5 Things I Learned About Toby

July 11, 2017

Species Highlights

Ask anyone who has been to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium to share a few of the animals saw during their visit. Chances are they will rattle off a list of highlights—sharks, stingrays, eels, lionfish, puffers, seahorses and Toby. The only fish in the Aquarium with a name, Toby’s impressive size and willingness to tolerate a seemingly endless stream of humans posing for “kissing” photos have made the giant gourami the star of many social media feeds. There’s more to Toby than distinctive lips, though. Here are five fish facts about a fan favorite:

Giant gourami are native to Southeast Asia, but you can learn more about them (and snap a selfie with Toby) at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium—where curiosity is only natural.

5 Boats You Can See From The River Hut

July 5, 2017

Education

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is just steps away from the Cuyahoga River. So, if you’re interested in bridges and boats, you have another reason to visit. On any given day you might see a freighter, cruise ship, barge, tugboat, pedal “brew boat,” or other water-worthy vessel pass by our Cleveland Clinic Children’s River Hut. And, if you need help with boat identification, we recommend http://ais.boatnerd.com/.

Here are five boats you can see from the banks of Cleveland’s crooked river:

Stephen B. Roman

The Stephen B. Roman is a freighter ship that transports dry cement from Canada. Named after Canadian mining engineer Stephen Boleslav Roman, it remains the last of Canada Steamship Lines’ original “Fort Class” of Great Lakes package freighters still in service.

Thomas R. Morrish

This tugboat from Michigan was built in 1980 under the name Lady Ora but has been through a series of names since. In 1999, Double Eagle Marine purchased and renamed the boat Island Eagle. White Near Coastal Towing acquired the boat in 2004 and renamed it Captain Zeke. And in 2014, Ryba Marine Construction purchased and renamed the boat Thomas R. Morrish.

Buffalo

The Buffalo is a self-unloading bulk freighter built in 1978. The Buffalo was built under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 which allowed U.S. shipping companies to construct new vessels or modernize their existing fleet through government funding and tax deferred benefits. The Buffalo was the seventh of ten ships launched for American Steamship under this program.

Herbert C. Jackson

In 1959, Great Lakes Engineering Works, River Rouge (Detroit), MI a new hull became the heaviest vessel ever side-launched by the shipyard. It was also second last ship built by the shipyard before it closed. Christened the Herbert C. Jackson for owners Interlake Steamship Co., it was part of a rescue of two boaters adrift on Lake Michigan.

Nautica Queen

Departing right next to the Aquarium, the Nautica Queen is a dining cruise ship. Passengers can enjoy an unlimited buffet meal, drinks, and musical entertainment while onboard. Plus, the Queen offers packages which include a discounted ticket to the Aquarium for a real underwater adventure!

5 Things I Learned About Banggai Cardinalfish

June 27, 2017

Species Highlights

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

New to the Aquarium, little by little I am learning about aquatic life. This week the Banggai cardinalfish caught my eye. Apparently this little looker has caught many people’s attention because the live marine ornamental trade demand has its numbers dwindling. Conservatively 500,000 are being scooped up in the wild annually—more than half of which don’t even survive long enough to make it to a pet store. A 2015 survey estimated only 1.4 million fish were left in its small, natural range in Indonesia’s Banggai Islands.
Here are five things I’ve learned about the coveted species that the US National Marine Fisheries listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act last year:

You can learn more about the Banggai cardinalfish at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium—where curiosity is only natural.

— Sam Fryberger, Marketing Director

5 Things More Dangerous Than Sharks When You’re 47 Meters Down: A Diver’s Perspective

June 20, 2017

Diving

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

We recently saw 47 Meters Down. The new shark thriller starring Mandy Moore is designed to get your heart pumping, for sure. The fact that the silver screen has a habit of making us unnecessarily scared of sharks aside, the things that made us fear for the survival of the novice diving duo at the center of this horror flick had nothing to do with the animals that surrounded their dive cage.

