Brand new creature feature - now
open!
The Tropical Bay of Rays area of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, houses
the most colourful combination of Australian rays - many threatened
or endangered - ever displayed together.
There are more than 600 species of rays
worldwide. Rays have adapted to survive in open oceans, shallow
reefs, deep continental shelves, estuaries and freshwater
environments.
Similar to sharks, rays have skeletons made out
of cartilage; they are identified by a flattened body with gills
found on the underside of their 'disc' (body) and vary
significantly in size - some rays, like the Manta Ray, can grow to
7m and weigh over 1300kg!
A variety of ray species call the new Bay of
Rays home, many of which are making their debut appearance at the
attraction.
It will be difficult to miss the electric blue
spots of the Fantail Rays and the Blue-spotted Maskray, and with
other species including the spectacular White-spotted Guitarfish,
the new tropical oasis is a sight not to be missed.
Many of the fish you see at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium feed on
fish in the wild. With sustainability of seafood a growing concern
we carried out an audit of the fish we feed our animals. All but a
couple of fish were deemed good choices based on recent fisheries
status reports. We're working on alternatives for those that are
classified as overfished in the wild. You can find out more at 'Fish for the Future'.
Meet some of the residents . . .