Merry Fishmas 2017: new fishes, new characters, a whole lot of fun – S.E.A. Aquarium, Dolphin Island blog

This December, S.E.A. Aquarium transforms into a sparkling water wonderland with new fishy friends, Scuba Santa and Elves’ underwater adventures, Scrooge’s recycling workshop, and more.

5 new fishy friends

The Ornate Eagle Ray, Argentine Humphead, Mauritius Triggerfish, Honeycomb Cowfish and Bat Ray will be celebrating their first Christmas at S.E.A. Aquarium. Among them, the most iconic is the endangered Ornate Eagle Ray – one of the world’s rarest rays, and the first of its kind to be featured in zoos and aquariums worldwide. Here’s a sneak peek at our newest residents:

Collect your card from Santa at the entrance of Shark Seas Habitat and use it to locate these animals. Find all animals and pick up your prize at the Ocean Dome.

Crazy Elves Underwater Show

Scuba Santa and Elves are back with their wacky underwater antics as they dive amongst sharks, majestic manta rays and hundreds of schooling fish. Watch them feed their fishy friends with special enrichment treats as they interact with you underwater.

Where: Open Ocean Habitat
When: 3.30pm daily
Additional show at 1.45pm on 2, 3, 9, 10 Dec & 16 Dec – 1 Jan

Fish Feeding by the Elves

The Elves are diving into our habitats to feed our fishy residents! Catch them in action at these locations and times:
Coral Garden Habitant – 12pm daily
Shipwreck Habitant – 2pm daily
Open Ocean Habitant – 4pm daily

Scrooge’s Recycling Workshop

Learn how to turn unwanted materials into Christmas ornaments and reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our oceans. You can also purchase a reusable canvas bag and personalise it with your own designs to create a one-of-a-kind gift for yourself or your loved ones. Our new character Scrooge will also be making special appearances at the workshop where he’ll teach you a recycling trick or two.

Where: Open Ocean Gallery
Scrooge’s appearance: 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 3.00pm, 4.15pm daily

Octopus Enrichment

Octopus are highly intelligent animals. Come watch our male giant Pacific octopus during feeding time as it tries to solve delicious ‘puzzles’: how to use its tentacles to fish out treats hidden in a box.

Where: Giant Pacific Octopus Habitat (beside Sea Jellies Habitat)
When: 2.30pm daily

Click here to read more about the importance of enrichment activities.

Meet Mai, Sam, Santa and Elf

All decked out in their Christmas outfits, Mai the manta ray and our new Sam the hammerhead shark mascots will join Santa and Elf for a merry photo-taking session. Get your cameras ready!

Mai with Santa & Elf: 2.15pm daily @ Ocean Dome
Sam with Santa & Elf: 3.45pm daily @ Ocean Dome

Mrs Claus Bakery

Hungry for a quick bite? Grab some festive cupcakes from Mrs Claus’ sweet-smelling bakery at the Open Ocean Gallery. Open all-day.

Conservation Booths

Learn more about the growing plastic pollution problem at our various conservation booths. If you wish to play a more active role in ocean conservation, you can sign up for the new Guardians of the S.E.A.A. membership at S$8 to enjoy exclusive perks such as invitations to members-only conservation activities, talks, workshops and events.

At the Guardians of the S.E.A.A. booth, you’ll also find 2 Christmas trees filled with paper baubles containing hand-drawn pictures by preschoolers from My First Skool. The baubles also include well-wishes by these ocean-loving young learners who hope that their wishes for their marine friends will come true.

Where: around the aquarium
When: all-day