Seahorse conservation
Seahorse Conservation and Breeding programme
The Seahorse breeding and conservation centre at SEA LIFE launched in 2007. The project, to breed and protect these beautiful sea creatures, is one of our major commitments to conservation.
Seahorses are sensitive creatures and are extremely vulnerable to pollution, changes in water quality, ocean storms, the loss off seaweed beds and human activity. Other dangers they face are being poached and collected by divers for home aquariums and being collected for use in alternative medicines.
Our work with seahorses has really struck a chord with our visitors as many people find the process of raising baby seahorses fascinating. A lot of people are amazed by the fact that some species have babies once a month!
When fry (baby seahorses) are produced we feed them microscopic food called rotifers which we have to grow as a culture. Once they are big enough the fry are ‘weaned’ on to artemia.
The success of our breeding program has meant that we have been able to raise fully grown fully grown seahorses and keep them here at SEA LIFE Birmingham. This ensures their survival as a species.
To get involved or enquire about helping us with our seahorse conservation programme at SEA LIFE, please email jane.smith@merlinentertainments.biz