Touch Tank

Ideally, we’d take everyone diving to experience the underwater world themselves! Unfortunately for them, this isn’t likely to happen. So, we take the underwater world to you! We think that everyone should be aware of the amazing aquatic and marine life in their own backyards. 

Collecting Marine Life

Being Sydney-based, we go out and collect a range of invertebrates from various sites around Sydney’s coast. We have a specialised set-up for the animals, as well as a license to collect and keep them for educational purposes. However we by no means encourage any touching, collecting or keeping of any marine animals or plants. Collecting is done by our experienced Marine Biologist, who knows which are the dangerous plants and animals and which aren’t. Just as important though, is the impact of taking marine life from natural environments. Taking just a few of any given species might disrupt the entire food web, resulting in some major and unpredictable results!

Safety

As mentioned, the animals in our Touch Tank are selected by our experienced Marine Biologist. We do not keep any poisonous or dangerous animals. If handled properly (gently), they are probably less dangerous than your pet pooch.

Respect

These are live animals. We do everything in our power to minimise their stress. If this includes restricting certain children from activities, we will do so. However we are aware that kids will be kids, and the species we keep are generally quite hardy. Respect is paramount.

Species List

Centrostephanus rodgersii – Spiny Sea Urchin, Black Sea Urchin, Common Sea Urchin

Heliocidaris erythrogramma – Purple Sea Urchin

Heliocidaris tuburculata – Tuberculate Sea Urchin

Patiriella calcar – Common Eight-Armed Sea Urchin

Polychaete Worm