Life support systems and aquatic communities in public aquariums

Abstract

The Pangandaran Integrated Aquarium and Marine Research Institute (PIAMARI) was developed in Pangandaran, and is equipped with public aquarium facilities. The Main Aquarium is an oceanarium in the form of a box, with a volume of 1.238 million liters, and accommodates various marine biota. This paper aims to provide an overview of the life support system used and the aquatic communities in the Main Aquarium. An inventory of principal components and equipment, the composition of biota, plankton, and ectoparasites was conducted in the oceanarium. The Main Aquarium is supported by filtration using a sand filter, protein skimmer, and an ozone generator. Water quality is maintained using the filtration combined with partial water changes. There are nine species of fish, including sharks and rays, and two species of turtles that are kept in the oceanarium, where most of the collections are omnivores, with IUCN LC conservation status and the rest NT to CR. Seven plankton genera were identified in the oceanarium (H’:1.78 and E: 0.90). There was Cryptocaryon ectoparasite infestation on the gills and skin of Trachinotus blochii with open lesions. Fish collections show different behavior and consume the fresh and artificial feed. Apart from being an edu-tourism facility, the oceanarium can act as a place for living and ex-situ culture for endangered marine biota.