The Exotarium at Zurich Zoo
By David Marshall
A re-write of an article which first appeared in the September 2002 edition of Ryedale
Reporter, the monthly magazine of Ryedale Aquarist Society, North Yorkshire, England
Aquarticles
Towards the end of July 2002 Sue and I spent several enjoyable days in and around Zurich,
were we found much of aquatic interest that included two excellent aquatic retail outlets
(which were 'paradise' for those who love Rift Valley Cichlids, Corydoras, Puntius
and Botia species) and a public park with fantastic Goldfish ponds.
As I felt that our visit to the Zurich Zoological Gardens would make interesting
reading have put together this small report. Tram number 6, which you catch close to the
Hauptbanhof (Main Railway Station) takes you on the 20-minute ride towards the Zoo with an
easy gradient ten minute walk, with lovely surroundings, from the stop to the entrance
gate.
Not as large as many of its fellow Zoological Gardens on the European Mainland but what
is lacked in quantity is certainly made up for in the quality of exhibits. Some of the
naturally landscaped mammal enclosures were so well presented that even a straining of the
eyes could not reveal the creatures they contained and young mammals were to be found
around every corner.
Although Goldfish can be found in many of the moats surrounding the mammal enclosures,
with a large tank close to the Hippopotamus exhibit displaying European freshwater fish,
the real aquatic section (which I am told forms the second largest Public Aquarium in
Switzerland) is housed on the ground floor of the Exotarium.
Twenty two tanks, of various sizes and dimensions, are split between tropical
freshwater (14), brackish (1), Goldfish (1) and tropical marine exhibits (6). What you
will find here are no walk through tunnels or gimmicks just a 'basic' collection of
biotope and beautifully aquascaped exhibits with fish of excellent quality that are well
fed and cared for.
The largest number of catfish, in the form of a shoal of young Pangassius sutchi,
were to be found in the Asian biotope. Their companions in the exhibit were a shoal of
young Tinfoil Barb, a couple of Black Shark and a number of mature Clown Loach (the
largest of their kind I have seen in many a year) with various combinations of body
markings. Main decor was a network of Mopani wood and it was interesting to watch the
Black Sharks chew at leaves, which had entered the water surface from a mass of plants
above the waterline.
The cichlids in the South American biotope were a sight to behold and consisted of four
large Red Devils in the company of a huge shoal of Cichlasoma bifasciatum, which
ranged from youngsters through to fully grown adults. To add to the interest an extremely
large Red-Tailed Catfish (Phractocephalus hemiolopterus) and a fish labelled as
'Dusky Doradid' (which appeared to be from the Platydoras group), who was really
'holding his ground' in this company, were also at home in this display.
Yet more straining of the eyes could not reveal the Synodontis nigriventris,
well hidden among tangles of bogwood and Java Fern, that inhabited a beautiful Congo Tetra
display that made good use of natural light to show off the colours of these stunning
characins to full effect.
The most watched tropical tank was immaculately planted and was home to a huge shoal of
Cardinal Tetra, a few Penguin Tetras, Silver Hatchetfish and the largest Sturisoma
rostratum I have ever seen that would have 'swept the board' at many an open show. It
was amusing to see fellow visitors from countries where English is a main language,
obviously fuelled by Hollywood and t.v. documentaries, taking much time over the Piranha
exhibit whereas those who speak a different tongue hardly gave them a second glance.
With the tropical marine exhibits the emphasis was on a practical rather than a bold
display and this not only gave the various fish species room to move around but also
allowed them to display to full effect. Chief concern is the captive propagation of the
living rock and coral contained in the various displays and a good rate of success has
been achieved. During our visit one of the Zoo's aquarists was presenting a visual display
of the methods used to make this possible and although I was only partially able to
understand the commentary, spoken very quickly in both the German and French languages, I
found this presentation most interesting.
The Exotarium is not just for fish and you will find excellent reptile, South American
rodent, spider and penguin exhibits here also.
If you are planning a visit to Zurich then don't miss a visit to the Exotarium, as you
will not be disappointed.
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