Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium

[brown bear 555]

On July 24th, the aquarium announced that they moved 5+ striped surfperches into the sea otter exhibit.

although this sounds interesting I am wondering how long this will last, because having a fish in an exhibit with FISH-EATING otters may not sound good.

I remember that a couple years ago, the Milwaukee County Zoo was at a phase where they used the current giant Pacific octopus tank as a fish tank for an unknown species of fish, anemones, and starfish. and then when they did get a new giant Pacific octopus probably a few months into having it, I asked a zookeeper what happened to the fish, and he said that they were eaten by the octopus. so give it as long as possible but I do not think having fish paired with a fish-eating predator will last long, the one thing that I could understand and would wish to sea in alot of sea otter exhibits is if they could use either actual live kelp instead of fake rope-mimics or add more kelp so they could emulate an actual kelp forest

 

[Ebirah766]

although this sounds interesting I am wondering how long this will last, because having a fish in an exhibit with FISH-EATING otters may not sound good.

I remember that a couple years ago, the Milwaukee County Zoo was at a phase where they used the current giant Pacific octopus tank as a fish tank for an unknown species of fish, anemones, and starfish. and then when they did get a new giant Pacific octopus probably a few months into having it, I asked a zookeeper what happened to the fish, and he said that they were eaten by the octopus. so give it as long as possible but I do not think having fish paired with a fish-eating predator will last long, the one thing that I could understand and would wish to sea in alot of sea otter exhibits is if they could use either actual live kelp instead of fake rope-mimics or add more kelp so they could emulate an actual kelp forest

Surfperches are bigger than what sea otters normally eat

 

[Persephone]

although this sounds interesting I am wondering how long this will last, because having a fish in an exhibit with FISH-EATING otters may not sound good.

I remember that a couple years ago, the Milwaukee County Zoo was at a phase where they used the current giant Pacific octopus tank as a fish tank for an unknown species of fish, anemones, and starfish. and then when they did get a new giant Pacific octopus probably a few months into having it, I asked a zookeeper what happened to the fish, and he said that they were eaten by the octopus. so give it as long as possible but I do not think having fish paired with a fish-eating predator will last long, the one thing that I could understand and would wish to sea in alot of sea otter exhibits is if they could use either actual live kelp instead of fake rope-mimics or add more kelp so they could emulate an actual kelp forest

Mixing fish with fish-eating predators is so common in public aquaria that I don’t think you could find an aquarium that doesn’t do it. Of course, usually the predator is another fish species. There is a difference between the scenarios outlined, though.

The giant pacific octopus is a highly intelligent obligate carnivore that will treat any small prey as normal food and particularly large prey as a puzzle. They love puzzles. The AZA care manual for the species says that any mixed species enclosure is at best an “uneasy truce.”

The vast majority of a wild sea otter’s diet is made up of marine invertebrates. Some fish, yes, but mostly slow-moving, decently armored inverts that take a little wit to crack. Large fish aren’t on the menu and are usually left alone. My bigger concern with the mix isn’t predation so much as the fairly small exhibit not allowing much space for the perch to get away from the fairly energetic otters swimming nearby.

 

[Coelacanth18]

Monterey Bay and Aquarium of the Pacific both mix fish and sea otters in the same enclosure. Seems to be a decently common / well-established practice.

At least for southern sea otter populations, fish are not really part of their diet anyway - they mainly eat invertebrates, like urchins and abalones.

 

[MidwestFan]

Loke, former lag at Miami, has died at Shedd. Both Loke and her son (Elelo) that were moved to Shedd from less than ideal conditions at Miami have have died. I wish they could have been moved out of there sooner for a better chance. They had been in the back in the small and crumbling Pompano Pools. I recall reading that Elelo had concrete in his stomach at one point.

Log in to Facebook

 

[brown bear 555]

who is loke is he a pacific white-sided dolphin?

 

[MidwestFan]

who is loke is he a pacific white-sided dolphin?

Yes, lag is short for scientific name for PWSD.

 

[tiger stingray]

Wonder of Water, the replacement of the Caribbean Reef in the Rotunda, opens next week. There is a video on the Shedd's facebook page of ballerinas dance in front of it. The video of the wonder of water starts after one minute in Wild Reef.

 

[CMP]

Wonder of Water, the replacement of the Caribbean Reef in the Rotunda, opens next week. There is a video on the Shedd's facebook page of ballerinas dance in front of it. The video of the wonder of water starts after one minute in Wild Reef.

Chicago Hispanic Newspaper, Lawndale News, Hispanic Bilingual Newspapers, Su Noticiero Bilingue » Shedd Aquarium’s Wonder of Water Exhibit Opens

"For the third time in Shedd Aquarium’s nearly 100-year history, the iconic rotunda space is evolving into the Wonder of Water exhibit – a gallery that sets the tone for the Shedd experience for the next century. Opening on Tuesday, Dec. 10th, guests can stand at the heart of the aquarium between two distinctly rich environments to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of life beneath the water’s surface. Side by side, guests will see the distinct differences and surprising similarities between fresh and saltwater environments."

