Large fish are rarely moved. Many of the Aquarium’s staff turned out to observe the event.
- Divers get ready to jump into the 50 degree Isle Royale tank.
- Divers consult with senior aquarists pre-dive on the plan to remove the sturgeon from the tank.
- Divers wrap the fish in a wet towel to get a better grip. It takes six people to lift a writhing 50 lbs. fish out of the water.
- Staff gently ease her from a net into a hauling tank. The water in this tank was treated with a mild sedative to minimize stress on the fish.
- The fish is transported on wheels two stories down to holding/animal care center.
- Husbandry staff examine the sturgeon once in holding.
- A second lift moves the fish from the transport tank to a holding tank.
- The sturgeon will remain in this tank for two weeks while husbandry staff treat and monitor her.this is
It was a big job that took nearly half our staff and much care. Yesterday, Great Lakes Aquarium divers and aquarists moved one of our big lake sturgeon from Isle Royale Tank 1 to holding*. Staff members were concerned about signs of infection in the fish. She was under observation all night and is now being treated, with medicated food, for a common parasite. Moving a fish of this size is a monumental and unusual undertaking at the Aquarium. We photographed the journey to give you an insider’s look at this rare event.
(*holding is another term for our animal care center, which is not on exhibit)
