In November 2002, I was lucky to be able to visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla California. Recently (for the author at least) the aquarium moved to its new home atop the bluff above the Scripps Pier. The first shot shows the breathtaking view standing beside the Birch’s outdoor tidepool exhibit. During my visit, I tried to capture some interesting images to share with the Advanced Aquarist readers. For further reading, the aquarium has an extensive website where readers can learn more about their systems and inhabitants, as well as their education and outreach programs, breeding efforts, and aquaculture activities. The address is:

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

Make sure to view the video of their large Acropora sp. spawning in their Indo-Pacific reef exhibit:

http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/divein/coral/coralspawn.html

Presently, I don’t have enough information about the Aquarium to feel comfortable writing a full review covering their filtration systems, lighting, water motion, and EXTENSIVE breeding programs. Readers should look for this in an upcoming Short Take.