A Monumental Exhibit - Waikiki Aquarium Pics

[A_Z]

Aloha everyone, I recently visited the Waikiki Aquarium and thought I would share some pictures for inspiration and creativity I know I went there to get ideas and to observe the beauty of the ocean, what I didn't expect was for it to change my plans for setting up a SW tank from FO to Reef it went after seeing some of those displays. These pictures were painstaking to take, 100s of pictures were taken for each of the ones shown, shooting moving fish is very difficult (as many of you know probably )

Approaching the aquarium is the banner that caught my eye showcasing a new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands exhibit. The fish is of course the endemic Masked Angelfish.

Moving along I saw a Copperband Butterfly Fish with some huge anemones.

The main "Reef tank" is stunning.

Male Squareback Anthias, I really love anthias

Large yellow damselfish who was getting cleaned by a Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse

One of the many beautiful reef tanks with live corals.

a striking Lionfish being cooperative and posing for picture

Dragon Moray Eel, neat starfish too

Now onto some really cool stuff. Here is one of the three Northwestern Hawaiian Island Displays. This is a FOWLR that houses a male and female Masked Angelfish as well as a Japanese Dwarf Angelfish.

Female Masked Angel

 

[A_Z]

Next to this display was a Deepwater Hawaiian reef display, so cool. The lighting was very very dim. There was a wire coral and some nice fish. The aquascape was like a lave rock ledge that went from top to bottom. One of the coolest exhibits there. Very difficult to capture a picture of this display here is the best one I could get of a Yellow Anthias and Orangemargin Butterfly fish pair.

Now for the finale the last exhibit was the main Northwestern Hawaiian Island tank, massive with live corals, shame I couldn't identify the endemic ones.

General pic

Masked Angel and some corals (no ID here maybe someone else can chime in?)

One of the many Masked angelfish in the display, the male did not cooperate Amazing to see these fish in person and something I will never forget.

Finally walking outside I saw their Giant clam tank, rimless infinity overflow tank, gorgeous and tranquil.

Well thanks for bearing with me and my photo shooting

 

[lordofthereef]

Is there lighting above the clams or is it all natural sunlight?

 

[A_Z]

Is there lighting above the clams or is it all natural sunlight?

No lighting fixtures just natural sunlight. Same for the SPS prop tank outside display.

 

[lordofthereef]

Man I am jealous. What a wonderful place to live/enjoy the hobby. Thanks for sharing!

 

[A_Z]

Man I am jealous. What a wonderful place to live/enjoy the hobby. Thanks for sharing!

No problem if you happen to visit be sure and take a look there is some neat ideas they have, they have full on surges in the reef tanks where several hundred gallons are pumped in on a timer from the sea.

But too bad all corals are illegal to own/import save for the non reef building ones and only locally found soft corals.