1. Inexperienced divers going to significantly deeper depths than those for which they are trained can be a recipe for disaster even without a shark in the mix. Due to the effects of pressure, the volume of air a diver consumes in a given time typically increases with their depth—go deeper breath more. Other factors can also cause a diver’s air consumption rate to increase including exertion while swimming, speaking and cold water, just to name a few. Stress is also a major contributor to air consumption so two inexperienced divers being harassed by sharks like those portrayed in the film would result in a drastic increase in air consumption. At 47 meters even an experienced diver with a fantastic air consumption rate would quickly drain their scuba cylinder, probably in less than 20 minutes. An inexperienced diver swimming, talking and being harassed by sharks MIGHT make it five minutes at that depth.

2. The full face mask system used in the movie would be extremely dangerous for these inexperienced divers. Humans convert 5% of the oxygen we breathe into carbon dioxide which is then exhaled. The masks in the film do not have separate chambers for new and exhaled gas which would result in the diver breathing in carbon dioxide. The effects of breathing carbon dioxide on the surface are rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, fatigue, nausea and headache. Other, more severe effects can develop if the carbon dioxide exposure is not reversed. Underwater all of these effects would be more even sudden and life threatening.

3. According to the US Navy dive decompression tables a diver may spend up to five minutes at 160’ (47 meters) without needing to decompress during their ascent. The longer a diver stays underwater the greater their exposure to “the bends” becomes. The bends is a layman’s term for decompression sickness, which is caused by the accumulation of nitrogen breathed under pressure. This does not pose a problem until a diver begins to surface and nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream. The bubbles can cause the bends. The amount of time it would take a diver to safely surface increases as the amount of time s/he spends at that depth increases. It would actually take more than four hours to safely surface from a 60-minute dive at a depth of 160 feet.

4. Another risk often faced by divers at depths exceeding 80 feet is nitrogen narcosis. Commonly referred to as “rapture of the deep,” nitrogen narcosis makes a diver feel and act like they are inebriated, lacking inhibitions and generally numb to any concerns. Luckily nitrogen narcosis has not been known to leave any lasting effect so long as divers recognize it and ascend enough to limit its effects. It is easy to imagine the havoc nitrogen narcosis could play on a diver who needs to be very mindful of their surroundings and sharks!

5. Even in warm water hypothermia is a risk. Not wearing a proper fitting full coverage wetsuit can set up a diver for problems. Water can pull heat away from a diver’s body 25 times faster than air. Hypothermia’s effects on the body start with shivering which can become violent and lead to loss of coordination and function. In bikini-style suits the likelihood divers at 47 meters down would experience more than just a mild hypothermia is high.
Given the depth, equipment, clothing and stress factors, it would be a challenge for the most experienced divers to survive under these circumstances.

— Halle Minshall, Dive Safety Coordinator, & Erik Helgesen, Exhibit Diver

5 Things I Learned About Shovelnose Sturgeon

May 30, 2017

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

When I joined the Greater Cleveland Aquarium team, I realized I hadn’t even skimmed the surface when it came to understanding aquatic life. Now I am diving into learning about a different animal each week.

This time my lesson focuses on the shovelnose sturgeon, an animal that embodies that phrase “age before beauty.” According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, sturgeons pre-date many fish species—“appearing in the fossil record approximately 200 million years ago.” Here’s what I have learned about the prehistoric creature:

If you’d like to see a shovelnose up close, visit us anytime at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium—where curiosity is only natural.

World Oceans Day

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Imagine living in a beautiful, underwater world where there’s nothing but the rays of the sun and your fellow aquatic friends surrounding you. Then the next thing you know, you’re surrounded by a sea of… what’s that? Pollution. Trash floating everywhere. There’s nothing more alarming to marine life than being caught in a fishing net or consuming litter that is extremely harmful to the animal’s life.

