Senior aquarist Rob Mottice hand feeds “Gibson” at the Tennessee Aquarium’s Animal Care Facility in Chattanooga.
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga will serve as a temporary home for Gibson, a guitar fish that was located inside the Nashville Aquarium. The restaurant was damaged as a result of the flooding brought by record-breaking rains in Nashville and surrounding areas in Tennessee in early May.
The Nashville Aquarium Restaurant was home to more than 100 species of colorful, tropical fish from the Caribbean Sea, Hawaii, South Pacific and the Indian Ocean that resided in the 200,000-gallon centerpiece tank. Gibson and the majority of the fish survived during the flood, and all of the surviving fish and reptiles were relocated to the Nashville Zoo and the aquarium.
"We couldn't have asked for a better acclimation and adjustment period,” said Rob Mottice, Tennessee Aquarium senior aquarist. “Gibson is doing great in his temporary surroundings and all of his swimming and feeding behaviors are absolutely normal."
Gibson's temporary home at the aquarium is in a 23,000-gallon circular tank that is 23 feet in diameter and five feet deep. The top rim of the tank has been fitted with a two foot jump barrier to ensure Gibson's safety. Gibson shares his temporary home with several brown-banded bamboo sharks, a blue tang and a squirrelfish. He is able to swim up to the side of the tank and can recognize aquarium staff members who come to visit.
"We appreciate the tremendous support from the community during this unfortunate time,” said James Prappas, director of biology for the Nashville Aquarium Restaurant. “We know Gibson and the other fish and reptiles are in good care and we look forward to their return home at the Nashville Aquarium Restaurant.”
For more information about the Nashville Aquarium Restaurant, please contact the restaurant at 615 514-FISH (3474).