A cultures aquarist

Aquariums obtain animals from the ocean to display in their exhibits to fulfill an important role in teaching the public about the sea. Alarming statistics reveal that fish stocks and many species in our oceans are becoming depleted. In an attempt to reduce the impact on the ocean, many aquariums around the world are focusing on the culture of species for aquarium display and reintroduction into the wild. uShaka Sea World is no exception!

Aquarists who work in the aquarium monitor the exhibits closely to look for signs of new life in the form of eggs or live born animals. The eggs or juveniles are removed from the exhibit and taken to the culture facility where they are reared or grown out until they are big enough to fend for themselves.

Juvenile fish require constant attention and nutritional support in order to grow. Artemia or brine shrimp is used to feed juvenile fish and corals. Artemia eggs are bought in cyst form. Conditions are artificially created for the cysts or eggs to hatch and after 4 to 6 weeks they reach their adult stage.

In the early 1990’s, the first Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) was cultured in an aquarium. This has paved the way for many more jellyfish species to be cultured since then for display purposes. uShaka Sea World proudly displays Moon jellyfish, Blue jellyfish, White spotted jellyfish and Upside down jellyfish which have been cultured on the premises. Several more species are in the experimentation phase.

The Common cuttlefish is an interesting invertebrate found along our coastline. These cute looking cousins of the Octopus are a real challenge to rear in terms of feeding! With their frilly skirts and little beak like mouth, they have won the hearts of the aquarists and public alike!

uShaka Sea World is home to a number of species that favour the cooler waters of the western and southern Cape. Catsharks from these waters are collected in the egg stage. The ‘mermaid’s purses’ are displayed for the public to see the development of the baby shark inside the egg. When they hatch, they are carefully reared and put on display for the public to enjoy. Make sure that you look out for them on your next visit to the aquarium!

Exchange programmes between aquariums are set up and the animals are carefully placed in shipping boxes and the necessary paperwork prepared to send them all over the country and the world in exchange for new and exciting animals that do not occur in our waters.

Dedicated aquarists work in the culture facility in the Back of House area of uShaka Sea World. In order to become an aquarist who works with cultures, a Bachelor of Science degree is recommended.