Aquarium
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The Ahlgren aquarium was created by the late Molly O. Ahlgren, Sheldon Jackson College professor. Her contribution to education, outreach and research in Southeast Alaska is long standing. Her legacy continues to grow within the Ahlgren aquarium. The licensed facility consists of three touch tanks, five in-wall mounted aquariums, a 800-gallon observation tank, whale bones, and preserved specimens. A workroom houses 37 recirculating tanks that can be used for feeding trials. Adjacent to the aquarium is a rocky-beach shoreline. The room has recently been revamped and now includes an exciting new killer whale skeleton.
Molly O. Ahlgren Aquarium's Amazing Metazoans
Metazoa is just another word for animal!
We present the rose ribbon worm, Cerebratulus montgomeryi, phylum Nemertea. Our resident nemertean "Nico" has been living in in the Molly O. Ahlgren touch tank since 2008. Nico may be a male or female because nemerteans have separate sexes that can only be determined by analyzing the gonads. What matters most is that Nico is healthy and growing as we have observed every time we clean the touch tank. Nico can expand and contract making it difficult to ascertain his or her true length, but Cerebratulus montgomeryi has been documented at lengths of six feet. This species spends its time hiding in the rocks and ambushing prey with its long proboscis (tongue), but it is also adapted to swimming in the water column. The worms are able to return after hunting to the same rocky den by following the slime trail that they secrete, but will make themselves at home in a new den if the trail is lost. Long live Nico!
Diver's Corner
Working at the Aquarium is exciting and fun!
Click on the photo above to visit the Diver's Corner, and see what we do in our spare time!
Volunteer Opportunities
The Molly O. Ahlgren Aquarium is always in need of a few extra hands! If you are interested in volunteering or work study opportunities, please e-mail the aquarium manager at: lwilbur@sitkasoundsciencecenter.org
