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55-544: The Maria Mitchell Aquarium is on the site of the historic ticket office of the former Nantucket Railroad at 28 Washington Street. It is located directly on the shoreline of the Nantucket Harbor, which empties out into the Nantucket Sound . Specimens are primarily drawn from the waters around Nantucket, and are released back to those waters at the end of each summer. The aquarium is the newest addition to

110-414: A "brood pouch", where they are fertilized and sealed. Females clutch size can be equal to or greater than one thousand and the males' brood size can range from 97 to 1,552 eggs. The number of eggs the female produces varies depending on the size of the seahorse. Six hundred and fifty eggs can be carried by a single male at one time. The eggs are 1.5 mm in diameter. When the eggs are being incubated within

165-418: A blue lobster (shell changed blue due to an unusual discoloration), a common octopus , and lined seahorses . Local favorites are also on display and include American eels , the dusky smooth-hound , sea robins , Raja erinacea , Loligo pealei , and Aurelia aurita . The displays often change because the aquarium's staff incorporate the animals that they find into the exhibits. The largest tank that

220-471: A constant temperature between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius (72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The ph value should remain between 8.1 and 8.4 and the specific gravity between 1.020 and 1.025. The lined seahorse is an easy going species and will not be a threat to other fish that could possibly be in an aquarium . The seahorse thrives in an environment with objects it can hide around and attach its tail to. The H. erectus species should be fed multiple times throughout

275-469: A current of water leading directly into its snout. Since seahorses are weak swimmers, they must ambush their prey by blending into their surroundings, which they do rather easily. The lined seahorse's eyes can move independently of one another, allowing it to effectively scan its surroundings. The species is sexually dimorphic and it is easy to distinguish between a male and female lined seahorse. The males are larger and also have longer tails. The lined seahorse

330-429: A day, engulfing approximately 3,600 baby brine shrimp . The predators of the lined seahorse include crabs, rays , skates , seabirds , sharks , tuna , and dolphinfish . Although their camouflage tactics reduce their risk of becoming prey, their poor swimming abilities increase their likelihood of being consumed by their predators, especially large fish. There are many parasites and infections known to affect

385-607: A house is not working for me. I think it works for me, as what it is – a museum. I don't think it's appropriate to put the restrictions of a residential structure on a museum. At least ten local island businesses and other local non-profit organizations have written letters to the HDC supporting the MMA's Science Center project, and there has been a great deal of approval for the project in the Nantucket community. At least 30 locals showed up at

440-592: A male or female lined seahorse should lose their partner for any reason, it takes time before they replace their mate. Lined seahorses are weak swimmers; they swim in an erect position. In comparison to their fins, the lined seahorse's body is too large, another reason why they are poor swimmers. They do not swim for long periods of time, nor do they travel far distances, unless they are migrating. The lined seahorse propels its body forward with its dorsal and pectoral fins, which they move rapidly back and forth. These fins are also utilized in directing their bodies throughout

495-406: A new one. Often, it fails to find a new mate in its short lifespan. Like with other seahorses, the male lined seahorse is the caregiver. During intercourse, the female sprays her eggs into the male's brood pouch where the eggs will incubate for 20–21 days. When the juveniles are ready to hatch, the male attaches its tail to a stationary structure and begins to arch its back, back and forth, releasing

550-451: A popular seahorse for aquarium trade and Chinese medicine, it is only suspected that the species could be a potential candidate for commercial aquaculture . If successful, this could positively affect the population of the lined seahorse. The minimum habitat requirements for captive lined seahorses consist of a tank 18 inches vertical in height and 20 to 25 gallons for a pair, 30 to 40 gallons for two pairs. The tank should be kept at

605-429: A star pattern and is attached rather loosely and has sharp edges. As the seahorse lifts its head, the edge of the skull slides beneath the coronet and out when the seahorse bows its head. As the skull's edge slides beneath and out from the coronet, a clicking sound is produced. Mating seahorses swim slowly together, alternating their clicking sounds, until they embrace one another. Once the male and female seahorse embrace,

