A State-of-the-Art Aquarium for the Turtle Back Zoo

A state-of-the-art aquarium has been donated to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo to commemorate the 35^th anniversary – "the coral anniversary" of The Zoological Society of New Jersey.  The ribbon-cutting ceremony and press conference will take place at the aquarium on September 15^th.

"The aquarium will feature several tanks filled with exotic sea-living species from tropical locations around the world as well as a Scarlet Ibis bird exhibit," stated an information document handed out to visitors.  "To help fund the upkeep of the aquarium and its colorful creatures, the Society is offering a limited number of sponsorships at various donation levels on a first-come basis."

To help spread the word to the community, the zoo offered members of the press, their guests and "intellectual bloggers and tweeters" a sneak peek of the aquarium on Thursday evening.  Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Director of the Turtle Back Zoo conducted the tour.

Upon the entering the aquarium, the first thing one will notice is the "curtain of kelp."  The purpose of this is to control the amount of light and sound that enters the atmosphere, as well as setting the proper mood.  Once inside the facility, visitors will be greeted by ocean sounds as they gaze at six tanks filled with exotic species of fish and colorful varieties of coral. "Each tank has a theme.  There's a 55-gallon Seahorse tank, a 55-gallon Invertebrate tank and a 55-gallon Jawfish tank," Dr. Goodman explains patiently to the visitors.  "There will also be a 200-gallon Venomous tank (filled with lion fish, rock fish, etc), a 200-gallon Clownfish tank (like in Finding Nemo), and a 900-gallon tank filled with unusual varieties of Coral Reef.  Outside the tank will be coral from the Indian Pacific oceans that people can touch." 

To find out about the fish on display, there will also be state-of-the-art touch screens on the walls, as well as picture cards available for people to take with them.

"There will be about 75 different species of fish, and 150 different specimens, in these tanks," said Dr. Goodman.  "That includes clown fish, crabs, shrimp, chocolate chip starfish, prairie dog fish, fire fish and citron gobi." 

The tour then proceeded to the back room to see the high-tech controlled water filtration and monitoring system.  Dr. Goodman explained that the fish's habitat must always be precisely controlled in order for the fish to survive, and thrive.  "For a fish, if the water quality is off, it's like smog in the air for humans," he said.  "Even if you're able to live, you'll be stressed."  For this reason, the aquarium is equipped with a reverse osmosis water purifier and salt tanks, and other controlled water systems.  Light cycles, he added, are also controlled. "Some fish can only live in water that's 75 to 76 degrees.  They don't do well at 74 degrees and they don't do well at 77 degrees." 

Once outside the auditorium, the visitors were shown an enclosure for shore and wading birds called Scarlet Ibis bird exhibit.  This exhibit illustrated the connection between aquatic and aviary species and interdependent habitats.

"All our fish are MAC – meaning, Marine Advisory Council – certified," stated Dr. Goodman. "They're hand-collected from ecologically responsible sources or are captive bred species." 

As he wrapped up the tour, a child questioned Dr. Goodman about some of the specialty services the zoo provided its inhabitants.  He was surprised to learn that the Turtle Back Zoo has a "fish anesthetic unit."

"Yes, it's possible to do surgery on fish," Dr. Goodman explained, as the child gasped in wonder.  "You use water mixed with anesthetic, which lasts for about half an hour.  You can do minor procedures."

"What about open heart surgery?" asked the boy.

"Well . . . it's possible, on large fish.  Like sharks," answered Dr. Goodman with a smile.  "But that's not here.  That's somewhere else."

For more information about aquarium sponsorships and/or about the Zoological Society of New Jersey, please contact Connie Williams at 973-731-5800, ext. 241.

The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue, 
West Orange, New Jersey, 07052
    (973) 731-5800 www.turtlebackzoo.com

 Hours

10 - 4:30 Monday - Saturday*

11 - 5:30 Sunday*

*Park remains open for 1/2 hour after last admission.
  Zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Adults $9

Children $6

Seniors $6

Under 2 Free