A Groundbreaking Seadragon and Seahorse Experience
On May 17, 2019 Birch Aquarium at Scripps is launching Seadragons & Seahorses, new permanent exhibition that brings seadragon conservation to the forefront. The exhibition will be home to Weedy and Leafy Seadragons, as well as several species of seahorses and pipefish.
The centerpiece of the exhibition will be one of the most expansive seadragon habitats in the world. The 18-foot-wide, 9-foot-tall exhibit will hold 5,375 gallons of water — that's equivalent to 70 bathtubs! More than being a stunning display, the habitat has been designed to create the ideal environment to breed Leafy Seadragons, something that has never been done in captivity before.
Leafy Seadragons
Known for their ornate camouflage and leaf-like appendages, these captivating fish are native to the shallow, seaweed-filled seas of Southwestern Australia.
Weedy Seadragons
These seahorse cousins use their bright coloration and seaweed-like appendages to hide among the kelp-covered rocky reefs of temperate Australian waters.
Seahorses and Pipefish
Captivating seahorses and pipefish, from local waters to exotic locations, will also be featured. Don't miss the seahorse babies born right here at Birch Aquarium.
More about the Exhibition
Seadragons & Seahorses will immerse aquarium guests into the underwater lives of seahorses and seadragons, while giving a peek into the work Birch Aquarium’s renowned Husbandry Team is doing to ensure that these species survive into the future.
Dappled light, dramatic photography, and larger-than-life imagery set the scene as guests learn how to observe these animals the way scientists do: by noticing the unique features that distinguish individual animals and identifying courtship and mating behaviors that will make our breeding program a success.
Why Seadragons and Seahorses?
The husbandry of seadragons is increasingly vital due to the impacts of climate change, warming oceans, and illegal collection of wild populations, whose numbers are still widely unknown.
Birch Aquarium has been successfully rearing seahorses in captivity for nearly 25 years, making us a leader in the field. We hope this new exhibit will result in our first successful seadragon breeding.
Press Kit
Please reach out to Beth Chee, Director of Marketing, at bchee@ucsd.edu or 858-534-8555 to set up expert interviews.
Images/Video Press Release
Thank You To Our Generous Donors
This exhibition is made possible through generous donations from the community. If you are interested in learning more or supporting Seadragons & Seahorses, please contact John Matthews at j5matthews@ucsd.edu or (858)822-5803.