Friday, January 17, 2025

14 January 2025 New Caledonia: The Age of the Aquarium




This fine aquarium is across the street from our apartment.  How convenient is that?  Entry was very reasonable with the senior discount and we have become adept at remembering to ask for these discounts.  This aquarium exemplifies quality over quantity.  The aquarium did not open until 1 PM and  we got lucky that the feeding time started soon after we arrived.  The colors of the fish and the variety of species was fantastic.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves.



The front door!


Apparently barter or shell money is not allowed anymore


A freshwater eel


It started out with Freshwater animals, eels rays and local fish



These fish were able to keep the heads down orientation at all times


Beautiful fish


A fluorescent spot on the top 


A basket weave on this fish


The eel comes out for feeding time


A giant clam fully extended


But it contracted when the arm of the attendant reached over 


Muddy mudskipper


A different kind of puffer


A weird sea star


This bright colored pipefish


Handing out the food


A trigger fish


Love the colors


Box fish with spots


Each anemone got it's own fish 


Lots of little tanks, sea jellies and sea horses


The Stonefish are perfectly camouflaged and lighting fast


Spotted Garden Eels


This eel would only peek out of his hole


That is until the fish came around and then chomp


Suddenly there was another eel in the tank


These lobsters were so big. we wondered if they were spared from the dinner table by the aquarium staff


Many corals glow under UV light.  This aquarium is the first in the world to display these fluorescent corals


A riot of colors


Three snakes and a charm (A Black Crows Album)


Swimming to the top for a breath


Sea snake with reflection


Circling for food in the big tank


Fantastic yellow fins


A unique type of shark


Clown triggerfish


A big grouper joins the group


A big pufferfish


So much food in the water


Mean looking moray eel


The Unicorn Fish


A Unicorn fish without the horn


It has been 2 years and 222 days since we began our Migration