New Sturgeon Touch Tank Experience Opens At Maritime Aquarium

NORWALK, CT — A new exhibit at the Maritime Aquarium offers guests a hands-on experience with Atlantic sturgeon, creatures whose ancestors swam through the water before dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

"They're prehistoric," Aquarium Spokesperson Amy Diaz said to Patch. "They're pretty unique and rare."

The new sturgeon touch tank, part of a larger salt march exhibit at the aquarium, gives guests a chance to have an up-close encounter with these unique animals.

The 32-foot, 7,000-gallon tank allows guests to place their hands in the water and feel the spiny, almost dinosaur-like backs of the sturgeon.

"It's pretty rare to have these touch tanks," Diaz said. "There's only a handful within the U.S. that do it and are [Association of Zoos and Aquariums]-accredited."

Though the creatures currently on display may seem large already, Diaz said they can grow up to 14 feet long and live for up to 60 years.

"They get much, much larger, so that's why we had to have a tank that was big enough to fit what we have," Diaz said. "It's been pretty popular so far. We've had really great feedback."

According to Diaz, Atlantic sturgeon typically breed, hatch and grow in rivers before moving to the ocean.

Once abundant, these creatures were harmed by over-fishing, pollution and dams blocking river routes, leading to them being classified as an endangered species. There are currently conservation efforts being made on both federal and state levels to protect these animals, according to press materials provided by the aquarium.

Atlantic sturgeon have even recently been found in the Connecticut River, where they were previously thought to have disappeared from entirely, according to the aquarium.

"Because it's a local species, I think it's important to have this exhibit here and then talk about the conservation efforts around it, because they are an endangered species," Diaz said, "so to protect them and educate people."

The exhibit officially opened to the public in mid-July after months of preparation and work, the aim of which is to offer guests of all ages a fun, hands-on experience that is also educational.

"This was a very collaborative effort and involved everybody at the aquarium," Diaz said, "so to just see it live is very exciting and seeing the looks on the kids' faces touching the sturgeon, it's a very exciting moment for us."

The sturgeon exhibit is one of four touch tanks at the Maritime Aquarium. Guests are also encouraged to interact with cownose rays, chain catsharks, moon jellies and a variety of crabs during their visits.

"We are particularly excited about this new exhibit because it is especially rare," Maritime Aquarium CEO Jason Patlis said in a news release, "only a few aquariums in the nation have sturgeon touch tanks. We hope visitors come and enjoy this very unique experience and learn about a very unique species."

Diaz also emphasized the importance of the exhibit's conservation message, delivered by volunteers stationed at the touch tank and educational signage throughout the exhibit, which they hope will have an impact on guests as they interact with the prehistoric creatures.

"I think its one thing to have the experience, but we want the children and adults to leave here with that conservation message," Diaz said, "because when they live their everyday lives, they can think about how the things that they're doing and behaviors might impact wildlife, the ocean and the rivers here. We often say 'your choices matter' so that we can enjoy these prehistoric animals a little bit longer."