The Blue Reef Public Aquarium is situated on the Grand Parade at Tynemouth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

As you enter the aquarium you find yourself next to a large open topped exhibit that is home to six Terrapins and a large number of Common Goldfish. We first viewed this exhibit when both Terrapins and fish were very tiny and perhaps this is the key to why they co-exist in apparent harmony?

As you enter the exhibits proper, of which there are 29, you are face-to-face for what to me is the highlight of the whole aquarium and comes in the form of a large hexagonal tank that is beautifully aquascaped to form a tropical freshwater display mixing fish from several countries that include Ancistrus (the largest adults I have ever seen), Black Neon Tetra, Silver Shark, Neon Tetra and various species of Molly.

Next comes the Red-bellied Piranha display. When we were last here 8 months ago this display contained 5 Piranha, two of which had paired and were preparing a spawning depression in the gravel, but is now down to 3 extremely large individuals.

River Turtles occupy the fourth exhibit. The décor of tree branches, ferns and running water has been so well put together that you have to let your eyes do plenty of adjusting in order to spot the well hidden Turtles. As yet there are no display boards to let you know the exact species and their homeland etc. but these beautiful creatures were seized by Customs officials during a raid on a London premises.

Native marine exhibits follow and the beauty of our native Wrasse always entrances me. The Ray display area is very interesting and consists of a long pool that is cleverly designed in order to recreate a sea floor of several levels. Now we find 'oddball' marine creatures from around the World I was fascinated by the mouth movements of an Alaskan Giant Crab but one young visitor was so afraid of this creature that he literally screamed the place down.

The original Ray exhibit area has now been completely redesigned to form the habitat for a pair of Asian short-clawed Otters. What a spectacle these two 'stars' put on for 'their' visitors as they frolicked around the décor - although the male did get a little rough with his mate at times. To the frustration of a number of visitors the lighting used in this exhibit prevented clear photography.

Now we are into the tropical marine section. The coral reef display tank, which took 9 years to mature, remains the centre piece and the Yellow Tang here are a sight to behold. The Anchovy display had me mesmerised as these fish move around in such a tight shoal. The third exhibit aquarium contains the odd sight of an assortment of Boxfish and Cowfish which 'bobbed around', quiet contented, in their home

The amphibian displays are excellent. Sue loves the dainty Tree Frogs whereas the Cane Toads fascinated me and there is little wonder that these giants are said to be able to swallow chickens and small kittens.

Finally we arrive at the Sea of Cortez 'walkthrough acrylic tunnel'. Remaining in all its glory the various tropical marine species housed here make a stunning display. I was lucky enough to catch Shark feeding time and slithers of fish are placed onto wooden canes and literally shoved into the noses of the various Shark species and boy did they quickly consume this easily caught meal.

In conclusion the Blue Reef is an excellent place to visit and has a broad aquatic appeal. We look forward to our next visit.

As an extra 'fishy bonus' an excellent small aquatic retail outlet known as Joe Hill Aquatics has opened in nearby Whitley Bay. If you leave your car in the Blue Reef public car park you can catch the regular bus service into Whitley Bay Town Centre. Walk back for a few minutes along the bus route and you will find Station Road on your right-hand side. The outlet, again on your right-hand side, is halfway down this street and is currently open 7 days a week.

Key to the photographs:-
Howard 1 - The Blue Reef Public Aquarium.l
Howard 2 - Goldfish and Terrapins.
Howard 3 - French Angelfish.
Howard 4 - A view from inside the Sea of Cortez acrylic tunne

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