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660-601: A supportive object while he braces back and forth, until the developed seahorses escape from the pouch. The bracing continues until all seahorses have successfully escaped the pouch. However, unhatched seahorses that have died will create a gas within the male's pouch. Soon after, the male seahorse inevitably floats to the surface, only to become easy prey in the marine food chain. Juveniles are approximately 11 mm at birth for three days and are considered embryos until they are capable of swimming on their own. Juveniles do not reach maximum size until they are 8–10 months of age. It

715-404: A touch tank which is overlooked by the small aquarium gift shop. The touch tank houses crabs , fish (particularly flounder ), shrimp , clams , and snails , including a large, predatory snail called a moon snail . Other highlights of the aquarium include free personal tours by aquarium staff and a focus on completely local species. Animals include an abnormally large American lobster and

770-436: Is 19 cm. The seahorse is sexually dimorphic , meaning there are distinct differences in appearances of males and females; most notably the brood pouch located on the male's abdomen which it utilized in reproduction. Males are also slightly larger in size and have longer prehensile tails than the females. In the wild, the lined seahorse has a lifespan of one to four years; however, in captivity their lifespan usually reaches

825-570: Is a daily program in the summer in which the aquarium staff feed the aquarium animals and visitors who pay a special fee get to watch. The Maria Mitchell Aquarium is partnered with a local eco-tour company called Shearwater Excursions, and, during the summer months, they lead tours of the harbor and of the ocean which involve viewings of marine mammals such as seals and whales . The Seal Cruise takes customers to nearby Muskeget Island to look at grey seals . Official website Nantucket Railroad The Nantucket Central Railroad Company

880-409: Is also used as Chinese medicine and is common in the aquarium trade, contributing to its "vulnerable" status. The lined seahorse was first named Hippocampus Erectus by George Perry in 1810. "Hippocampus" translates into "horse or sea monster" in ancient Greek . The lined seahorse is a diurnal species that ranges in length from 12 cm to 17 cm; the maximum length reported for the species

935-421: Is estimated by scientists that only about two juveniles grow up to be adults out of the hundreds that are hatched. In captivity, the species maintained a vertical growth rate of 0.55 mm a day for 100 days. Male juveniles develop pouches when they are 5–7 months old. The juvenile seahorses quickly develop the characteristic of the adult lined seahorse. After birth, courtship begins once again. Breeding occurs in

990-453: Is level with the eye on each back side of the lined seahorse's head. The dorsal fin is located on the back of the skeleton and is level with the stomach–chest area. Female dorsal fins are slightly larger than the male's and are located lower on the back. The eyes of the lined seahorse can concentrate together, or they can operate independently of one another. The lined seahorse may be considered sexually mature as early as four months; however, it

1045-417: Is monogamous and performs ritual dances every morning to reestablish the bond with its mate. In addition, they create clicking sounds while embracing their partner. This action occurs when they initially find their mate. The intensity of their bond is also conveyed in how they handle the death of their partner: If either the male or female should die, the mate does not automatically replace the deceased mate with

1100-545: Is typically about eight months. The minimum size of a sexually mature lined seahorse is 5.6 cm. The lined seahorse range spans from the northern point of Nova Scotia , Canada, to the southern area of Venezuela in South America . They can be found on the east coast of America in Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Louisiana , Maryland , New Jersey , New York , Rhode Island , Virginia , and

1155-580: The Azores but it is not clear that a population has become established in the waters around that archipelago. Its habitats are marine intertidal and marine neritic . The species is found in depths of water up to seventy-three meters. Adults can be found swimming freely in the water column or attached to a stationary object. Juveniles usually swim near the surface. The habitat of the lined seahorse consists of marine vegetation, such as suspended Sargassum , seagrass , sponges , and mangroves . Depending on

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1210-663: The Carolinas , as well as in the waters surrounding Mexico and the Caribbean. Species found in Brazil seem to be of a different species; however, more research is needed to determine this proposal. The lined seahorse is native to the following locations: Nova Scotia, Canada, United States, Bermuda , Cuba , Mexico ( Veracruz , Yucatán ), Haiti , Saint Kitts and Nevis , Belize , Honduras , Nicaragua , Costa Rica , Panama , Guatemala , and Venezuela. It has also been recorded from

