In the third section of the aquarium we leave the sunny skies of our botanical house and dive back in to the depths of the deep blue in our Ocean Floor zone! This extraordinary exhibit is dedicated to the weird and wonderful species that dwell in the cold and dark of the seabed.
When it comes to marine exploration, the ocean floor continues to serve up new discoveries and never-before-seen species. Aside from space, it really is the final frontier – a place where unique animals have evolved to survive in a seemingly inhospitable environment.
It’s this extraordinary marine habitat that provides the backdrop to the Ocean Floor exhibit at Bristol Aquarium. Look down upon our huge native display and see this spectacular tank from a whole new angle. Plus, take a look at our many smaller tanks, each filled with interesting species from the depths of the sea including lobsters, boarfish and our beautiful octopus!
Atmosphere
What is the Ocean Floor’s atmosphere like?
The Ocean Floor zone at Bristol Aquarium is dedicated to showcasing the myriad species that dwell at the bottom of our native sea beds – from the bull huss shark (Scyliorhinus stellaris) to the large Atlantic wreckfish (Polyprion americanus). Since these animals are accustomed to cold-water conditions that we humans simply couldn’t survive, our specialist aquaria tanks are maintained at a temperature of 8°C-17°C – mimicking the chilly conditions of the seafloor.
While 8°C might sound a tad uncomfortable, remember that bottom-dwelling species can cope with significantly colder water temperatures than us humans. Some native species actually produce a type of natural antifreeze to ensure that their blood keeps flowing in the freezing depths of the North Atlantic – just one way that these extraordinary animals have evolved to survive in the deep.
Who lives here?
Did you know scientists believe that over 90% of deep ocean-dwelling species remain unclassified?
Here at Bristol Aquarium, our skilled aquarists have done their best to present a diverse range of native deep-sea dwelling animals, all of which can be found residing in the depths of UK waters. Our Ocean Floor exhibit is home to 13 unique species, including large fish like the bull huss shark (Scyliorhinus stellaris) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) that swim in our main UK native tank.
Elsewhere in the exhibit, a series of auxiliary tanks serve to house a number of other deep-sea dwelling species, including the beloved common starfish (Asterias rubens) and spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas).
Incredible octopus!
The real star of the show here is our common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) who resides here in a specially built tank.
These fascinating creatures have three hearts and nine brains. They can change the colour of their body to blend into their environment and as well as their eight impressive arms they possess a special venom they can use to incapacitate their prey!
Due to their incredible camoflauging ability they can be hard to spot. The best time to see our octopus and learn more about their incredible biology is at our daily 3pm talk where you can also see them get their dinner.
Here’s a closer look at some of the fascinating marine creatures to be found on the Ocean Floor…
Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
Did you know? Although they are highly skilled hunters and survivalists, common octopuses have a natural life span of only around 1-2 years?
Accessibility
Ocean Floor, like all areas of Bristol Aquarium, is fully accessible to those with mobility issues, including wheelchair users. To find out more, please visit our accessibility page.
Info
Who would enjoy the Ocean Floor exhibit?
Whether you’re fascinated with elusive bottom-dwellers or simply love discovering new, native species – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Ocean Floor. Our vast seafloor-inspired main tank offers a new perspective on the creatures within, while our smaller tanks help showcase some of the most unique and highly-prized members of the Ocean Floor family.