Dingle Aquarium

I went down to Dingle on Saturday and went to the Aquarium down there. Its a nice spot and in fairness would be a very good day out for a family as the entrance fee for the day allows you to go in and out as often as you like. I went with my gf and she liked it also.Now firstly I apologise for the pics quality,the camera started acting up when I turned it on,and the memory card was full,the other memory card was bust so lots of confusion,but I salvaged what i could.
So the entrance has a nice round tube shape tank,plenty big enough.It goes up to the roof.(Hard to describe),There were some unusual species in the tank,it must of been marine I think.
Here is a close up of one of the species in the first tank.


So as you move further into the aquarium,there are some nice freshwater tanks with the usual tetras,few bleeding hearts,a small hole in the wall with magnifying glass and you get to see some nice guppies!
There is one large tank also that holds some nice big fish,a few pacu,some nice large catfish,piranha's.It was feeding time when I went to it and it was a frenzy!Was good to see all types of differnt foods being offered,from bloodworm right down to carrotts and pea's!

There was a tank full of colourful cichlids,not an expert on them but here's a pic of them.


Of course one of the reason I went there was to see a tank full oNeolamprologus brichardi.There is a tank of them and there are fab.Also some catfish and pleco's in there.Took a few pics and a video.

After that section there is an excellent section,with some rays and skate,the rays actually come up to you and you are allowed to pet them.While the staff show you up close some of the starfish and box crabs.
I actually like a tank which contained prawns and some rock fish.It was nice as its not often you get to see these species in tanks imo. The Rock pool was also nice,with a nice motion to it to stimulate waves,and some of the Irish species were in that tank.

Of course the more impressive tanks to those in the tourism side of viewing,would be the master tank with sharks.Its a mighty impressive tank, with some nice reef sharks and a gorgeous big turtle.(loggerhead turtle I think).


There is also a narrow glass ocean tunnel that you can walk through.Dogfish,and the like are present and its nice but the tank could of been more exciting but perhaps it was just quite for the fish!

There is also a marine seciton,with the nemo fish for the kids,only 3 or 4 clowns unfortunately but some lovely other marine fish present,which had a fun feel to it,albeit it looked slighty fake imo.There was a very impressive cow fish however that took my eye.



So all in all,its a good day,there was a few books also on fish in the gift shop,but really the selection was poor and could of been more detailed and varied.That said,it was a good visit,Id recommend it to anyone.

Gavin

Nice write up mate,havnt had the luck to get down there yet,but do hope to.

great review gav,its on the to do list to visit there

Also forgot to mention,there was one tank with silver dollars if my memory is correct,which was infected with popeye.It was only the left eye of the species which was effected. There was a sign up advising people of it, and that they were unsure why it had occured,possible stress from people rubbing the tank glass was citied but unlikely.The notice went on to explain that they are being treated by anitbiotics and that the fish are still eating and are not at risk.

Thought it was good that the notice was there,it wasnt a small notice either. The seahorses in the place didnt look very impressive at all,think Kealan will have to go down there for a bit to fix that bit up!

Gavin

Very good review and a very nice way to spend a couple of hours. I think this aquarium is a very good one considering how isolated it is (fine for getting native marine species and water but try getting supplies and trops to dingle).
The one thind that did disappoint slighty the last time I was there, and is still the case judging by your photos is the blood parrot cichlids in the "mbuna" tank.

Yes you are correct,there was at least 1 blood parrott in their and I said it to herself as soon as I spotted it.

fairplay for sharin yer experience in Dingle, looks a good little day out with the kids..........cheers....