1265-413: The H. erectus dwells varies with the different latitudes. Temperature has an effect on gonad development, brood size, and juvenile development and survival. Many lined seahorses experience temperature fluctuations during the daily tide cycles, the different seasons of each year, and due to precipitation or runoff. Adults have the ability to migrate to deeper waters during cold seasons. A study showed that

1320-401: The HDC who were present voted against the project. Linda Williams, former head of the HDC, was very much in favor of the project. She explained that the members of the HDC should not presume that the future Aquarium should blend in with Nantucket's historic houses. It's not going to look like a house, it shouldn't act like a house. It's not quacking like a house, so trying to make it look like

1375-548: The Maria Mitchell Association. It is one of only two Maria Mitchell Association properties that is not located on MMA's Vestal Street Campus, the other being Loine's Observatory on Milk Street Extension. The reason for the aquarium's location downtown is to attract more visitation from the public and to have a location that is closer to the harbor. The aquarium has been located in the same place since 1997. It has been expanded since initial construction, it

1430-478: The Nantucket Bay Scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck, 1819)" to the faculty and students at UMass SMAST, and to her graduate committee. Her accomplishment is a major milestone in the Maria Mitchell Association's/Nantucket Shellfish Association's Bay Scallop Research Project. The aquarium participates in the annual Nantucket Horseshoe Crab Survey. In early summer, from about May to June,

1485-545: The absence of the current MMA Aquarium, this could be more easily achieved. One of MMA's plans for the new site is to build a domed theater, and this theater caused controversy amongst Nantucketers, particularly the members of the Historic District Commission (HDC) of Nantucket when the project was presented to them for approval. Ultimately, the $ 10 million project passed the HDC 3-2 in March 2013, with

1540-637: The aforementioned aquarium highlights). Because the Gulf Stream passes by the Atlantic Ocean side of the island, tropical fish such as French angelfish , groupers , butterflyfish , damselfish , jacks , and permits are occasionally on exhibit. The aquarium participates in research related to the bay scallop (with Nantucket Shellfish Association), as well as to the Biodiversity of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates, and participates in

1595-644: The annual Horseshoe Crab Survey. One of the aquarium's chief research projects is the Bay Scallop Research Project. Nantucket Bay Scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians , add two million dollars to the Nantucket economy because they are very profitable, and the particularly profitable part of the bay scallop is the abductor muscle which holds the shell together. Thousands of bay scallops die each winter because Nantucketers hunt them for food. The Maria Mitchell Association and Nantucket Shellfish Association have been collaborating to calculate

1650-403: The aquarium contains is 400 gallons, and there is also a larger outdoor tank that overlooks Nantucket Harbor. This circular outdoor tank is known to house larger fish such as scup and black sea bass , but also small sharks called dusky smooth-hound , or smooth dogfish. The rooms also include tanks for trigger fish , lobsters , mantis shrimp , tropical fish , and common local species (such as

1705-529: The aquarium observes how many Horseshoe Crabs they can find mating in certain areas of the island. The Maria Mitchell Aquarium sponsors daily collecting trips during the summer that are open to the public (but require a fee). The point of these trips is to not only educate customers, but also to collect a survey of the marine species in Nantucket's waters. The top six most abundant species in Nantucket's waters are as follows: The Maria Mitchell Aquarium has collected about 56,347 fish, crabs, snails, and shrimp since

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1760-524: The aquarium that are part of their biodiversity project. The Marine Field Trips also allow for aquarium staff to collect animals. Marine Field Trips are open to the public, but participants must pay a fee. During the daily Marine Ecology Field Trips, a seine net is used to collect animals in the eelgrass beds. There are different kinds of marine field trips including daily Marine Ecology Field Trips, Family Snorkeling Tours, Beach Discovery Field Trips, and Night Marine Ecology Field Trips. The Feeding Frenzy

1815-399: The biodiversity project was launched at the beginning of the century. The 56,347 individual animals represent 104 marine species. The aquarium offers various programs including Marine Ecology Field Trips, Family Snorkeling Tours, Beach Discovery Field Trips, Night Marine Ecology Field Trips, Whale Watches, and Seal Cruises. The Marine Ecology Field Trips are a series of programs offered by

