Aquarium Department Celebrate, Connect, Care

Aquarium Department Celebrate, Connect, Care

Introduction Gary Violetta Curator of Fishes at SeaWorld Orlando Graduated from Bowling Green State University Major : Marine Science Minor: Chemistry SeaWorld for 36 years History: SeaWorld Ohio SeaWorld San Antonio SeaWorld Orlando

Responsibilities Aquarium Department Display, Husbandry and Health of all the fish, sharks, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates

Animal Areas Aquarium Department - 7 major areas: Shark Encounter Manatee, Amphibians, Shark Shallows, Bar top, SUG, Alligator Manta Aquatica Journey to Atlantis SEA, Nemours, VIP, Kraken Quarantine (SWO, DC and AQ and GM) Sea Turtles Rehabilitation/Turtle Trek Stingray Lagoon/Shark Cart Animal Ambassadors (reptiles) 180 aquariums with 1,750,000 gallons

Personnel Aquarium Department

Highlights of What We Do Rehabilitation: Sea Turtle Rehab program Reproduction: Weedy Sea Dragons Conservation: Rising Tide Conservation Program

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation

Facts About Sea Turtles Cold blooded vertebrates 7 different species of sea turtles around the world. Size range- 2 inches to 9 feet Life expectancy is similar in length to humans. Cannot retract their flippers and head like land turtles and tortoises. Eat all kinds of sea creatures, from algae and jelly fish to large conchs and fish.

Protected Animals All sea turtles are Endangered or Threatened Threats to Their Survival: Natural Predation, cold snaps, and disease Man Made Chemical spills, artificial lighting,poaching, boat injuries, discarded trash, fishing gear, coastal development, and incidental catch (long lines)

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation since 1980 First case Adult loggerhead boat injury from Brevard County in April, 1980 In the first few years, rescued sea turtle numbers were single digits. Currently, averaging 45 to 50 per year. SeaWorld s History

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation SeaWorld s History 1981 100 Head Start green sea turtle hatchlings released 1989 Rescued and released 94 cold stunned green sea turtles Then

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation SeaWorld s History 2010 Received 293 cold stunned sea turtles and released 244. 2010 In June, received 127 oil spilled and released all 127.

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation SeaWorld s History Since 1980, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 1603 sea turtles and has released 1088 (67.9%). Species rescued : Loggerheads 49% Greens 41% Kemp s ridley 5% Hawksbill 5% Leatherback >0.2%

Injuries - Emaciated

Injuries - Impaction

Injuries Fishing

Injuries Boat Trauma

Continuing Care Regular Vet check-ups Surgeries Tubings Debrides/ wound care Medications Supplementations Regular weighing Feedings

If You Encounter Injured Sea Turtle? Please do not attempt to handle the sea turtle, to avoid injuries to the turtle and yourself Contact Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) 1-888-404-3922 Do not remove any fishing hooks or line If possible, stay by the sea turtle until help has arrived

Sea Dragon Success! Leafy Sea Dragon Weedy Sea Dragon

A Few Sea Dragon Facts Sea dragons are syngnathids and are most closely related to seahorses and pipefish. They only occur in the waters of Australia Sea dragons are legally protected species. A very limited number of captive-raised sea dragons are available to zoological institutions. Weedy sea dragons have been hatched at 6 intuitions worldwide. Leafy sea dragons have never been hatched in captivity.

Overview of Sea Dragon History at SWF SWF has displayed Weedy and Leafy Sea Dragons since 1999. The current exhibit at Manta was built specifically for sea dragons in the hopes of breeding both species. Successful breeding is thought to require significant depth for the completion of a courtship dance and the successful transfer of eggs from the female to the male s tail. Finding dropped or unfertilized eggs is not uncommon in the exhibit. On June 19, 2012 during morning rounds, the aquarists found that one of the male Weedy sea dragons was holding eggs!

97 eggs

On July 12 (Day 23) we moved the male with eggs to a behind-thescenes holding system. On July 17 (Day 28) the first sea dragon hatched.

72 of 97 eggs actually hatched. 32 (44%) of hatchlings were under developed or deformed and did not survive. Underdeveloped snouts have been observed by other institutions. It is not known if this is caused by genetics or environmental conditions during egg development.

40 eggs (55%) hatched out producing babies that appear normal and healthy. They are growing like weeds and at 10 weeks have already converted to a frozen diet! 40 baby seadragons in a psuedo-kreisel grow out tank..

2013 and beyond...

Conservation: Rising Tide Conservation Program Collaborative Marine Ornamental Fish Propagation Efforts

Industry relies on wildcaught specimens Few bred at all Largely opportunistic Only few dozen commercially bred

American Zoo And Aquariums Aquatic Collection Sustainability Committee AZA initiative Assess sustainability of current aquatic animal accession options Establish plan to improve existing and potential options Create a Sustainability Statement and Action Plan

Committee Results Too many diverse species for a single solution Wild collection will remain the only viable option for many species (ensuring sustainable practices) Continue to develop captive breeding to reduce pressure on reef ecosystems

Challenges For Breeding Marine Fishes General lack of research / knowledge Broodstock availability and performance -Spawning and egg quality -Nutritional requirements Incubation hatching first feeding Feeding environment / Live feeds Subsequent developmental stages Aquarium Resources

Rising Tide Conservation Initiative SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment (2009) Research facilities, industry partners, public display aquaria Create a platform that promotes the dissemination of information on marine tropical fish aquaculture Rising Tide stakeholder Explore production protocols for target species Transfer protocols to related species

Collaborative Effort

Brood Stock The First Year Accomplishments

The First Year Accomplishments Brood Stock Collecting Eggs/Larvae

The First Year Accomplishments Brood Stock Collecting Eggs/Larvae Initial Foods

The First Year Accomplishments Diversity of Larval Form

The First Year Accomplishments Porkfish Anisotremus virginicus Breeding Highlights Blue Tang Paracanthurus hepatus Angelfish Pomocanthus sp.

Second Year Goals Applied for Funding to continue research

1. Receive eggs and funding from partners Second Year Goals

Second Year Goals 1. Receive eggs and funding from partners 2. Understand what larvae choose to eat or have the ability to eat

Second Year Goals 1. Receive eggs and funding from partners 2. Understand what larvae choose to eat or have the ability to eat 3. Determine the Environmental Conditions That Elicit a Feeding Response

Second Year Goals 1. Receive eggs and funding from partners 2. Understand what larvae choose to eat or have the ability to eat 3. Determine the Environmental Conditions That Elicit a Feeding Response 4. Different species

Next Steps for TAL DNA analysis of larvae and gut contents to confirm who is eating what. Provide important species for display. Provide species with conservation status. Transfer technology to commercial breeders.

Next Steps for Aquariums Involve more aquaria for egg collection Commitments from Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Sea World and The Florida Aquarium to fund continuing collections Spawning observations Exhibits and graphics Egg Collectors Measuring Eggs

Educational Display

Educational Display Graphics

Question?