Ocean Tank

Your visit to Hastings Aquarium simply isn’t complete without experiencing our Ocean Tank exhibit, home to a vast range of fascinating species that you can see up close! It’s the perfect environment to learn more about some of our incredible sea creatures, from impressive sharks to brightly coloured tang. So, what’s the Ocean Tank exhibit all about and what exactly will you find here? Let’s dive in…

What to expect at the Ocean Tank exhibit

Our Ocean Tank exhibit is a truly immersive experience, allowing you to walk through and marvel at some of our most exciting aquatic animals that might just swim right over your head! Our saltwater tank is home to over 300 sea creatures, with the water temperature sitting at 24-27 degrees to mimic their natural habitat.

Walk through the exhibit at your leisure and take in the many different fish that will be swimming past and above you. It’s a brilliant opportunity to see some of these species much closer than you can elsewhere, whether you’re fascinated by pufferfish or intrigued by triggerfish.

What species will you find in the Ocean Tank?

Home to over 300 animals, our Ocean Tank exhibit is the perfect place to see a diverse range of species in one place. Not only is Hastings Aquarium home to a number of sharks, but you can also see a whole host of tropical fish such as pufferfish, tangs, wrasse, triggerfish and more. It’s likely you’ll come across species you’ve never heard of it, as well as having the chance to learn something new about the species you’re already familiar with!

Here are just a few of the species you’ll find at our Ocean Tank exhibit, with some fascinating information to pique your interest…

• Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus): One of the most widely recognised species of shark thanks to its distinctive, black-tipped dorsal fin, the blacktip reef shark is typically found in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. They live in shallower waters and grow up to 1.5 metres in length.
• Stars and stripes pufferfish (Arothron hispidus): Also known as the white-spotted pufferfish, they have a distinctive pattern and yellow fins which makes them a fascinating species to look at. It has a toxin in its skin which it can release when stressed, but rest assured you’re safe on the other side of the glass!
• Regal tang (Paracanthurus hepatus): You’ll likely already recognise the regal tang, but seeing it up close is an incredible experience. Part of the surgeonfish family, they are found across the Indo-Pacific and aren’t afraid to defend themselves, thanks to a venomous spine that can be used against predators.
• Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator): Instantly recognisable, the emperor angelfish has blue and yellow stripes, with a dark stripe across its eye which is designed to confuse predators. This species live amongst the coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian oceans and can grow up to 40cm long.
• Harlequin sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides): Also known as clown sweetlips, this species is known for its striking colouration. Juveniles have a dusky red-brown body and large white patches, transforming into smaller spots on a paler body as they become adults. They use their lips to dig out invertebrates from the sand.

Who will enjoy the Ocean Tank exhibit?

Anyone interested in learning a little more about our world’s sea creatures will love the Ocean Tank exhibit, as it’s a unique opportunity to see them just on the other side of the glass! You could be nose-to-nose with our blacktip reef sharks, or have the chance to walk alongside our different tang fish as they swim.

So, whether you’re older or younger, you’ll have a great time exploring and expanding your knowledge about the different species.