Eel Feed - 11.00am (alternates with Flatfish)
Southern Encounter Aquarium displays approximately 18 shortfin and longfin eels commonly found throughout New Zealand.
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When the diver enters the tank you will be treated to a great view of these wonderful animals. See them tear their food from the divers hands then seek strokes and caresses on their soft smooth skin as they thread themselves around him. |
Flatfish Tank Feed - 11.00am (alternates with Eel)
This tank contains numerous species found around New zealands coastal waters. Commonly displayed species include kahawai, snapper, scorpionfish, butterfish, red rock lobster and huge packhorse lobster.
This top-feed provides a spectacular opportunity to closely observe some of the shyest species in the tank as they emerge to feed. Fish will appear almost magically from concealment in the gravel and rocks to take tasty morsels. |
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Trout and Salmon Feed - 1.00pm
We have many species of salmonids on display including strikingly coloured Rainbow Trout and Brook Char as well as dappled Atlantic and Sockeye Salmon.
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These fish are fed a special pellet meal which provides the opportunity for visitors to participate in feeding these beautiful fish with the aquarist. See the water "boil" as the fish race for the pellets you drop into the water. |
Main Marine Tank Feed - 3.00pm
This tank is the largest display in the aquarium and contains numerous species including seven-gill sharks, carpet sharks, school sharks, stingrays and groper.
Our aquarist will dive in the tank to hand feed the animals providing visitors with outstanding views. As the animals approach the diver to eat they will display many of the features that make them such special creatures. |
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Touch Tank
In this single tank we have assembled many of the most bizarre creatures commonly seen on the rocky shores of the Canterbury coast. Selected especially to provide an introduction to the classification of marine species the Touch Tank is an opportunity not to be missed.
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Feel the silky smooth skin of the Ducks-Bill Limpet, the spiny test of a Sea Urchin, or the sticky tentacles of a Sea Anemone. Watch the frenzied paddling of a Paddle crab or the slow meander of different sea snails as they make their way through the tank. |
Brass Rubbings
Throughout the Aquarium are special brass plates engraved with a variety of sea life that children can "rub" with a crayon to produce wondeful pictures and the answers to the included quiz! (Brass Rubbings Quiz Books are an additional cost)
Movie Theatre
Our movie theatre continuously screens four purpose made movies about New Zealand wildlife. One movie deals specifically with our unique icon the Kiwi, whilst the other three investigate Marine Mammals, Birds of the Sea and Under Fiordland.
