Feeds!

At the Seaquarium this week I was given the opportunity to target feed ray, baby shark, axolotl and the terrapins. I fed them either squid or chopped up fish using a large pair of tweezers. I attempted to target feed each individual of each of these species. If an individual didn’t want the feed I ensured that I didn’t leave the feed in the display to prevent the water becoming dirty. The technique to target feeding is to hold the food held by the tweezers slightly in front of the individuals face and allow them to choose whether to take it or not. I found most individuals within these species did take the food, however, the majority of the terrapins didn’t. I was reassured by one of the aquarists that this is not unusual for the terrapins at this time of year with the weather becoming colder.

During the day I spent time measuring out evening feeds for the inside aquarium tanks. In the evening I was then able to provide these feeds to the majority of the tanks. One of the aquarists Nat showed me how to correctly feed flakes. She told me that in order to give an even spread of flakes in each tank, you should scoop the cup holding the flakes in and out of the water which allow all fish the opportunity to eat.

After feeding species within the aquarium I was then given the opportunity to feed the African fur seals and harbour seals before they went either into their pens or night pool before the aquarium closes. The marine mammal trainer first brought the fur seals into their pens. Each seal has a pen of their own. On the door of each pen is a square hole were I was able to feed each of them their heron/mackerel. Gaz the trainer told me to feed them leading with the fish tail end first. I fed each of them by hand. One of elderly seals is blind so at times I had to call her name so she knew I was still trying to feed her. She was able to use her incredibly sensitive whiskers to detect where the fish I was feeding her was. 

After the fur seals were fed, Gaz brought the harbour seals into the nursery pool were they remain once the aquarium is closed. We both fed the seals by throwing the fish for them to catch. We had to try our best to ensure each seal got the feed measured out for each of them individually. Their feeds are measured out depend on their age and weight so each varies in grams. Once the seals were fed, Gaz ensured the seals were locked up safely ready for close.