Steve and I went to the Atlantis Marine World a couple of weeks ago, and we can happily say - two thumbs up. Steve, by the way, is my son and one of the world's leading lovers of aquariums, as well as a certified 7-year-old authority.
But now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. We saw a lot of fish that day. Here's our capsule reviews on some of the many exhibits that AMW has to offer. Take it away, Steve...
Electric Eel
There he was, positively electric, and I have to say, he seemed kind of sad, like he'd like a Mrs. Electric Eel hanging around too. Interesting little fact is that he has a 600 volt charge, so perhaps close proximity to anything might be a mistake.
Steve says: "The electric eel was really cool and it had small jaws."
Anenome tank
The anenome tank, on your right just as you walk in the main hall, is a wonder. It's hypnotic and beautiful. The clownfish hangs around the tentacles - a beneficial relationship, we are told, because because they keep predators at bay.
Steve says: "....ummmm...don't remember."
Coral reef
Wow. A major draw. We are informed that this long tank (30 feet) is "the largest all-living, closed-system Coral Reef display in the Western hemisphere." Which sounds very impressive. And it is; 20,000 gallons and enough fish and corals head to entertain you for an hour or so.
Steve says: "There were so many beautiful colorful fish there..."
Giant Pacific Octopus
Maybe my single favorite exhibit, though calling this guy (or lady, not sure which) an "exhibit" seems kinda disrespectful. He's gorgeous, and purple, and highly athletic - bobbing up and down and, I'm pretty certain, waving to us as well.
Steve says: "He was very beautiful and had eleven tentacles, and we looked at it hundreds of times."
Amazon Rain Forest
Interesting exhibit with huge lumbering red-tailed catfish and odd looking red pacu. We got there just as a feeding session began, with someone throwing a handful of fish into the water, and a frenzy ensued.
Steve says: "I thought it was a huge school of fish that dived through the water, and then I thought it was another school of fish that fell into the tank, and then I realized they were feeding them."
Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit
The is the be-all/end-all of AMW - a really beautiful exhibit that is both dramatic and oddly peaceful and benign; it is also hypnotic. Sand tigers drift in endless circles and nurse shark prowl the bottom, while a huge Queensland grouper drift by and gawks at those rudely gawking at it; plus, there's "Jaws," the inquisitive Loggerhead imported from the Mall of America. (But where were the black-tipped reef sharks?)
Steve says: "I liked it how the sand tigers stuck their heads out of the water and how the nurse sharks looked like they had a nasty bite, plus for some reason we could not see the white-tipped reef sharp." (Yes, Steve and I can't remember whether they were black or white tips that were supposed to be there...) Of Jaws, "He was funny because he kept on looking at me, and he was like, 'hi.'"
Jellyfish
This was a big disappointment. AMW has only a little tank up-stairs, mostly hidden out of sight. Anyone, for example, who's been to Norwalk, Ct.'s Maritime Aquarium knows how splendid a properly-done jellyfish exhibit can be. This one just doesn't rate.
Steve says: "They were boring."
Ray Bay
Extremely rambunctious cownose rays and southern rays swim in an endless circle in this large "cement pond," and when they see you wander by, the poke their noses out of the water in the hopes of getting a bit of food (for two bucks, you can buy some fish to feed 'em.) I don't imagine that they love getting stroked by kids, but - hey! - if that's the price you must pay for a snack, then that is the price you must pay. Plus, there are some white-spotted bamboo sharks here,too.
Steve says: "I loved the rays because they were really smooth, and I loved touching the sharks. [One bit him, the highlight of his day.] It felt like a tiny piece of a brick fell on my hand."
