Melbourne Aquarium Melbourne Aquarium

A male gentoo penguin has hatched, while at the same time, three of his older siblings have been sent to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium for their new penguin exhibit: https://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/news/penguin-movements,-a-family-affair/

 

Is the Australian population of gentoos & kings all descended from Kelly Tarlton stock?

 

That is correct (scroll down in this thread for further information: Exotic Birds in Australia).

 

There's no Australian Ghostshark at the aquarium anymore.

 

The temporary exhibition section next to the touch pool is currently hosting the jurrasic seas exhibit which has been touring some of the other Australian sealifes recently. It includes a surprisingly large number of tanks for a temporary exhibition in this space. Species on exhibit are epaulette shark, crown of thorns starfish, mudskipper, pig nosed turtle, saratoga and a tank with some assorted fish which was unsigned and I could not identify.

 

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium has received two Flatback Sea Turtle. They came from Curtis Island in Queensland.
FlatbackTurtles

 

SEA LIFE Melbourne will open a $1.5 million jellyfish exhibit called Ocean Invaders in December. This area will include species such as Blue Blubber, Sea Nettle, Upside-down Jellyfish and Lion’s Mane Jellyfish.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium set to launch new $1.5 million jellyfish exhibit - Australasian Leisure Management

 

Six Dainty Tree Frogs (Litoria gracilenta) arrived from Sea Life Sunshine Coast a few months ago. They are now on display in the rainforest zone. From their Facebook page:

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

 

More frogs for SEALIFE Melbourne

I didn't know they had this species but by dissecting this statement which was posted on their facebook page along with a picture of this new frog species

This tiny, dwarf bicolour tree frog is only about 1cm long

It is safe to assume that the Aquarium has obtained the Northern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria bicolour).

 

SEALIFE Melbourne has acquired two notable new species, the first being the Tassled Anglerfish (Rhycherus filamentosus) which is appears to be in a new exhibit (unsure of the section although the theming looks like either predators or seahorse pier) and the second inhabits the Stingaree tank in Mangroves, although the tank has had crabs before never ones this big, the Tasmanian King Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas). Both of these are viewable on a video on their Facebook page.


EDIT: the Tasmanian King Crab is an unreleasable rescue named Tony.

 

SEA LIFE Melbourne have successfully hatched several (unspecified number) Gentoo Penguin chicks

Article: Precious penguin chicks hatch in Melbourne!

 

A Boyd's Forest Dragon at Sea Life Melbourne has transitioned from female to male - apparently it's the first ever recorded case for this particular species

Full article: First recorded case of Boyd’s Forest Dragon sex change | SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

 

A King Penguin has successfully hatched at SEA LIFE Melbourne. The aquarium have been producing king penguin chicks every year since the first one hatched in 2013 (nine years in a row so far): Log into Facebook | Facebook

 

Would you know the numbers of Penguins all up?

 

King and Gentoo Penguin Numbers in the Australasian region:

Sea Life Melbourne has approximately 55 penguins (number includes both species).

Sea Life Sydney has 34 penguins (7 kings and 27 gentoos).

Sea World Gold Coast has 42 penguins (17 kings and 25 gentoos).

Sea Life Kelly Tarltons, NZ has just over 70 penguins (number includes both species).

So approximately 200 penguins across the four facilities that house both the King and Gentoo Penguins in Australasia.

 

Thanks @WhistlingKite24 . Thats a nice number, From what I recall Seaworlds penguin exhibit cost 12 million.

 

An update on a very special species at Sea Life Melbourne - the Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus). The aquarium have finally managed to sex the five individuals they have under their care as 1.4. At the end of 2020 the fish laid infertile eggs, certainly a step in the right direction.

Full article: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium lends a helping hand to a critically endangered fish | SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

 

Six King Penguins have hatched at Melbourne - their most successful breeding season to date. Information from their social media page.

 

Four Eastern Water Skinks have arrived at the aquarium and been placed on-show in the rainforest area. Information from their social media page.

 

Sea Life Melbourne have made history by breeding the critically endangered Spotted Handfish - a first. The offspring produced at the aquarium in January 2022 were monitored for a year and are now on show in Seahorse Pier: Aquarium breeds endangered handfish