Tennessee Aquarium Tennessee Aquarium News

Other 2022 News:

On February 17th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) blue-spotted tree monitor lizard that is now on exhibit in the Island Life exhibit in Ocean Journey.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...TuyVa9xHsJG2vadWBsne3TPetS1aQCe6LxFm4UKGf2Svl

On February 22nd, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2+) high-fin snappers which are on exhibit in the Island Life exhibit in Ocean Journey.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...ZZ4NMZrrTsGrDq3Pf1VitGe21KJe88VQLC23TktzVwYyl

On April 22nd, the aquarium announced they released (0.0.65) lake sturgeon back into the wild.


On April 25th, it was reported that the aquarium has turned 30 years old, and among other things, has generated $9.4 billion in revenue for Chattanooga's economy since 1992.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...quarium-celebrates-30-years-touts-4-9b-impact

On May 9th, the aquarium announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) longnose butterflyfish, a (0.0.1) lemonpeel angelfish, and a (0.0.1) Singapore angelfish, which are now on exhibit in the Indo-Pacific Reef tank.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...DR5w2nsq67kt2ayHRhzYMeGgu3RKNGekfJ4bwiwYpgqBl

On June 6th, the aquarium announced they released (0.0.800) juvenile southern Appalachian brook trout back into the wild.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...KRWbVtuCZX7FyX8qNHdcvdQFS1vDqBr5xzh2eHBwoz5zl

On July 8th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.0.1) Puget Sound king crab, (0.0.2+?) giant California sea cucumbers, and (0.0.2+) feather duster worms which are now on exhibit in the Vancouver Island tank.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...n6jSi75JMYNMJHPseWadXwJPygtVp5m7hbVwj34xh3kfl

On July 15th, the aquarium announced they moved (0.0.8) cownose rays from an off-site tank to the Secret Reef exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...T3YBXrgasYU6nkN7MGLpchBHrYefrR6aYUsWDCmEXsUzl

On July 25th, it was reported that 2 children from a summer camp group rode the escalater backwards, which then they slipped and caused a chain reaction which left 5 kids with minor abrasions and 2 kids having to go to the hospital for neck and leg pains respectively.

https://www.wdef.com/children-injured-in-escalator-mishap-at-tennessee-aquarium/

On July 31st, the aquarium announced they have acquired a (0.0.1) giant Pacific octopus which is now on exhibit in the Boneless Beauties area.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...BVVLtbGqfYq7PDggMgTYeHZmiRzwR6jKqh5YjCZERpa9l

On August 2nd, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+?) Arakam Forest turtles and (0.0.2+?) kneeled box turtles hatched and are now on exhibit in the Turtles of the World gallery.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...c4iQq3NemThWRiNMzhGuBD63aqpU2EbU1hSqLfyaYj1Kl

On August 7th, the aquarium announced they have moved their common cuttlefish back on exhibit in the Boneless Beauties area.

https://www.facebook.com/tennesseea...hrtN88JTgUbWyMM9rJXXwG8WUTH8xJVRLuSJvT9TzWERl
 
Today marks the debut of the aquarium's new exhibit, called Ridges to Rivers that will "shine a spotlight on Southern Appalachia's vibrant aquatic life". It includes a Sturgeon Touch Tank and the new area replaces the 'Discovery Hall' part of the aquarium.

Here's an informative article:

Ridges to Rivers gallery opens March 1 at the Tennessee Aquarium

Here's a link to a species list on the aquarium's website:

Ridges to Rivers · Tennessee Aquarium
This is a great addition to the aquarium, it definitely makes it more of a reason to go - as if it needed more reasons. I'm glad that it sticks to the original theme and mission, rather than branching out into something unrelated like the Florida Aquarium is doing in their new areas.
 
Today marks the debut of the aquarium's new exhibit, called Ridges to Rivers that will "shine a spotlight on Southern Appalachia's vibrant aquatic life". It includes a Sturgeon Touch Tank and the new area replaces the 'Discovery Hall' part of the aquarium.

Here's an informative article:

Ridges to Rivers gallery opens March 1 at the Tennessee Aquarium

Here's a link to a species list on the aquarium's website:

Ridges to Rivers · Tennessee Aquarium

Very cool to know, as my family and I will be in Tennessee over Spring Break in two weeks, starting in Chattanooga, and I intend to take the fam here.
 
