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Jakarta Aquarium lures visitors with new marine species
Since all the creatures live in cold water, the aquarium underwent lengthy preparations to facilitate the new species.
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Visitors study the sea life and take pictures at the Ocean Walkway exhibit at the Jakarta Aquarium, which showcases a variety of small and large marine animals on the first day of Idul Fitri. (The Jakarta Post/Tirta Utama Umbas)
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akarta Aquarium in West Jakarta has added four new aquatic animals to its marine life exhibits, namely the giant Pacific octopus, giant isopod, leafy seadragon and weedy seadragon.
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“In Indonesia, Jakarta Aquarium is the only place you can see these marine species," said Jakarta Aquarium curator Aaron during a press conference on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.
An unusual cephalopod, the giant Pacific octopus has a length of 400 centimeters, nine brains, three ears, and a total of 2,240 suction cups on its tentacles.
Close relatives to shrimp and crabs and living between 160 and 2,300 meters below sea level, the giant isopod is one of the most unique creatures in the sea due to its alienesque appearance and ability to survive for five years without any food.
Meanwhile the seadragons resemble the common sea horse; the difference lies in their many small fins that look very much like seaweed. These appendages are perfect for camouflage to mask themselves from predators as they look much more like flora than fauna.
Read also: Jakarta Aquarium offers marine life experience
Since all the creatures live in cold water, the aquarium underwent lengthy preparations to facilitate them as they needed to acclimatize to the simulated habitats over long periods of time, according to Aaron.
Other preparations such as adjustments to feeding were necessary to ensure that the animals are not stressed in the exhibit. (ayr/kes)
