As of today, the process of closing down the Ocean Basket Kelp Forest Exhibit for maintenance and upgrades has begun. This is an exciting challenge for the Two Oceans Aquarium – moving the inhabitants of an exhibit that has been open continuously for 21 years is no small feat, but here’s how we did it.

Photo by Steve Benjamin/Animal Ocean

Catching hundreds of fish:

From the massive white steenbras to the tiny southern mullet, the Ocean Basket Kelp Forest Exhibit has over 200 inhabitants – who all deserve the best care and respect. Our trained curatorial team, divers and veterinarians are up to this task, and began the big move early on the morning of 3 May 2017.

There is something spooky about a kelp forest with no kelp. A reminder of how precious and fragile nature’s ecosystems are.

The first step of this process was removing the kelp to improve visibility for the divers. A solution of anaesthetic was then added to the water.

Photo by Steve Benjamin/Animal Ocean

This was not to knock the fish unconscious, but rather to make them calm and lethargic so that they would not resist being caught in nets and stretchers by the dive team.

Our dive team gently remove the now sedated fish using padded stretchers. This white steenbras is on its way to a new temporary home.

Large fish, such as the steenbras, were caught and moved using a special stretcher, while smaller fish, such as fransmadam, were caught using nets and then transported in water-filled sacks as gently as possible.

On shore, veterinary staff assess the health of each animal and our curatorial team ensure each fish makes its way safely to its temporary home.

It was all hands on deck for us!

Photo by Steve Benjamin/Animal Ocean

Temporary new homes:

These fish are being temporarily re-homed around the Aquarium. Smaller species, such as dageraad and galjoen, can now be found swimming in the penguin pool outside the I&J Children’s Play Centre. White steenbras, Cape stumpnose and other large species will eventually be introduced to the I&J Ocean Exhibit, but for now are in quarantine. And lastly, many small fish will remain in quarantine until the exhibit reopens.

These zebra and galjoen are taking time to get to know their new surroundings - the penguin pool outside the I&J Childrens Play Centre.

It is an unfortunate reality that despite the Aquarium's strict quarantine procedures, parasites and illnesses do occasionally make their way into our exhibits. For one as old as the Ocean Basket Kelp Forest Exhibit, having this opportunity to have our veterinary staff examine each fish directly is a blessing.

Photo by Steve Benjamin/Animal Ocean

We will be able to ensure that our exhibits remain healthy, and going forward will be able to improve the quality of life for all our inhabitants.

This dageraad is being given a chance to slowly wake up to ensure it is in good health before being released into its temporary holding tank.

The Ocean Basket Kelp Forest Exhibit will be returning (we would never dream of taking away this old favourite), but will be undergoing a few small upgrades, changes and some maintenance.

We’ll keep you posted – but for now, our doors remain open to the public. Come have an experience that’ll last a lifetime.