I don't want to be so pessimistic, but if this is the tone for the 'Shedd experience for the next century' it sounds like that tone will be major disappointment. Compare the pictures of the new exhibit to what once was. It looks to me like one of the greatest standalone aquarium exhibits was literally gutted and replaced with quite literally a shell of its former self.

That does sound very harsh and pessimistic, but when you know what used to stand there, I think you'd be hard pressed not to feel a tinge of this opinion. I'm almost certainly being too harsh, and hope this change warms on me, but this is my raw initial reaction.

I'll have to revisit this take the next time I'm at Shedd, to get the full in-person experience, but the way things are currently, that might not be for a little while.

RIP Caribbean Reef

 

[USZOOfan42]

Chicago Hispanic Newspaper, Lawndale News, Hispanic Bilingual Newspapers, Su Noticiero Bilingue » Shedd Aquarium’s Wonder of Water Exhibit Opens

"For the third time in Shedd Aquarium’s nearly 100-year history, the iconic rotunda space is evolving into the Wonder of Water exhibit – a gallery that sets the tone for the Shedd experience for the next century. Opening on Tuesday, Dec. 10th, guests can stand at the heart of the aquarium between two distinctly rich environments to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of life beneath the water’s surface. Side by side, guests will see the distinct differences and surprising similarities between fresh and saltwater environments."

I don't want to be so pessimistic, but if this is the tone for the 'Shedd experience for the next century' it sounds like that tone will be major disappointment. Compare the pictures of the new exhibit to what once was. It looks to me like one of the greatest standalone aquarium exhibits was literally gutted and replaced with quite literally a shell of its former self.

That does sound very harsh and pessimistic, but when you know what used to stand there, I think you'd be hard pressed not to feel a tinge of this opinion. I'm almost certainly being too harsh, and hope this change warms on me, but this is my raw initial reaction.

I'll have to revisit this take the next time I'm at Shedd, to get the full in-person experience, but the way things are currently, that might not be for a little while.

RIP Caribbean Reef

As chicagos number 1 hater (joke, perhaps that thanos meme is perfect for this ) I am severely disappointed. Out of the three Chicago facilities I found shedd to be the most overrated (still kinda do). And this tank was my favorite of the aquarium. I love immersive exhibits when I’m at zoos or aquarium (Polk Penguin Center, everything at Omaha, Sea World’s arctic thing, DAK’s Asia trail, Columbus as a whole, etc) and this one felt unique compared to the aquarium’s other habitats, the only part of shedd I liked was the history and the historic tanks and architecture. What are in these new “modern” tanks?

 

[birdsandbats]

Chicago Hispanic Newspaper, Lawndale News, Hispanic Bilingual Newspapers, Su Noticiero Bilingue » Shedd Aquarium’s Wonder of Water Exhibit Opens

"For the third time in Shedd Aquarium’s nearly 100-year history, the iconic rotunda space is evolving into the Wonder of Water exhibit – a gallery that sets the tone for the Shedd experience for the next century. Opening on Tuesday, Dec. 10th, guests can stand at the heart of the aquarium between two distinctly rich environments to immerse themselves in the biodiversity of life beneath the water’s surface. Side by side, guests will see the distinct differences and surprising similarities between fresh and saltwater environments."

I don't want to be so pessimistic, but if this is the tone for the 'Shedd experience for the next century' it sounds like that tone will be major disappointment. Compare the pictures of the new exhibit to what once was. It looks to me like one of the greatest standalone aquarium exhibits was literally gutted and replaced with quite literally a shell of its former self.

That does sound very harsh and pessimistic, but when you know what used to stand there, I think you'd be hard pressed not to feel a tinge of this opinion. I'm almost certainly being too harsh, and hope this change warms on me, but this is my raw initial reaction.

I'll have to revisit this take the next time I'm at Shedd, to get the full in-person experience, but the way things are currently, that might not be for a little while.

RIP Caribbean Reef

Caribbean Reef was good enough I would have gladly spent a few bucks for admission just to it, and I easily could spend an hour or so there. I hate to judge the replacement just from these photos but this new one is looking really lame.

 

[Ebirah766]

As chicagos number 1 hater (joke, perhaps that thanos meme is perfect for this ) I am severely disappointed. Out of the three Chicago facilities I found shedd to be the most overrated (still kinda do). And this tank was my favorite of the aquarium. I love immersive exhibits when I’m at zoos or aquarium (Polk Penguin Center, everything at Omaha, Sea World’s arctic thing, DAK’s Asia trail, Columbus as a whole, etc) and this one felt unique compared to the aquarium’s other habitats, the only part of shedd I liked was the history and the historic tanks and architecture. What are in these new “modern” tanks?

Shedd is decisively not overrated...

