Aquarium tour
Introduction
Learn what you can see at the Genesis Energy Freshwater Aquarium.The Genesis Energy Freshwater Aquarium at the Tongariro National Trout Centre tells the story of a river’s journey, from the highest mountain to the cold blue sea. Come and explore, and meet some of the weird and wonderful characters who inhabit our streams, rivers and lakes.
What is there to see?
There are over 20 species of both native and introduced fish and crustacea to see, each with their own unique place in New Zealand's freshwater environment. The central tank tells the story of a stream in the early part of its life. Unique in how it displays a fast flowing pool, it is powerful, energetic, and turbulent. This makes it an ideal home for many native species. Despite the power and flow, there are quiet places within the stream which fish like torrentfish and koaro inhabit and exploit. Invertebrates flourish in the oxygenated water, grazing algae off rocks and filtering small organisms from the rushing water.
Mountain to the sea - the circle of life
These turbulent flows provide many fish with both a home and a migration path (like the road that you drive to get home). They must be protected even when faced with the competing need to produce energy for us.
As you walk around look at how many of our fish need open access to the sea to complete the journey of their life, and reflect on what does this mean for the way we look after our waterways?
The aquarium also shows the species, both good and bad, which inhabit the slower, quieter water of lowland rivers, lakes and estuaries around New Zealand.
Threats and impacts
These native plants and fish struggle to cope with the worst impacts of human activity, such as agricultural runoff, reduced flows and pollution. A damaged environment can then provide ideal habitats for pest species like carp to flourish, further worsening water quality.
Some of the introduced fish are very beautiful, indeed some were bought here for display in aquariums. However in the wild these species can spell bad news for our freshwater environments and the other fish, animals and plants. NEVER release unwanted fish or plants into our rivers and lakes.