Whether you’re exploring the Great Barrier Reef or the Amazon Reef, butterfly fish are one of the most commonly spotted creatures in our tropical habitats. With their beautiful array of colours, patterns and sizes, they’re popular with experts, scuba divers and aquarium visitors alike. Let’s celebrate this fish with an in-depth fact file including everything … Continued

Geckos are among the most fascinating reptiles on the planet, with their adaptations being the focus of studies across the globe. Found across most environments (except Antarctica!), these colourful creatures are sure to make you fall in love with their quirky behaviours and wonderous adaptations. Whether you’re curious about the gecko lizard’s sticky toes or … Continued

Colourful, quirky, and full of surprises, boxfish are some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures. At Hastings Aquarium, boxfish are some of our most visited fish because of their striking colours, patterns, and pouting expression. There’s more than meets the eye with the boxfish, though. So, let’s embark on a journey of discovery about these … Continued

Most of the time in the media, there’s a strong focus on the larger marine animals  of the world, like Great White Sharks, Killer Whales, and Giant Manta Rays. These large animals, while beautiful, fascinating, and well worthy of discussion, have had enough of the spotlight! At Hastings Aquarium, we want to celebrate the smaller … Continued

Hastings Aquarium is home to an incredible array of marine life, with species from across the globe decorating our huge tanks. Among the many fascinating residents we have, the pufferfish stand out as some of the most intriguing creatures. Known for their unique defence mechanisms and vibrant appearances, pufferfish are a favourite among our guests, … Continued

Across the animal kingdom, there are an incredible amount of different classifications of animals that vary wildly, from furry mammals to scaly reptiles.  Classifications are broken into two broad groups, vertebrates and invertebrates, that get gradually more specific. Today, we’re going to be looking at a phylum of invertebrates called arthropods. We’re going to delve … Continued

Many different species use venom as a survival technique, usually to defend themselves against predators. Venom are delivered through the likes of a bite, sting, spines or even claws. Snakes and jellyfish are probably the quickest  venomous animals that come to mind, but this defence and attack mechanism can be found in many other families … Continued

An aquarium is an incredibly special day out, helping visitors to delve under the water for a completely unique experience that sees people entering a new world of underwater exploration. Capturing this underwater world can help to create lasting memories for you to share with your family and friends, possibly spurring them to make a … Continued

When observing nature, it’s easy to see how different environments have played a role in certain adaptations which allow animals to thrive in the area that they’re in. For instance, giraffes developed long necks over millions of years because those with longer necks survived long enough to pass their genes on. The same can be … Continued

The world’s oceans are a treasure trove of biodiversity teeming with life. Creatures with unique traits and appearances inhabit the world’s oceans, from gentle giants like whales to the vibrant corals that form reefs, and the oceans brilliantly showcase just how diverse life on Earth can be. Among the many forms of marine life, echinoderms … Continued