Take the Undersea Adventure at Tynemouth by David Marshall

Focus on a Public Aquarium in North Eastern England:
Take the Undersea Adventure at Tynemouth

by David Marshall
This article first appeared in Ryedale Reporter, the monthly magazine of Ryedale Aquarist Society, North Yorkshire, England in August 2002
Aquarticles

You know the old saying 'The proof of the pudding is in the eating'? Having heard so many excellent reports, both in the regional press and through word of mouth, about the transformation of the Tynemouth Sea-Life Centre into the Blue Reef, Sue and I decided to make the trip north from our North Yorkshire home (roughly a 2 hour journey) and see this transformation for ourselves.

As you make your way through the door to the exhibits you are confronted by a large bow-fronted tank, immaculately planted and aquascaped, that is the only freshwater tropical exhibit in the building. The emphasis is on an array of colour, as opposed to a geographical theme, and the mixture of German Rams, several species of small Characins, Ancistrus and orange-yellow Platies meets this emphasis in a real eye-catching style.

Next comes a long but shallow tank home to native freshwater Rudd, Common Carp and Tench. This mixture certainly worked and all the fish were in immaculate condition.

We now move onto 'North Sea Coast'. Here there are around 10 display aquaria, which vary greatly in size and depth etc., that are home to a variety of aquatic creatures that include Lobsters, Crabs and Pipefish.

Highlight of this particular section is the Ray pool were several species of these magnificently camouflaged fish share their home with Smooth Hounds and some large shoaling fish species.

Next comes 'Warmer Waters'. Around 15 display aquaria, all tuned to different themes, contain a fantastic array of fish and other aquatic creatures from the Mediterranean. The most unusual display contained a Cuttlefish but this particular creature was not of the 'showy type' and kept itself clear of prying eyes by propelling itself from one hiding place to another.

My favourite display was 'Predators' which mixed species that included Lionfish, Blue Spotted Rays and a Black-Faced Pufferfish. As these particular fish were all youngsters they mixed very amicably but you just got the feeling that this may not be the case as they mature?

Finally comes the 'Sea of Cortez'. This is the centrepiece of the aquarium with a spectacular coral reef display housed within a gigantic 250,000-litre ocean tank (which used to hold North Sea Shark species in days gone by). Running through the centre of this tank is a walkthrough tunnel and never have we felt so close to tropical marine fish and with no conveyor belt to rush you through, and choosing a very quiet day on which to visit we just let the spectacle around us unfold.

Shoals of Fox Fish, Sgt. Majors, Finger Fish, Black Tip Sharks, Blue-Green Trumpet Fish and various 'single' Angel and Puffer species are all around you and over your head. The experience is stunning and matches any tropical marine display we have previously come across.

All of these fish are only youngsters and once they grow the spectacle should increase and even change as the species mentioned move from juvenile to full adult colouration.

The 'new owner' of this particular enterprise has kept the core of the Sea-Life display aquaria, removed and added others and changed many of the fish species and other aquatic life the Centre used to display. A fantastic job has been done, with not an ill or unhappy fish to be seen, plenty of information boards about the species to be viewed, displays so well thought out and aquascaping to the finest of detail.

Yes I have one grumble in that the gift shop display does not carry enough items of interest to the adult visitor.

The Blue Reef is located on the Grand Parade (next door to the Park Hotel), Tynemouth and U.K readers can obtain more information on 0191 258 1031.

We leave the last words on the Blue Reef to Sue - 'The transformation of this Centre is amazing. I loved the Cortez display as there is so much continual movement and fish you had not seen one minute are in front of your eyes the next. The display of colours in this display alone is unbelievable. If you are on holiday in the North East region of the U.K. or visiting friends etc. within an easy driving distance of Tynemouth it is worth making a special journey to visit the Blue Reef'.

Tynemouth (which is only a few miles away from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, North Eastern England) itself is also a lovely 'village' and the natural scenery, provided by the cliffs and seashore, around the Priory is a 'hidden treasure' of North East England. Front Street has some excellent eating places and one of the strangest of shops that is like a bizarre of glassware, children's mobiles, jewellery and exotic clothes. The beautiful scenery of Northumberland is a short drive away.

FUN TIME - Why are male Lionfish unable to use electric shavers? Because they have no mains.