogs [most if not all in good sized groups and enclosures], golden mantellas, Sambavo tomato frogs, bumblebee toads and cane toads. Also in this area were giant day geckos and a veiled chameleon.
Swamp
After going downstairs, the first area focuses on swamps, with Cuvier's dwarf caimans, archerfish and four-eyed fish. Nice species, and there was more I can't recall.
Rocky Shores, Coral Cave and other bits prior to shark tunnel
We didn't spend too long around here due to crowds so will collate the info for a few areas, but some species I recall were plaice, common lobster, starfish, Atlantic wolf fish, pot-bellied seahorse, guineafowl pufferfish, regal tangs and some of the other species typical of both exhibit types. Unfortunately, the giant pacific octopus was off-show.
Shark Tunnel
This was filled with some very nice species, including sand tiger, nurse, lemon, leopard and zebra sharks, a large group of Crevalle Jacks, southern stingray, guitarfish, azure parrotfish and a fair bit more I can't remember. I really liked this, probably the best shark tunnel in the UK, but I think the signage could be improved. With so many similar looking species, then it would have been better IMO to highlight the key differences [some are listed, but generally it was traits that juvenilles had that were listed]. We had some trouble telling apart the lemon and sand tiger sharks in particular.
Venom
This again was a nice section, split into three sections: Water has species such as moon jellyfish, sea nettle jellyfish [didn't see these], lionfish and stonefish. Bugs were represented by assassin bugs, scorpions and a large number of spiders, and then for reptiles there were desert horned viper, white-lipped viper, Rio Fuerte beaded lizards and a pink eyelash viper. This again was nice and was one of our favourite sections.
There were also exhibits outdoors for Asian small-clawed otters and Canadian otters.
It was interesting seeing both of these in neighbouring exhibits as it was interesting to see the differences between the two species. Didn't stay outside for too long due to the weather. I've probably missed an awful lot as we didn't have long there, and coupled with large crowds we rushed through a few bits on the promise that we'd go again on a day when it might be a bit quieter. I don't think they need to add anything really [though sea turtles and manatees would be nice
] but I think that £15.50 is possibly a bit steep for what it is. Photos going in the gallery, and hopefully I'll be able to provide a more in-depth report next time
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