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Dive into discovery: The Young Biologist Course inspiring tomorrow’s marine scientists
Are you in Grade 10 and fascinated by the ocean’s mysteries? Do you dream of exploring marine ecosystems, studying sea creatures, and helping protect our oceans? If so, the Young Biologist Course sponsored by De Beers is your perfect first dive into the world of marine science!
Exploring ocean careers at the Two Oceans Aquarium
Have you ever visited the Two Oceans Aquarium and wondered what it’s like to work with sharks, penguins, and other incredible ocean animals? For our team, their passion for the ocean actually started long before they began working at the Aquarium. In this Q&A, three staff members share the journeys that brought them here, delve into their roles at the Aquarium, and offer advice for aspiring marine careers.
Plunging into the Great African Seaforest: How does kelp impact us?
South Africa’s west coast is home to one of the most incredible kelp forest systems in the world: The Great African Seaforest. While roughly 25% of our blue planet is covered with kelp forests, many of these have experienced drastic declines over recent years as the ocean warms. Our Great African Seaforest is one of the few that have not wilted in the face of climate change – with this in mind, is it not crucial that its stewards appreciate its value and know how best to conserve it for future generations?
Adults interested in volunteering at the Aquarium, this one is for you!
We have a little something for the adults who are interested in volunteering at the Aquarium.
Orbicular batfish
The orbicular batfish is a large, disc-shaped fish with a flattened dusky silver body. Its anal and dorsal fins are symmetrical, giving the adult batfish a spade-like appearance. Its dorsal, anal and tail fins are translucent yellow with black margins, and its pectoral fins are yellow.
Bluefin gurnard
Bluefin gurnards are a common bottom-dwelling fish throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Their colouring may seem drab and unimpressive, camouflaging them will with the seafloor - until it spreads its brilliant blue pectoral fins, from where it draws its name.Just in front of these fins, you might notice that it appears to have a set of little “legs” that helps it creep along. These are not actually legs, they are modified rays of its fins, which the gurnards use to stir up the sand to find prey – small crustaceans. They are predators that feed on small crabs and shrimp.Gurnard's bodies are long and compact, with armoured, bone-plated heads.Sergeant major
The sergeant majors are small, oval damselfish. It has a grey body with a yellow dorsal area.
Steentjie
The steentjie (Spondyliosoma emarginatum) is a blue-grey fish that has an oval-shaped body with several faint yellow horizontal stripes on its flanks and dark blue-grey fins. It has several sets of both incisors and a row of molars. They use this combination of teeth to pick up bottom-dwelling invertebrates and crush their shells. As they mature they become more omnivorous and will graze on algae. During spring and summer months, male steentjies will take on brighter blue and yellow colours and will construct nests in the sand. Once spawning has taken place, the males will remain at the nest to guard the eggs until they hatch. The steentjie occurs in large shoals above shallow, rocky reefs on the coasts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
Hottentot
The hottentot is a small bronze-grey seabream with small dark fins that occurs along the coast of Angola, Namibia, and the South African West Coast to Cape Point.
John brown
The janbruin is a robust-bodied sea bream with an orange-brown body and deep blue eyes set into a blue-brown face.
Dassie
The dassie is a deep-bodied, oval-shaped fish with a silver body, black patch on its tail peduncle and red-pink tint to the tips of its fins. Juveniles also have several dark vertical bars on each side.
Panga Fish
The panga (Pterogymnus laniarius) is pink with horizontal stripes made up of small blue spots on its sides. It has a prominent mouth with fleshy lips and large canines. These canines help it to prey on small crustaceans, squid and other small fish. Small hairs on its lips allow it to feed over soft sediment without swallowing any. It inhabits rocky reefs and sandy bottomed shores along the coast of southern Namibia and South Africa.