Whale Shark- Georgia Aquarium question
- Thread starter davo
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The White sharks at MBA (especially the last one) were doing very well. A little too well. They were released early because they were eating the other animals in the display. They polished off two Soupfin Sharks and the last one was taking aim at the Scalloped Hammerheads in the tank. Not good for the old budget nor the public image.
Would have been quite interesting to keep the Great Whites long term though. Like someone already mentioned, it would have been a great way to get the public's interest and raise awareness about the species. Being able to see them up close and a great way to develop an appreciation for these awesome animals.
MBA released two that they told the public about. They had 4 (if I remember right) in between those two. The four others didn't even make it to display. The two they kicked back out to sea were b/c it was that or have them die on display....which is very bad from a PR stand point. I'm sure Em will chime in at some point about them. First hand into is better than second hand from me.
Stand Corrected - forget about the GWs they kept in the holding area out in the Bay.
But when it comes to info about the Great Whites or anything else at MBA - Em the one to talk to.
But when it comes to info about the Great Whites or anything else at MBA - Em the one to talk to.
since monterey bay was the first to keep great whites alive in captivity for an extended period of time with some degree of sucess, the other fish in that tank, which included some tunas, and some other more commonly kept sharks could have been relocated just for the one or two great whites, and just keeping those 2 and watching them grow in there, would draw in much more interest, sales, media frenzie and the rest than the rest of the fish.
all the other sharks, tunas, and mackerals in there, have been kept before, as well as in other aquariums, but not great whites. if anyone is listening, this is my honest opinion.
the first 4 footer, I drove up over night to see it in person, and it was just a baby, but imagine if they had let it grow, that was 3 years ago, by now, it would probably have reached over 10 feet, and that would be an incredible site to see.
I know they've released some of the other fish, such as the mola mola that had outgrown the tank.
all the other sharks, tunas, and mackerals in there, have been kept before, as well as in other aquariums, but not great whites. if anyone is listening, this is my honest opinion.
the first 4 footer, I drove up over night to see it in person, and it was just a baby, but imagine if they had let it grow, that was 3 years ago, by now, it would probably have reached over 10 feet, and that would be an incredible site to see.
I know they've released some of the other fish, such as the mola mola that had outgrown the tank.
The sharks were suffering two fold. The tuna (and other heavy bodied fish) were beating the crap out of them. Second, they were rubbing there noses so much on the walls that they had an off sense of what was in front of them. If you get a good pic of the rostrum just prior to release, you'll see what I mean.
Ewurm - I agree, only time I have seen Ocean Sunfish is on google images. They are really fascinating fish, does anyone know how large they grow? Would be a fun fish to own, but seeing it outgrew a million gallon tank, chances of that are very slim haha
