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STINGRAYS. By Rachel White 7 th Period. Introduction. Mentor: David Houghton, Curator of Animals Site: Landry’s Aquarium at Kemah Boardwalk Project Topic: Stingrays in Captivity vs. Stingrays in the Wild Final Product/Tangible Item: Model of a Stingray Habitat and Model of a Stingray.
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STINGRAYS By Rachel White 7th Period
Introduction • Mentor: David Houghton, Curator of Animals • Site: Landry’s Aquarium at Kemah Boardwalk • Project Topic: Stingrays in Captivity vs. Stingrays in the Wild • Final Product/Tangible Item: Model of a Stingray Habitat and Model of a Stingray
How I Chose My Mentor • Over the summer, I went to a dolphin research center and I was interested in how it was run and how they took care of the dolphins • My neighbor is the head Marine Biologist for all of Landry’s • Over the break, I asked him if he could get me in touch with someone that could be my mentor • He got me in touch with my mentor
About the Aquarium • Their main attraction is the Stingray Reef, which allows guests to touch and feed the stingrays • First floor: cylinder tanks, S tanks, herps (reptiles), tower tank • Second floor: tower tank, dining room tank, J room • Third floor: tower tank, quarantine • There are also animals that aren’t on display, which are usually new or used for education
Frontosa From the Cichlid family Originate from Africa Freshwater fish Hump becomes more pronounced as they get older Hump present in both sexes Can be found in one of the S tanks www.theaquariumwiki.com
Yellow Discus Freshwater fish Very flat and very thin – about the size of your palm Slightly territorial when breeding Originate from South America Can be found in the quarantine tanks on the third floor www.forum.simplydiscus.com
Achilles Tang Saltwater fish Tangs are also known as Surgeonfish Aggressive toward other Tangs and Surgeonfish but calm around other fish Dorsal fin has a hard bone that is used in self-defense Can be found in the Tower Tank and the Dining Tank www.waterworld.pk
Piranha Freshwater fish Originate from South America Very aggressive; however, they rarely attack humans Very sharp teeth Can be found in cylinder tank by the restrooms next to the Stingray Reef www.de.wikipedia.org
Freshwater Stingray Freshwater fish Originate from South America Both freshwater and marine rays have two stingers; the new one grows in and the old one falls off Breed aggressively Freshwater rays are found in one of the S tanks www.blogs.thatpetplace.com
Behind the Scenes • Lab: their office, keeps all the equipment (necropsy tools, pH tester, microscope, etc.) • Dive Locker: wetsuits, oxygen tanks, masks • Food Prep: refrigerators, food, feeding schedule for all of the tanks and animals • Filter Room on First Floor: pipes, filters, a quarantine tank, the education animals • Filter Room on Third Floor: pipes, filters, several quarantine tanks
What I’ve Done With My Mentor • Toured entire Aquarium • Fed stingrays • Watched a necropsy on a red snapper • Learned about zoonosis and hybrid vigor • Observed a dive safety drill • Watched the feedings • Watched a water change • Observed the morning and afternoon checks
New Diving Mask Full face shield Mouthpiece that connects to oxygen tank Wireless microphone for diver to contact people above the surface of the water
Medications Used to treat fish in quarantine Rather than treat the fish individually, they treat the entire tank. This is also true in display tanks that have a bacterial infection.
Necropsy Kit Contains scalpels and other surgical equipment Used when performing a necropsy May not be used with larger fish, as they require larger knives (usually taken from food prep)
Thank You! • David Houghton, for being my mentor and teaching me so much about stingrays and marine biology • Jim Prappas, for helping me find my mentor • Mrs. Click, for giving me the opportunity to learn more about marine biology and stingrays • My family, for always being supportive
Works Cited • http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+831+841&pcatid=841 • http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+834+1548&pcatid=1548 • http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+43+325&pcatid=325 • http://www.animalplanet.com/fish/piranha-info.htm