Marine Science Gallery

Deep Kelp Forest Tanks

These tanks represent a very diverse and abundant habitat, the kelp forest! The giant kelp that grows 2 feet a day, provides food and shelter for many different animals. Not only is this habitat important for animals, but it is also important to humans as well! Seaweeds, like kelp, produce about 70% of our oxygen through photosynthesis. So, take a deep breath and thank kelp! 

Tide Pool Tank

All the animals that you can find in our touch tank live in a habitat called a tide pool. When the tide is low and the water has receded, pools of water are left in between rocks which form the tide pools. In Southern California, we have 2 high tides and 2 low tides every day, which means the animals’ habitat is always changing. They must have special adaptations that allow them to live in such a dynamic habitat. 

Animals in the Marine Science Gallery

Other animals…Sarcastic Fringehead Neoclinus blanchardi, Humboldt Squid Dosidicus gigas

Goldfish

Goldfish

Carassius auratus and Betta Fish Betta splendens: Goldfish and betta fish are the only freshwater fish in the aquarium. They can usually be found in streams, riverbeds, and ponds, but ours came from a pet shop! These fish comb the sediment for food and hide in between...

Wolf Eel

Wolf Eel

Anarrhichthys ocellatus: See the fins on the side of the wolf eel’s body? Those are pectoral fins and that is why the wolf eel is not a true eel like the moray eel! Wolf eels can grow up to 8 feet long. As they age, they develop very strong jaws that are meant to...

Swell Sharks

Swell Sharks

Cephaloscyllium ventriosum: Swell sharks get their name from the ability to swell up with water when they feel threatened. That way they can fit tightly in a crevice and an enemy cannot attack them.  The female swell sharks lay the eggs while swimming through the kelp...

Two-spot Octopus

Two-spot Octopus

Octopus bimaculoides: With eight arms, three hearts, nine brains, and the ability to camouflage, the two-spot octopus is the most intelligent animal in the aquarium! Our octopus is a master at hiding so it might be hard to spot her camouflaging and hiding in the tank....

Brine Shrimp

Brine Shrimp

Artemia franciscana: Brine shrimp are a species of plankton that we grow here at the aquarium. They are an important food source and are fed to all the planktivorous (plankton eating) animals including moon jellies and anemones. 

Sea Horse

Sea Horse

Hyppocampus comes: The species of sea horse that we currently have in the aquarium is called a tiger tail seahorse. It is not local to southern California but commonly found off Indonesia and the Philippines. Sea horses are unique because the males are the ones that...

Moon Jelly

Moon Jelly

Aurelia aurita: Have you ever been stung by a jellyfish? It probably hurt because they have stinging cells called nematocysts! Moon jellies are the exception because while they still have those stinging cells, they are generally too weak to hurt humans. 

Roundhouse Aquarium Exhibits

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