The Chesapeake Bay Aquarium represents one of the most dynamic and seasonally diverse estuaries in the world. The Bay serves as the primary nursery grounds for many of the East Coasts most ecologically and commercially important species such as the striped bass, bluefish and red…
The Cypress Swamp is a recreation of vital and endangered wetland habitat. This two-story glassed-in exhibit features an entire community of fishes in a 25,000 gallon aquatic portion and a terrestrial portion that houses swamp animals amongst massive cypress and tupelo trees from red-headed woodpecker…
The Mountain Cove and Mountain Stream habitarium is a two-story living replica of Virginia’s upland habitats, complete with live birds, trees, many species of fishes, reptiles and amphibians. A two-story waterfall cascades into a pool filled with large brown trout and flows through a cross…
Lined seahorses Hippocampus erectus – Lined seahorses (Hippocampus erectus) are native to Virginia but local populations are in decline as they are throughout their range. Seahorses are very vulnerable to commercial fishery gear caught as by-catch, but they also have long been exploited and sold…
American eel Anguilla rostrata – The American eel undergoes one of the longest and fish migrations of any East Coast species. Adults travel thousands of miles from their natal spawning grounds in Virginia to the Sargasso Sea to spawn at great depths and then die….
The Beach Exhibit represents species commonly found near the surf zone of Virginia’s beaches. Most of these species such as the red drum are migratory and pass through from late spring to fall. Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulates – Croaker are one of the more…
Virginia once was covered by a shallow tropical sea as evidenced by the fossil record. Modeled after species once found here, our tropical reef exhibit is a recreation of coral and fish species that once thrived in a warm, sun-drenched sea. Colorful damsels and tangs…
Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus – This species is famous for its abilities to perfectly camouflage itself with its surrounding substrate, where it lies in wait to ambush its prey. Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus – Windowpanes resemble their flounder cousins, except they are generally smaller and broader,…
The James River is steeped in history and its story is woven directly into the fabric of America. Early colonists marveled at its riches and settled its banks to create our new country. The James has since been traversed for commerce, tamed by dams and…
Virginia is home to three species of trout: the rainbow, brown, and brook. The mountain streams, brooks and cool swift rivers of Virginia are the sources of cool clean waters that allow year-round populations of each species. However, the vast majority of Virginia trout are…