NO Aquarium Idea to help

[v2k]

I read that the New Orleans Aquarium lost about one third of its fish...I imagine they suffered other losses of life as well.

It occurs to me that as MAAST we could offer to collect and donate all those overgrown fish and corals and stuff that don't fit in people's tanks any more and help NO establish new tanks when the aquarium is prepared to welcome the creatures. It might be interesting to become involved in actually helping them set up the new tanks, make a NO MAAST trip or something in the future.

I don't know if they need help, if they want help.

But it seems to me that this group is vessel for so much specialized knowledge that could make a specific and valuable contribution to getting NO back on its feet.

Does anyone have contacts with the NO Aquarium?

Is this a good idea?

[Gator]

i like the idea

[GaryP]

I was actually a member of the NO aquarium society when I lived there. They had a wonderful collection of Sygnathanus (Sea horse family). I fell in love with the sea dragons. Many of these are endangered species. I hope they survived.

[pickle311]

Gary, I read earlier that the sea dragons did survive alond with the penguins, sea otters, birds, and the white alligator

[::pete::]

I also think its a good idea, but I am sure they were insured and have the connection to rebuild and restock. Im thinking we could offer what ... frags? I dont think the exhibit would draw a large crowd to look in a large tank at a little frag. then on the other hand a large coral in our tanks are going to look like frags in their tanks.

[pickle311]

I don't recall them having a reef exibit with live corals. It's been about 2 years since I've been, but I don't remember that. If they don't have a tank setup for live coral, then our donations would really be worthless to them.

[AlexKilpatrick]

On a related note, I have heard problems from hurricaines washing people's aquariums out to sea, and introducing all kinds of exotic species into coastal areas where they don't belong. Caulerpa, anyone?

I haven't been to the NO aquarium, but I have yet to see any large reef displays at other aquariums. Usually, they are native/local species, large tanks with sharks and fake coral, or small tropical reef display.