Here’s some video footage of the rescued cowfish we met a while back, swimming around in his new home at the Aquarium’s seahorse exhibit. Watch the way he swims; cowfish have hard, bony armor surrounding their bodies that keeps them from turning and flexing the way many fishes do. They move by fluttering small fins that extend out of their armor, so although they’re very well-protected, they’re not particularly quick or maneuverable.





At one point in the video, the cowfish ties to catch up to one of the mysid shrimp that are sprinkled into the exhibit for the seahorses to eat. The fact that he has some trouble catching up to a frozen shrimp is evidence that swimming isn’t his strong suit, although the fact that he picks a shrimp that’s almost as big as he is also doesn’t make things any easier.

You do have to admire his heart.

-Tim

The Lagoon Exhibit, located in the Aquarium's West Wing, has always been something of a hidden gem. Although it has long been a favorite among both Aquarium staff and frequent visitors, the exhibit has been newly refurbished since the construction of The Trust Family Foundation Shark and Ray Touch Tank, and is quietly home to some of the most beautiful and unusual animals in the entire Aquarium.


The exhibit features fishes, living corals and other invertebrates from the Indo- and Western Pacific, many of whose colors, shapes and behaviors are so amazing that it can be difficult to believe that they're real.


Next time you visit the Aquarium, no matter how many times you've been here, take some time at this exhibit; you may well walk away having discovered a new favorite animal. Also, check back for posts introducing some of this exhibit's particular animals in more detail; you'll be amazed!

-Tim