Curator, Todd German,said the count began a couple of weeks before New Year and took several days. He said: “I think zoos have got it easy! We probably have more animals, there are fish, corals and many more. To count the larger shoals, we take photos and try to count them from different angles. In truth, most tanks are easy because we know who’s in there. But a few times we’d go back thinking, I didn’t see that fish, and sure enough, we’d get there and see them hiding in the corner.”
The centre’s largest habitat, the 160,000 litre Ocean Tank, is currently home to 162 fish, while the Quayside Tank is home to 132. Mr German said: “Doing the count helps us to improve our animal husbandry. Overall, the total fish count is 2,300, that’s everything including corals, jellyfish, fish and crustaceans."
9. Going swimmingly! Taking stock at Sea Life Scarborough
A common octopus collects food from one of the feeding tubes in the tank Photo: Richard Ponter
10. Going swimmingly! Taking stock at Sea Life Scarborough
The lookdown fish take centre stage in one of the tanks Photo: Richard Ponter
11. Going swimmingly! Taking stock at Sea Life Scarborough
Amy German at the jellyfish tank Photo: Richard Ponter
12. Going swimmingly! Taking stock at Sea Life Scarborough
Amy German checks the main tank and numerous species. Photo: Richard Ponter