To get a glimpse of how harmful pollution can be for the animals, here are some alarming statistics. Plastic takes about 400 years to degrade in the water. Remember that favorite can of soda you love drinking? Well that takes about 200 years to degrade in the ocean. In the meantime, the pollution just hangs around, harming any animal in its way. According to Plastic Oceans, “1 in 3 species of all marine mammals have been found entangled in marine litter.” As tourists and even local people, we have to be more mindful of our actions and what we can do to protect our oceans.

Another dangerous effect of trash floating and sinking in the ocean are the chemicals that the pollution can emit. Fish and other animals will consume these chemicals, potentially killing them and even causing negative side effects to humans. How you ask? The fish consume the marine litter. We catch the fish and then we eat the fish. Now we have the same chemicals in our body that make us sick. The thing is, the animals don’t know what they’re about to be tangled in or consume. We know exactly what we’re putting into the ocean, but also may not realize the effects it has on our aquatic friends. So what can you do to help revive our oceans and save our underwater world?

We as humans and ocean lovers need to be more conscious of pollution in the ocean and on the beaches. By picking up all of your trash, you’re reducing the chance of the waves snatching it during high tide and being carried into the ocean. If you see trash laying on the beach or in the ocean, don’t be afraid to grab it and throw it away or recycle it. Even the most simple act of picking up one water bottle can lead to a whole movement of reduced pollution and one more sea creature living a longer life. No matter who or how old you are, you can make a difference in protecting marine life making our oceans a cleaner and safer place.

5 Things I Learned About Lionfish

May 26, 2017

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

When I joined the Aquarium marketing team, I realized exactly how much I didn’t know about sea creatures. That’s why I plan to dive into learning aquatic life by spending time in the exhibits and talking to our aquarists. Lesson 1? Lionfish. Here are five things I’ve discovered about this beautifully banded fish with a voracious appetite.

In the last week, researchers have released a recording of lionfish that sounds a little like a drumbeat. Want to hear it? Click here.

And of course, if you want to see the lionfish in the video from 360-degree views, visit us anytime at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium in the First Energy Powerhouse on the West Bank of the Flats.

Celebrating World Turtle Day

May 23, 2017

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

African Sideneck Turtle

The African Sideneck Turtle is a freshwater turtle, originally discovered in Eastern and Southern Africa, with a lifespan of 25+ years. These turtles are most active during the day and in the wild they spend most of their time in the mud of shallow lakes and rivers. African Sidenecks mainly consume invertebrates such as: insects (crickets), mealworms, and worms. They got their name due to the fact that they cannot fully withdraw their head into their shell. Instead, the head is turned to the side and folded under the upper edge of the shell.

Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle

Similar to the African Sideneck, the Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle cannot fully withdraw its head into its shell. These turtles are native to the Amazon River basin and can be found in the amazon and Orinoco river systems in Venezuela, eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, the Guianas, Brazil, and northern Bolivia. They are omnivorous and feed on both vegetation and small animals. And they love to spend time basking along the riverbanks and in the calm waters of big rivers and streams. The oldest known Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtle living in human care reached 23 years of age, but they can live up to 70 years!

Ohio Spotted Turtle

The Ohio Spotted Turtle is a small (less than six inches) black turtle with distinctive yellow spots on the top of the shell, or carapace. The Spotted Turtle populations have declined greatly throughout Ohio due to people altering wetlands and thereby destroying its natural habitat. These turtles have a preference for the shallow, sluggish waters of ditches, small streams, marshes, bogs, and pond edges – especially where vegetation is abundant. They feed on plant and animal matter taken underwater. If this turtle is disturbed it may quickly dive for safety, or it may leisurely walk into the water and swim to the bottom where it may remain motionless, burrow into the muck, or crawl beneath some sheltering object such as a submerged log.

