Shark School Success

SEA LIFE Sydney's grey nurse shark pup, Archie is reaching all milestones and is already over 1 meter!

To celebrate World Shark Day, there's no better time to share the incredible journey of Archie, SEA LIFE Sydney's grey nurse shark pup. Seven months after his historic birth, Archie continues to delight aquarists with his remarkable progress. The adorable yet mighty pup has grown from 74cm at birth to an impressive 104cm, that's a whopping 30cm growth spurt.

"Watching Archie develop has been absolutely incredible," said Emily Best, Aquarist and Resident Shark Expert at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. "He's not just growing physically; he's learning to be a proper shark!"

Behind the scenes in SEA LIFE Sydney's specialised nursery, Archie has started attending what can only be described as "shark school." His curriculum includes some fascinating lessons that would make any marine enthusiast jealous. Several times a week, scuba divers join Archie in the water, helping him become comfortable with human presence.

The team also introduces various objects into Archie's environment, teaching him that items of different sizes and colours are harmless. Perhaps most importantly, Archie is learning to stay calm during human contact. This training is vital for future veterinary check-ups and ensures his long-term health and wellbeing.

The next exciting challenge? Learning to swim through a hoop! While it might sound like a circus trick, this training serves a crucial purpose, preparing Archie to voluntarily swim into a sling for safe and stress-free veterinary examinations.

Archie's appetite has certainly kept pace with his growth. The young shark now devours 2-5 fish daily, and his teeth have grown noticeably larger since birth, a clear sign he's developing into an adolescent shark.

One of the most charming aspects of Archie's current appearance is his distinctive "freckles", the unique markings that appear only on grey nurse shark pups and will gradually fade as he matures.

“While visitors continue to marvel at the five adult grey nurse sharks in Shark Valley, Archie remains in his behind-the-scenes nursery where he is busy learning new and exciting skills at ‘shark school’. The young pup is growing well and will remain in our nursery behind the scenes until he is larger” said Emily Best, Aquarist at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium invites visitors to see their five adult grey nurse sharks in Shark Valley and follow Archie's journey through regular updates on their website and social media accounts.