This space, which is connected to the access building, shows part of the biological richness of the Mediterranean Sea in the form of seven aquariums of different formats depending on the habitat reproduced. As well as observing the various species, the public can also perceive sounds, smells, and images characteristic of this sea.
The Mediterráneo includes some 7,400 individuals of species from various parts of the Spanish coast, and includes the following seven aquariums:
1.- Posidonia meadows.
In this aquarium the protagonist is Posidonia oceanica, a higher plant with flowers, fruits, and roots that has managed to adapt very well to life in the sea. It forms large extensions of thick marine meadows (praderas) of great ecological importance, as this habitat represents a breeding ground for many species.
In Praderas de Posidonia we can encounter fish such as cow breams, ornate wrasses, and peacock wrasses, together with invertebrates such as sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and starfish, among others.
2.- Ports.
With a recreation of a wooden jetty next to a sunken ship and a buoy, this aquarium represents the existence of interesting hardy marine organisms, such as spotted sea bass, mullets, sea bass, and octopuses that have adapted to living under very disturbed conditions in ports where there may also be a high level of pollution.
3.- Infralitoral.
This habitat reproduces the area nearest the coast to be permanently submerged. This environment is subjected to intense light that allows a thick layer of seaweed to develop. The classification by themes carried out by means of channels established between large blocks of artificial rock reflects the strong hydrodynamism deriving from the swell that characterises these areas. Species as varied as rays, morays, and combers, and invertebrates such as hermit crabs, sea urchins, and starfish are found on these shallow sea floors.
4.- Mediolitoral.
This aquarium shows the fauna and flora that has adapted to the periodic movement of the waves. The mediolitoral or mid-littoral area reproduced can be defined as the area “between tides” inhabited by breams, gobies, and scorpion fish, among other species.
5.- Contact pool.
In this aquarium the Mediterráneo offers the visitor the opportunity to touch some of the animals that have previously been observed, such as the skate, the gibbous starlet, the sea cucumber, marine gastropods, and the violet sea urchin. This is always done under the supervision of specialised personnel and with their explanations and advice.
6.- The Breaker.
The unusual design of this aquarium allows the visitor to move into the very heart of the swell. A tunnel through which the public enter penetrates the aquarium itself; it is protected by an acrylic hood from which you can feel how a wave smashes against a rocky cliff to produce a turbulent effect. La Rompiente has been fitted with a microphone and loudspeakers that reproduce sounds produced in real time. Fish such as the bream, the banded astyanax, and the annular bream show how they have adapted to this marine environment.
7.- Coralline.
This Mediterranean ecosystem is the one that most resembles the coral-forming reefs of tropical latitudes because of its great diversity. However, its lack of light severely restricts its plant cover, which mainly consists of red coralline seaweed. Other representative species of this aquarium include the conger eel, the grouper, the swallowtail, and invertebrates such as the various species of lobster.
8.- Cephalopod (Squid and Cuttlefish)
With a volume of 1.600 litres of water, a seabed is represented by rocks and different varieties of algae in which adapt those who are the major marine invertebrates, the Cephalopod. With regard to the cuttlefishes, the size of the specimens is of approximately 15 centimetres, getting as a adult in the natural environment 30-40 cm. They reproduce in captivity for which the aquarium has arranged of a type of rope or similar in order that they could fix the eggs on it. They are in full view of everyone to observe their evolution and growth. In case of the Squid, and due to the fact that they are extremely territorial animal, an animal is included in the aquarium. Rocks have been located at the back of the aquarium to be able to offer to the animal a place where to hide. The water temperature is around 16 oC in both cases, Squid and Cuttlefishes.
9.- Invertebrate.
A Mediterranean rocky shore area is presented in this tank, where two settings are shown: a sunny area and a shaded cove. Different types of invertebrates live in these areas: grey anemone, Leptogorgia samentosa, red coral, yellow coral, sunset cup coral and jewel anemone.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