The Spotted Turtle Project

Member organizations of the Lake Erie Allegheny Partnership for Biodiversity (LEAP) are dedicated to the protection and restoration of biological diversity in our region. LEAP members have formed the Save and Protect Ohio Turtle Diversity (SPOTD) committee. The goals of this committee are to:

Increase survivorship of turtle hatchlings
Repatriate populations of this Ohio Threatened species in protected habitats within Northeast Ohio
Increase recruitment of these animals into the adult populations
Educate the public and involve local academics through research

There are many threats today that have a great impact on Spotted Turtle populations, such as:

Wetland Loss/Degradation
Habitat Fragmentation
Illegal Harvest/Pet Trade
Roadway Mortality
Climate Change
Human-caused increases in Meso-Predator Populations (i.e. Raccoon)
Delayed Sexual Maturity
Low Reproductive Potential
Pollution

During the months of March-May, if you see this yellow spotted, black turtle anywhere in Northeast Ohio as you are hiking through trails and natural areas, let the SPOTD committee know by emailing SPOTD@leapbio.org.

For more information on this project visit Leap’s website.

Backyard Wildlife

May 16, 2017

Written by Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Springtime, for many people, intuitively brings an awareness of renewal and life. The trees flower, the insects emerge, and of course baby wildlife is a wondrous sight. What can equal the rapture upon observing a baby deer take its first steps or a little bird learning to fly? People may come across baby animals in their backyards while clearing brush from last fall, when they begin to mow their lawns, or trimming trees and bushes. Sometimes, accidents happen and can leave wildlife injured or orphaned. Often, these people then want to then care for the animals and raise them. Although the intention is well-placed, most people do not have the information or resources to accomplish this properly and for the optimal health of the animals. This is where wildlife rehabilitators come in.

A wildlife rehabilitator is a person who has acquired the knowledge and permits, and understands the commitment involved in caring for an orphaned or injured animal. In Ohio, it is actually illegal to rear wildlife without a permit. This is for the protection of not only the wildlife, but also the people who wish to help. Wildlife can carry bacteria and viruses that are harmful to people; these types of illnesses are called zoonotic diseases. The wildlife rehabilitator would have gone through training to be able to identify the symptoms of such diseases and can take measures to protect oneself and provide the proper care for the animal.

Further, baby animals require highly specific diets vital to their growth and development. Cow’s milk from the store is not even a close substitute for most of the wildlife a person would come across. Just imagine the tiny bones of a squirrel and the functionality they provide that animal when dashing through the trees. The ingredients in cow milk are simply not suited for helping form those little skeletons. Likewise, feeding worms to a baby bird whose diet should consist of mostly seed is not only detrimental to its growth, but often fatal. An animal that is fed the wrong diet will quite frankly starve to death because it is not getting the nutrients required for its species. Wildlife rehabilitators have the permits, education, and experience to provide the proper care for an animal that needs help.

Conversely, many times a baby animal is found, it is not in need of human assistance. Many times the animal is healthy, but the parents are away finding food or deterring predators. No person educated or otherwise can provide the equivalent care that a mother can. It is always best to try to reunite with the parents before attempting to bring that animal into a captive environment. If the animal is injured or the parents are known to be dead, that of course would invite human help. When capturing an animal in need of assistance, personal safety should always be the priority. Animal will bite, no matter how cute they appear. Once the animal is captured, it should be placed in a dark, quiet place until it can be transported to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator, which should happen as soon as possible. The animal should not receive any food or water! Depending on the animal and what circumstances led to the need for assistance, this can be dangerous. An animal whose body temperature has dropped below normal, for example, can die if given food or water to try to digest in addition to trying to bring its temperature back up. This simply places too much stress on the body and it will shut down. The animal must be taken to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible to legally receive the proper diet and medical care.

Why would the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, which has fish, care about local wildlife, you may ask. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, as a conservation organization, takes an interest in this topic because it is a conservation and stewardship issue. GCA has some animals in its care that were rescues and required a permanent home. We strive to provide the best care for the animals for which we are responsible, and wish to see the same for any species. Remember to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if you come across an animal in need. Please do not attempt to raise the animal on your own. It is difficult, not to mention illegal, to do so.