Piece of 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On February 28th, the aquarium announced (0.0.3) yellow-blotched map turtles were moved on exhibit in the Turtle Nursery area.

Tennessee Aquarium

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On March 26th, the aquarium announced that a (0.0.1) Arakan Forest turtle hatched. On March 30th, the aquarium announced another (0.0.1) Arakan Forest turtle hatched.

Like many turtle species, the Arakan Forest Turtle is in a bad way. Found in Myanmar and Bangladesh, this critically endangered reptile was once thought... | By Tennessee Aquarium | Facebook\
Tennessee Aquarium

On March 27th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.2) spotted eagle rays which are now on exhibit in the Secret Reefs exhibit.

Tennessee Aquarium

On April 5th, the aquarium announced they acquired (0.0.4) arapaima fry (species not specified) in late 2022 which are behind the scenes.

Tennessee Aquarium

On May 4th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2) four-eyed turtles hatched on May 1st and May 2nd respectively.

When our herpetologist checked in on a pair of incubating Four-eyed Turtle eggs, he noticed one already had hatched but the second turtle was still in... | By Tennessee Aquarium | Facebook
 
On May 24th, the aquarium announced that they released (0.0.350+) Southern Appalachian brook trout back into the wild.

Every spring, a team of conservation... - Tennessee Aquarium

On May 17th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.2+?) yellow-banded poison dart frogs which are now on exhibit in the Seasonal Floodwaters exhibit.

Be sure to hop by the Seasonal... - Tennessee Aquarium

On May 19th, the aquarium announced that another (0.0.1) four-eyed turtle hatched.

This #EndangeredSpeciesDay, we're... - Tennessee Aquarium

On July 25th, the aquarium announced that a (0.0.1) swell shark hatched, marking the first time the species was successfully bred at the facility.

Just in time for Shark Week, we're... - Tennessee Aquarium
We just hatched a glow-in-the-dark shark! · Tennessee Aquarium

On August 21st, the aquarium announced that they acquired a (0.1) North American river otter named Sunshine from the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas in June, which is now on exhibit.

Just adding a little Sunshine to your... - Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium welcomes first female otter, opening door to possible breeding program · Tennessee Aquarium
 

On September 6th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.6) sicklefin redhorses which are now on display in the large stream exhibit of the Ridges to Rivers gallery. They are the only aquarium to hold this species.

Meet the Sicklefin Redhorse: A Sucker Species With A Cool Name and Cultural Significance | This week, we introduced six Sicklefin Redhorse into the large stream exhibit in the Ridges to Rivers gallery. This undescribed member of the sucker... | By Tennessee Aquarium | Facebook

On November 3rd, the aquarium announced that their (1.0) alligator snapping turtle passed away at ~85 years.

Tennessee Aquarium

On November 7th, the aquarium announced that a (0.0.1) Hilaire's side-necked turtle hatched.

Tennessee Aquarium

On November 11th, the aquarium announced that (0.0.2+) Anthony's poison arrow frogs hatched.

Tennessee Aquarium

On November 17th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.2+) red-bellied piranhas which are now on display in the Amazon River exhibit.

Tennessee Aquarium

On December 13th, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.2+) longhead darters which are now on display in the Appalachian Stream exhibit near the Appalachian Forest gallery exit. This is the only holder of the species in human care that can be viewed publicly.

Conservation project leads to exhibition of rare Longhead Darters · Tennessee Aquarium
 
I am amazed at the number of local conservation projects the Aquarium is involved in. Just read that news item on longhead darters (even though in this case the project has faltered somewhat on husbandry issues).

First and most important: the species is on display and its plight may be highlighted as gone from the Duck River, TN and second, that essentials on husbandry and raising broodstock now are in place (we can build from there).
 
On February 22nd, the aquarium announced they acquired 5 new fish species (Aruiga butterflyfish, azure damselfish, dog-faced pufferfish, foxface rabbitfish, and squareback anthias) which are now on display in the Tropical Island Life gallery.

