AQUASEARCH AQUARIUM
The Aquasearch Laboratory and Aquariote that um also includes consultancies and aquaculture trainin. NOte that raining and tours are now ARCHIVED. It was given a permit to operate by the Townsville City Council (TCC) in 1998. It is the only facility on Magnetic Island for viewing a marine display. We are curretly closed from 26 January to 15 February 2024 ater damage from cyclone Kirrilee on 26 January.
The renovated tanks (fibreglass repairs and new windows - late 2005, early 2006) in the marine display are what remains of the once popular 'Sharkworld' which was at Nelly Bay beach where Base Backpackers is currently located.
Hard and soft corals, coralliomorphs, anemones, trochus, and a variety of coral reef fish are in the marine display.
Along with the marine display tanks is an area for breeding of marine anemonefish and selected freshwater fish.
The facility includes microscopes and a Live Foods section. Freshwater and some saltwater fish, as well as basic aquarium supplies are for sale here for clients who make an appointment. Click on the following YouTube links to see short videos.
ABOVE: Partial view of Aquasearch Aquarium marine display. The renovated tanks (fibreglass repairs and new windows - late 2005, early 2006) in the marine display are what remains of the once popular 'Sharkworld' which was at Nelly Bay beach where Base Backpackers is currently located.
TOURS
For more information, visit our Educational Tours page.
Aquasearch Aquarium Video For Children
Magnetic Island, Australia 2015
Aquasearch Aquarium Giant Clams and Clownfish
Magnetic Island, Australia 2015
Aquasearch Aquarium Display 8, 9 & 13
Magnetic Island, Australia 2013
AQUACULTURED GIANT CLAMS AT THE AQUARIUM
ABOVE: The giant cams Tridacna gigas can now be seen in the Magnetic Island Snorkel Trails.
Specimens of Tridacna gigas* were spawned in mid-January 1986 Dr Rick Braley at Seafarm Pty. Ltd., Flying Fish Point (near Innisfail), North Queensland. Over the years they have been a feature of the Aquasearch Aquarium and were used as a part of the biofiltration of this aquarium. By 2019 no live giant clams remained in the tanks as they are too large to be removed from the ocean and placed in the display tanks.
On 13 June 2013 a selection of these 30 year old (80 kg) cultured Tridacna gigas, were moved into the Magnetic Island Snorkel Trails which Dr. Braley designed and setup for TMI (Tourism Magnetic Island).
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The logistics of moving them were difficult. aving some clams on the northern side of the island and some on the SE side would be the best way to protect the clams from a damaging cyclone likely to hit one side more severely than the other side. This was one reason for the translocation of this cohort of giant clams into the two Magnetic Island Snorkel Trails.
*This is a threatened species listed by IUCN and CITES.
SOLAR POWER AT THE AQUARIUM
In late May 2008 Ergon Energy implemented a solar panel program called 'Solar Cities' on Magnetic Island, where businesses and households offered to host solar panels for free as part of the trial program. Aquasearch Aquarium was one of the many businesses that took up the offer. At the end of the program in 2014 the solar panels were purchased from Ergon Energy.
LAMINATED TROPICAL PHOTOS FOR SALE
A6 or A4 size laminated photos, with description of the photo on the back.
A6 = AUD $3 per photo or 2 for $5.
A4 = AUD $6 per photo or 2 for $10.
PAYMENT
You can pay by cheque or postal money order if you are ordering from Australia. Contact us or mail your payment directly to our address at:
6-10 Elena Street, Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island, Queensland 4819 AUSTRALIA
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The cost of mailing the photos to you will be added to this. Low resolution examples of some of the photos available are shown below: