Aquarium

ELA is a small-sized aquarium with a traditional character. It is dedicated to the local aquatic fauna and flora, particularly to the fish of commercial interest to the local small-scale fishery, including common marine invertebrates and macro algae. In fifteen aquariums with volumes from 1200 up to 6700 liters, the characteristic biotopes of Aguda´s Sea and an adjacent creek are reconstructed, and inhabited by more than 800 animals of 60 different species.

The visit begins with two tidal pools of the eulitoral zone. Entering the always submerged zone of the Sublitoral, the exhibit descends down to three meters of depth into a kelp habitat.

With increasing depth of five metre steps and passing through the characteristic rocky zone of Aguda’s sea, pout, giltheads, bogues, red and black sea breams are displayed.

The exhibit reaches the maximum depth of 25 metres where the large sand banks begin and where a small artificial reef is located which gives shelter to bigger species of fish such as the grey triggerfish, ray, turbot, conger and moray eel.

Ascending in steps of five metres, the scenery displays the rocky zone again, where the lobster and the octopus are hiding, and where salemas are in abundance and a spiny lobster lives, a rarity of Aguda´s Sea.

Returning to land, the display ends with the fauna and flora of a small creek crossing the dunes. .

The fish and marine invertebrates on display are caught with suitable care, mostly in collaboration with the fishermen of Aguda, of Espinho, and sports fishermen.