Tennessee Aquarium

On March 21st, the aquarium announced that (0.0.7) Arakan Forest turtles hatched, marking the largest group of the species to ever be hatched at an AZA facility. It was also mentioned that the SSP for the species ended in 2023 due to a decline in facilities that work with the species.

Tennessee Aquarium
Critically endangered turtles Hatched · Tennessee Aquarium
 

On July 1st the aquarium announced that a macaroni penguin named hatched on June 2nd.

Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium hatches Macaroni Penguin chick

On July 18th, it was reported that the aquarium's President and CEO, Keith Sanford, announced his retirement.

Tennessee Aquarium President And CEO Keith Sanford Announces Retirement

On July 21st, the aquarium announced that 2+ Hamilton's pond turtles hatched which are on display in the Turtle Nursery gallery.

Tennessee Aquarium

On July 24th, the aquarium announced that 2 Yucatán box turtles hatched which are on display in the Turtle Nursery.

4.8K views · 151 reactions | After two days of hard work, we showed up just in time to catch one of a pair of hatching Yucatan Box Turtles take its FIRST STEPS in our Turtle Nursery! (Yes, we're excited. You should be too!) #babyanimals #cuteanimals #turtles #animals #tennesseeaquarium | Tennessee Aquarium

On August 19th, the aquarium announced they built a new outdoor pool for their (1.0) green sea turtle named Oscar at their off-site Animal Care Facility.

Oscar the Green Sea Turtle gets a summer home · Tennessee Aquarium
 
Piece of May 2024 News Not Mentioned:
On May 16th, the aquarium announced they were able to get their fish inside the large stream exhibit in the Ridges to Rivers gallery to spawn together, mimicking what they would do in the wild (which the facility claims is an unprecedented event to happen in human care).

Tennessee Aquarium hosts rare spawning event in newest gallery

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On October 30th, the aquarium they released ~500 lake sturgeons back into the wild.

Students aid scientists in restoring ancient fish to TN River

On August 26th, the aquarium announced they acquired 105 wild-caught Laurel daces in late July due to a prolonged drought in the region (though 1 passed while being transferred) which are at the aquarium's Conservation Institute. On December 31st, the aquarium announced they acquired 196 more Laurel daces from the wild.

Fish out of water · Tennessee Aquarium
Celebrating a dozen Aquarium milestones from 2024 · Tennessee Aquarium

On September 5th, the aquarium announced that an epaulette shark hatched.

Tennessee Aquarium

On October 18th, the aquarium announced their first President/CEO Bob Flynn (who also helped build the New York Aquarium and Pittsburgh's aquarium building) passed away.

Tennessee Aquarium
Remembering the Aquarium’s first president: The legacy of Bill Flynn · Tennessee Aquarium

On July 1st the aquarium announced that a macaroni penguin hatched on June 2nd.

Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium hatches Macaroni Penguin chick

On December 4th, the aquarium announced that the penguin was sexed as (0.1) and named Lyda Sue.

Tennessee Aquarium

On January 15th, 2025, the aquarium announced that 5+ long-snouted pipefish were born in December which are behind the scenes.

9.6K views · 104 reactions | About a month ago, a male Long-mouth Freshwater Pipefish hatched a new brood of fry in our Rivers of the World gallery. Since then, these baby syngnathids have been steadily growing up in the safety of a home behind the scenes. They'll stay here until they've grown large enough to safely rejoin their parents in our Freshwater Pipefish exhibit. Until then, we're just going to be right over ... here ... watching and falling in love with them. Don't mind us. #babyanimals #pipefish #seahorses #aquariums #tennesseeaquarium | Tennessee Aquarium

On February 12th, it was reported that the aquarium hired a new CEO, Andrew Wood, who previously served as the COO for The Florida Aquarium in Florida for 7 years.

Tennessee Aquarium names new president and CEO

On February 15th, the aquarium announced they acquired a (0.1) striped skunk named Brie from the Nashville Zoo in Tennessee which is now an ambassador animal.

Tennessee Aquarium
WATCH LIVE: Meet our newest addition to the Ambassador Animals at the Tennessee Aquarium - Brie the Striped Skunk. Let us know if you have any questions... | By Tennessee Aquarium | Facebook
 
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