1870-405: The courtship process. Courtship extends for a couple of days and during this process, both the male and female may change to a pale color. The male enlarges his pouch to indicate his desire to pursue the female. Once they are established as monogamous mates though dances and clicking sounds, intercourse takes place. During intercourse, the female sprays her eggs into the males pouch, which is called

1925-720: The family Syngnathidae . H. erectus is a diurnal species with an approximate length of 15 cm (5.9 inches) and lifespan of one to four years. The H. erectus species can be found in myriad colors, from greys and blacks to reds, greens, and oranges. The lined seahorse lives in the western Atlantic Ocean as far north as Canada and as far south as the Caribbean , Mexico , and Venezuela . It swims in an erect position and uses its dorsal and pectoral fins for guidance while swimming. Lined seahorses feed mainly on minute crustaceans and brine shrimp, which they suck in through their snout. They are able to suck their prey by creating

1980-505: The full four years. Four years is the maximum age reported for the species. They have a broad color spectrum, ranging from black, grey, brown, and green, to orange, red, and yellow. They tend to be paler on their front side. However, their colors change due to altercations in their environment, diet, anxiety or stress level, and/or mood. The lined seahorse is brawny and upright in appearance. They have an armor-like body composed of approximately fifty bony plates. Together these bony plates form

2035-399: The hearing in March 2013 to help support the project. After the project's approval, Maria Mitchell Association Director Janet Schulte summed up the association's current problem and their goal for the new Science Center: We currently have to bunch field trips in only the goodweather months. With the new center, science can be taught throughout the calendar, not just at the beginning and end of

2090-827: The highest survival and growth rate of juveniles occurred at 28 to 29 degrees Celsius in captivity. In addition to temperature, there is also a large range of salinity concentration depending on the location that affect the species. The most common salinity is 25 to 35 ppt. In captivity, the species is most commonly kept at 35 ppt. The H. erectus is the only species of seahorse native to the Chesapeake Bay . The lined seahorse utilizes its elongated snout in order to consume its prey, consisting primarily of minute crustaceans , mollusks , and zooplankton . Unfortunately, some captive parental males have been known to cannibalize small number of its own fry, or juveniles, following its release into natural habitat. In order to ambush its prey,

2145-400: The juveniles into the water column. The juveniles are approximately 11 mm at birth. They quickly begin to learn and mimic the behavior of its parent. Courtship between the male and female parents begins immediately after birth. The habitat of the lined seahorse is diminishing due to coastal growth and pollution, which ultimately is the cause of the decreasing population. The lined seahorse

2200-459: The lined seahorse's population is starting to dwindle, by values of at least thirty percent, probably since 1996 when changes in its population size were noted. The H. erectus is a very common species of the aquarium trade, which also affects the population remaining in the wild, though the vast majority for sale in the aquarium trade are captive-reared. The lined seahorse is also used for ornamental decoration and for Chinese medicine . Despite being

2255-545: The lined seahorse, including ciliates (Uronemamarinum), nematodes , fungi, myxosporidian , and microsporidians (Glugea heraldi). A unique characteristic of the lined seahorse (and other species of seahorse) is their practice of monogamy : the male and female seahorses choose partners that they will continue to mate with for their lifetime. The monogamous characteristics of the lined seahorse include ritual dances with their partner that they perform every morning. These dances establish their permanent relationship as mates. If

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2310-427: The male's pouch, the embryos are provided oxygen via an extensive capillary system. Through this system, the sodium and calcium levels can be altered in order to maintain homeostasis within the pouch environment. When the embryos are approaching birth, the pouch environment is very similar to the seawater. The gestation period lasts for 20–21 days. When the time finally approaches, the male latches his prehensile tail onto

2365-481: The members of the HDC requesting minor changes. One member of the HDC was very adamantly against the project: It's the single biggest mistake the HDC has ever made. I think it's horrible, absolutely horrible. It's nothing more than a massive self-branding exercise. It's no different than putting in a Cheesecake Factory down there. Kevin Kuester, a member of the HDC, was not present at the hearing. Only two members of

2420-556: The months of May through October in the Chesapeake Bay. July is when the lined seahorse population is the greatest in Florida. The lined seahorse species was listed as vulnerable since 1996 and was listed as vulnerable in the 2003 IUCN assessment, indicating no significant improvements in protective factors. Due to loss or harm to their habitat by pollution and coastal development, accidental catch , or by purposeful catch,

