BIG FISH AS PETS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28268, 4 May 1957, Page 6

BIG FISH AS PETS

Sharks, Rays, Barracuda

[By PETER WOODRUFF] In the “Biggest Fish-bowl” in the world sea monsters are fed by hand, and dolphins have almost as much fun as they would at sea. The first “oceanarium” ever devised was established on the coast of Florida by W. Douglas Burden and Ilya Tolstoy, grandson of the author of “War and Peace.”

The idea of this marine studio—for that in effect is what it is, was to make possible a kind of aquarium where various species of big fish need not be separated, and so their habits could be studied at first hand. The “studios” consist of two tanks: one rectangular, and about 100 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 18 feet deep; the other circular, 75 feet in diameter, and about 11 feet deep. They are connected by a central channel, and have many passage-ways with windows through which the general public can watch the fish. And they like to watch them! The story of the “oceanarium” is told in “Window in the Sea,” by Ralph Nading Hill, published by Victor Gollancz (London).

Many of the giant fish in the “oceanarium” are fed more or less “by hand,” by skilled attendants who wear diving outfits.

Between four and five million gallons of sea water circulate throughout the two tanks every day, ensuring that the giant fish have the one main thing that is mostly essential to them in captivity. The designers of the “oceanarium” of necessity, had to make their aquarium of more than ordinarj' interest to the public because the cost of establishing it was colossal. Therefore, they had to provide man-eating fish, such as sharks. But as a general rule, sharks die after a few days in captivity because they cannot withstand the nervous shock which follows their swallowing of a bait. Caught by Drugs So a new drug was used, known as Evipal, and a harpoon designed which penetrated the shark’s skin sufficiently to enable it to be brought aside one of the fishingboats, but did not injure it enough to cause death. The harpoon, as it struck, injected a dose of the drug, sufficient to keep the brute quiet until it could be moved to the “oceanarium”

It was not long before in addition to sharks, ’ bottle-nosed dolphins, loggerhead turtles, rays, barracuda, gropers, and many other fascinating and terrifying sea creatures were living in apparent peace and comfort. The problem of keeping the fish satisfied in captivity was a most difficult one. For example, game fish are difficult to keep in a tank: marlin and sail-fish in particular love to race at great speed through the open sea. Finally, however, the problems were solved one by one: food was another headache, but presently many unique species were living side by side. One of the best sections of this well-written book is that devoted to porpoises; swift, spirited, and intelligent, who love to play with a rubber x ball or a rubber ring: and who show the liveliest curiosity and imagination in everything they do. It was at this “oceanarium” that experiments were successfully carried out during World War II to find a shark-repellant which would give the airman, shot down into a tropic sea, a chance of life. Porpoise Talk The heads of the “oceanarium” found that porpoises communicate using a wide range of sound. They use different intensities of whistling to indicate emotion or excitement. One of their most common sounds resembles the opening and Closing of a giant rusty hinge! Mona is one of the oldest porpoises in the giant aquarium. She is described as a “buxom, goodnatured blonde, with an exaggerated sense of humour, who delights in knocking the divers flat on their backs when they enter the tank with their feeding-bas-kets.” Mona is the only porpoise In captivity who has a child and a grandchild Jjprn in a tank. Porpoises, like all mammals, take only cat-naps, and their eyes are seldom closed for more than a few seconds at a time. They are not exactly a child’s plaything, as they average more ’ than eight feet in length, and weigh about a quarter of a ton! Happy Flippy One of the most astonishing stories of porpoises is that of Flippy, who was trained by Adolf i Frohn, a noted animal act “star” r of the American circus.

It took Frohn three years to train the porpoise at a cost to the “oceanarium” sponsors of £ASOO a month. But it proved a worthwhile speculation. Flippy learned to ring a bell at the word of command, honk a motor-horn, catch a football throv/n 50 feet away, raise a flag on a pole, and jump through a hoop. He also learned to tow a small boat carrying a little girl and a dog. Australia also has an “oceanarium” in a small way. It is situated at Green Island, about 16 miles from Cairns, and is a coral cay.

During the season, tourists delight in watching the fish it contains, but it has not, I gather, been used to provide any data regarding Australian fish, although it has provided many opportunities for magnificent underwater fish photography. Associated Newspapers’ Feature Service.