 

[tiger stingray]

I loved the Caribbean Reef. I am disappointed that it is gone. With that being said I don't hate this new exhibit and in fact, so far from pictures and especially the facebook video, I like it. The two tanks are kidney shaped so they don't photograph well from the front. Watch the video of the dancers. The tanks are very tall compared to the ballerinas. I believe the water levels are higher above the floor than the Caribbean Reef. What are in the tanks? That is an important question. Obviously they are smaller fish. Are they beautiful fish? When we see this is person will these tanks be giant versions of the Underwater Beauty exhibit that recently closed at Shedd? Even if this is a downgrade it is not nearly as bad as what they could have done to this fantastic rotunda. I can imagine countless worse scenarios. Now with regards to what the two completed exhibits mean for future exhibits at Shedd. The Amazon Rising appears to have been upgrade to one of the best aquarium exhibits anywhere. This exhibit, although a downgrade, appears to be interesting and possibly very interesting. I am optimistic for the new Caribbean Reef tunnel because it will be bigger than the old Caribbean Reef tank and have a couple of new large charismatic species (goliath grouper and eagle ray). A quick comment about immersive exhibits and Shedd being overrated. I would argue the Oceanarium, in particular the views from the Stadium of the belugas and dolphins in the infinity pool with the back drop to Lake Michigan is one of the greatest and unique zoo exhibits in the world.

 

[pachyderm pro]

My initial impressions are largely similar to @tiger stingray. The rotunda was so iconic that anything replacing it was going to suffer by comparison. By themselves however, these tanks look very nice. I'll have to stop by in a few weeks to see it for myself, although from the provided photos it definitely isn't as grandiose as it's predecessor.

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

Also keep in mind once the plants grow in more and the coral gets established, this exhibit will only continue to get better! So far, looks beautiful and a nice addition to Sheds!

 

[PossumRoach]

What was the old tank’s problem? Was the structure unsafe? Was it too small for its animals? If it was too small couldn’t the aquarium just get rid of the larger species? Is “Caribbean Reef” sending a message that contradicts what the aquarium stands for? Without a proper explanation I just see this change as a change that is done for the sake of change.

Also I assume that the small little screens by the edge of the glass are supposed to act as signage. If so then brilliant, small-switching-screen signs is definitely a welcome change to any aquarium which makes it easier for guests to learn about the animals, especially when the signs are defunct.

For those who didn’t get it the last part is sarcasm.

 

[birdsandbats]

What was the old tank’s problem? Was the structure unsafe? Was it too small for its animals? If it was too small couldn’t the aquarium just get rid of the larger species? Is “Caribbean Reef” sending a message that contradicts what the aquarium stands for? Without a proper explanation I just see this change as a change that is done for the sake of change.

Also I assume that the small little screens by the edge of the glass are supposed to act as signage. If so then brilliant, small-switching-screen signs is definitely a welcome change to any aquarium which makes it easier for guests to learn about the animals, especially when the signs are defunct.

For those who didn’t get it the last part is sarcasm.

As far as the public knows, there was no problem with the old tank. They just wanted something new. Personally, I strongly suspect the structure may have been unstable, and they wanted it replaced as soon as possible, this being why they were so quick to get rid of it after their initial announcement. But that is purely speculation on my part. It certainly wasn't too small (it was huge).

 

[USZOOfan42]

Also I assume that the small little screens by the edge of the glass are supposed to act as signage. If so then brilliant, small-switching-screen signs is definitely a welcome change to any aquarium which makes it easier for guests to learn about the animals, especially when the signs are defunct.

The old tank has actual non screen signs

 

[JVM]

What was the old tank’s problem? Was the structure unsafe? Was it too small for its animals? If it was too small couldn’t the aquarium just get rid of the larger species? Is “Caribbean Reef” sending a message that contradicts what the aquarium stands for? Without a proper explanation I just see this change as a change that is done for the sake of change.

Also I assume that the small little screens by the edge of the glass are supposed to act as signage. If so then brilliant, small-switching-screen signs is definitely a welcome change to any aquarium which makes it easier for guests to learn about the animals, especially when the signs are defunct.

For those who didn’t get it the last part is sarcasm.

They are constructing a new Carribbean Reef exhibit in the master plan so my assumption is they made a atrategic decision to alter the existing habitat in the rotunda before construction on the new tunnel version begins, especially as the rotunda is important for traffic an crowding.

I can see the reasoning behind the decision despite my disappointment with the execution.

 

[CMP]

I am optimistic for the new Caribbean Reef tunnel because it will be bigger than the old Caribbean Reef tank and have a couple of new large charismatic species

They are constructing a new Carribbean Reef exhibit in the master plan so my assumption is they made a atrategic decision to alter the existing habitat in the rotunda before construction on the new tunnel version begins, especially as the rotunda is important for traffic an crowding.

I can see the reasoning behind the decision despite my disappointment with the execution.

That would be fine and well if the exhibits the new Caribbean reef seems to be replacing weren't some of my favorites of any aquarium- the tropical freshwater galleries. It remains to be seen if those inhabitants will be properly replaced.

I don't hate the new tanks- they look very nice, and I'm sure I would enjoy them a whole lot more as an addition. The problem is that they replaced something they can never really live up to. Yes, the tanks look fairly tall, but the Caribbean reef was very deep, and there is no debate it contained a much larger volume overall.