
At eight in the morning, young aquarists troop into the Aquarist Lab, at Resorts World Sentosa's S.E.A. Aquarium, swiftly getting to their tasks after a brief morning meeting. They move with assured ease, speed and accuracy. A group of two or three darts among the tanks containing some 10 different sea jelly species, climbing up and down ladders in seconds to clean them and feed the sea jellies.
At another section of the lab, some work on cultivating phytoplankton and zooplankton for the sea jellies and other marine animals in the aquarium.
Yet others in the aquatic nursery concentrate on the breeding of sea animals like clownfish, and the banggai cardinal, among others.
Before the aquarium is opened to the public at 10am, the team will have wrapped up the first round of cleaning and feeding of the medusae, the mature jellies. The babies, or ephyrae, would also have had their first meal of the day.
Opened in 2023, the Aquarist Lab is a showcase of the aquarium's breeding programmes and live culture, of which 70 per cent is focused on sea jellies.
Four of the species bred – the moon jellies, white-spotted sea jellies, Atlantic sea nettles and the Pacific sea nettles – are on display in the aquarium.
These invertebrates have been around for 500 million years and there are at least 2,000 species of sea jellies, as they are called at the aquarium, instead of jellyfish. According to the aquarium's education guide, Mr Bryan Ang, 30, "a sea jelly is not a fish as it does not have fins, gills or scales, which are characteristics of most fish, hence, 'sea jelly' is more appropriate".
It's a term being used more now in the aquarium industry, he adds.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 06, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 06, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

What if someone mocks you as a 'diversity hire'?
In this series, manpower correspondent Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times' Headstart newsletter.

Is it the end of the road for HK's once-powerful opposition parties?
Some remain hopeful for negotiation room amid narrowing space for differing views

More Students Pick Up French, German Under Flexible Language Programme
Teenager Adam Jamari, who can already speak three languages, jumped at the chance to pick up a fourth in 2024 through a flexible language programme.

Safra members get 12 months' free insurance, other goodies for SG60
Free insurance for a year is among the slew of SG60 goodies for national servicemen and their families, as the nation celebrates its 60th year.

Safety tips to prevent fires when using power banks
Expert advice on what to look out for when buying such products, and how to use them

Niemann Eyes Major Win
Cool Chilean delivers bogey-free final round to collect second LIV Golf triumph this year

Five volunteers exposed to Covid-19 virus in first such study in S'pore
It is part of efforts to strengthen country's preparedness and response to diseases

2 S'pore Fintech Firms Have an Edge Amid Africa's Digital Payments Push
Having been in the continent for years, they stand to benefit as infrastructure takes shape
Are some parents doing their children a favour?
So many parents hanker after elite schools for their children?

Prada cuts ties with K-star Kim Soo-hyun
Brands are cutting ties with South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun, amid an ongoing scandal about the 37-year-old star allegedly dating late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.