Fish expert Undine Riemann notes exactly how many animals she sees Photo: Ralf Gunther
By Pauline von Pezold
Even a large aquarium needs to take stock: Sea Life in Berlin-Mitte is happy to have more fish in the tropical tank – which is partly due to the Aquadom, which burst in December.
Sea Life had to remain closed for five months after the large wave that swept out of the exploded aquarium in the neighboring Hotel Dom Aquarée also damaged the shop. The underwater world has only been open to visitors again since May.
16 Berlin students help with the inventory Photo: Ralf Gunther
In order not to lose track of the 124 species, all animals in Sea Life are recorded once a year. 16 third-class children have now been invited to help count seahorses or larger fish. Schooling fish, which are more difficult to quantify, are estimated by photo.
124 species of fish are at home in Sea Life Photo: Ralf Gunther
“There are no big surprises to be expected,” says aquarist Undine Riemer. The inventory only ensures that nothing has changed and that no animal has died unnoticed.
2987 animals live in Sea Life Photo: Ralf Gunther
In the tropical basin, however, there was growth. About 300 green swallowtails have found a new home there, which previously swam in an aquarium below the burst Aquadome (most of the 1500 fish died). This increases the population at Sea Life to 2987 animals.