2475-608: The number of bay scallops (particularly young bay scallops) in Nantucket Harbor since 2003. They use spat lines to collect scallops of all ages. The leaders of this ongoing project are Dr. Peter Boyce, Dr. Bob Kennedy, and Val Hall. Val Hall has observed that invasive algal blooms may have also contributed to the decline in bay scallop populations. According to the Maria Mitchell Association: Val has successfully defended her doctoral dissertation proposal titled "The Ecological Significance of Fall Spawning in

2530-406: The outer skeleton of the species. It is common for the species to have white lines outlining the neck area—hence its common name, "lined seahorse"—and for tiny white dots to be present on the tail. The prehensile tail consists of numerous rings and the first, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh may protrude farther outward than the remaining. The prehensile tail following the bony plates is utilized by

2585-582: The school year Director Janet Schulte hoped to break ground for the new Science Center in September 2013; however funding dried up and the project has been postponed, and may not occur. The aquarium contains 20 saltwater tanks and two "touch tanks" in three small buildings. The tanks house local species that are released back to the wild when the aquarium closes for the winter. The touch tanks let visitors get close to local species such as crabs , Horseshoe crabs , and clams . The aquarium's highlights include

2640-430: The seahorse employs color changes to camouflage itself with its surrounding environment, locates the prey, and then jerks its head upward, forcing the prey in the right position to be sucked in through its tubular snout. The lined seahorse is highly accurate, especially if its prey is within one inch from its snout. Overall, this process is quick and accurate. A growing lined seahorse may feed continuously for up to ten hours

2695-527: The seahorse to grasp onto its environment composed of seaweed and coral . The tail curls forward and is seldom aligned. When a lined seahorse is very young (two weeks to four weeks), the tail is extremely limber. The snout length is approximately half the head length of the lined seahorse. The cheek spines, located diagonally down from the eye on either side may be single or double. In total, the lined seahorse has eleven trunk rings, 34–39 tail rings, 16–20 dorsal fin rays, and 14–18 pectoral fin rays. The pectoral fin

2750-445: The season, the species can be found in shallow waters or deep waters along beaches, oyster beds, and banks covered in vegetation, as well as in bays or salt marshes . Lined seahorses can often be found with their tails wrapped around crab pots as well. In the winter, the seahorses are more prominent in deeper waters, versus warmer months, where they are usually found in shallow waters attached to vegetation. The temperature in which

2805-404: The sounds from both the male and female unify, becoming indistinguishable from one another. This action creates a louder, consecutive sound, further establishing their bond. Like all species of seahorses, the lined seahorse reproduces sexually, laying eggs every season. In addition, the male is the parent that looks after the newborn seahorses. The reproduction process begins at the initiation of

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2860-435: The water and beat twenty to thirty times per second, making them almost invisible at first glance. In addition to monogamy, the lined seahorse also cues into sound-making in the mating process. The seahorses have a crown-like bony crest called a coronet located on the backside of their head at the edge of the skull. Each coronet is unique to the organism, just as a fingerprint is unique to every human . The coronet resembles

2915-517: Was a 3 ft ( 914 mm ) narrow gauge railroad on the island of Nantucket . The railroad linked the village of Nantucket with the village of Siasconset . Built in 1881, the line closed in 1917, with the track and rolling stock sent to France as part of the Allied forces of the First World War . Years after the railroad was discontinued, the last railroad car left on the island

2970-545: Was converted to a popular restaurant known today as the Club Car. Originally, the company was known as the Nantucket Railroad , but following the bankruptcy of the company in 1895 allowed for the company to reorganize under the name that it carried until 1917. Lined seahorse The lined seahorse ( Hippocampus erectus ), northern seahorse or spotted seahorse , is a species of fish that belongs to

3025-529: Was originally just one small room but it has been expanded into three rooms and two outdoor touch tanks . The directors of the Maria Mitchell Association are planning to expand the aquarium greatly by 2015. The plan is to expand the aquarium by moving it across the street to a plot of land that was swapped with MMA by the Nantucket Land Bank in 2010. The Nantucket Land Bank hopes to open up Nantucket Harbor for both islanders and tourists, and with

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