Exhibits of the Aquarium

AcuarioNacional de Cuba


	Exhibits of the Aquarium
	EXTERNAL AREAS: Tropical Island: The exhibits resemble coastal zones of any of the islands or keys of the Cuban archipelago. They include a 186 000 gallons reservoir for the exhibition of 30 different specimens of marine tortoises including Caguama turtle, shell turtle and green tortoise. The reproduction of the natural habitat is achieved with a square-like environment (plaza) which include the “natural” typical vegetation of marine ecosystems such as: Ipomoea pescaprae, Pancratium arenicolum, Morinda citrifolia, Cordia sebestena, Moringa oleifera, Bursera simaruba, hicacos etc. Outsourced birds like Florida pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, complete the system and are an additional attraction to the visitor. Marine grotto: A coastal cave, a typical element of the archipelago originated by the erosion action of the sea, includes an aquatorium. Wooden path in the mangrove exhibit: One of the scientific achievements of the institution is the natural reproduction of a mangrove forest that ranges a 380-m² area and includes such specimens as patabán Laguncularia racemosa and tight mangrove Avicennia germinans. This florest has grown and reaches already more than 4 meters height. The exhibit also includes a so called “ecopath” 25 m in lenght and 1.20 m in wide that has already turned out to an attraction point for visitors, especially, children. Mangrove: Three mangrove species: “natural” mangrove, red mangrove Rhizophora mangrove, tight mangrove Avicennia germinans, and patabán or white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa are shown in this area . The exhibit areaincludes a 7000 gallons aquatorium where first roots of so an important coastal vegetation have been already introduced. Other shown species of typical fish of this tropical ecosystem. Biodiversity exhibition: The exposition is a sample of reference collection of the National Aquarium. In the sample are represented the principal groups of flora and fauna of Cuban waters. You can find too information about scientific collections of Natural History conserved in the Aquarium and the huge biological richness of Cuban marine biodiversity. MARINE LANDSCAPES, FISH AND INVERTEBRATES: Marine landscapes: The exhibition samples enclosed in six 11 000 gallons fishbowls, allow to admire the main typical marine landscapes of the Cuban archipelago according to a scale model that represents them just as they appear originally at different sea depths starting from the coastline onwards. The landscapes also represent their natural environment including fish, corals and other marine invertebrates, all of them “alive”. • SEIBADALES • CORAL REEFS • SEA BED RIDGES • SAND BANK EDGES • RAMAJALES • SLOPES Among other many species following ones are emphasized in this area: Horse-eye jack Caranx latus, Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis, Schoolmaster snapper Lutjanus apodus Fish and invertebrates: In a complex of 24 fishbowls each with 350 gallons capacity are exposed “alive” small young fish and marine invertebrates surrounded by their natural habitat according to the following composition: fish 60 %; invertebrates 30 %; plants and algae 8 % and other vertebrates 2 % Commercial species: An exhibition area of commercial fish species consisting in 5 fishbowls of 10,000 gallons allows a best understanding of the concept “sustainable development”. The exhibited commercial species are mainly snappers Family Lutjanidae, Horse-eye jack Family Haemulidae, groupers Family Serranidae, etc. This exhibition is complemented with some crustacean species. Guatívere Epinephelus fulvus, Mutton snapper Lutjanus analis, Spiny Lobster Panulirus argus, Bluestriped grunt Haemulon sciurus, Hog fish Lachnolaimus maximus, Crab Menippe mercenaria MARINE MAMMALS: Dolphins Sea lions: Surrounded by a welcoming and pleasant enclosure, visitors enjoy didactic-recreational demonstrations, in which important interactions make possible to acquire knowledge about the characteristics of these species, the difference between sea lions and seals whereby actions for their protection and conservation are promoted. An average of four to six exhibition shows is offered every day. South american sea lion Otaria flavescens, Californian sea lion Zalophus californianus, South american fur seal Artocephalus australis, Antarctic fur seal Artocephalus gazella, Sea wolf Artocephalus spp. Seals: Due to the popularity of “Silvia” (it was the first Pinniped on exhibition in the Aquarium understand by national visitors as a seal), there was a need to incorporate to the exhibition true specimens of this species. 2003 were therefore introduced and managed for the first time common seals Phoca vitulina vitulina as permanent exhibition group. 2 calves already have been obtained. Underwater restaurant: Nothing is more impressive and nice than tasting a meal or have dinner watching in nearby company exciting dolphins. This is achieved in a 480 000 gallons seawater tank, separated from a comfortable Restaurant "Gran Azul" by an acrylic board panel having 22 centimeters in thickness, 12 meters in wide and 4 meters in height. The restaurant clients enjoy the underwater interaction between the dolphins of the species Tursiops truncatus housed in this underwater section and their trainers. Source: official site of AcuarioNational (2013)