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TOUR THE DIG’S STUNNING MARINE LIFE EXHIBITS
There’s only one place in the world where you can embark on a journey through the streets and tunnels of the fabulous lost city of Atlantis while touting stunning marine life exhibits. Reflecting the tunnels and thoroughfares of the lost continent; Paradise Island’s The Dig features habitats for 100 venomous Indo-Pacific Ocean Lionfish, 500 piranhas, iridescent jellyfish and six-foot Moray Eels. There are special environments nine species of enormous groupers. And in separate, smaller “Jewel Habitats,” multitudes of brilliantly colored tropical fish dwell. Resort guests should plan ahead and remember not to miss the interactive touch tank aquarium—filled with conch, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs and horseshoe crabs—and designed to encourage vacationer interaction. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Access to all Atlantis marine habitats and Aquaventure Waterpark are FREE for guests staying at the resort. Passes may be purchased by day visitors, but availability is limited – and may be closed – during periods of high resort occupancy.
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LOBSTER EXHIBIT
Once used by the Atlanteans for waste disposal, this site has now been taken over by spiny lobster Panulirus argus and slipper lobster Scyllarides aequinoctialis. These reef dwellers grow by molting. This occurs when the shell, or exoskeleton, splits apart, exposing the new shell that has developed under it.
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LIONFISH EXHIBIT
Once the end of a main street, lionfish Pterois volitans, spotted scorpion fish Scorpaena plumieri, and long-spine urchin Diadema antillarum now call this enclosed area home. Native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, lionfish have become an invasive species in The Bahamas, outcompeting native species of fish.
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JEWEL TANK EXHIBIT
Atlanteans placed written wishes in the holes within the wall behind this ancient icon. Today, these same holes are home to Cuban hogfish Bodianus pulchellus, queen angelfish Holacanthus ciliaris, and rock beauty Holacanthus tricolor.
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GROUPER EXHIBIT
The goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara and the Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus now make their home in what was once a part of the lab. The goliath grouper can grow to more than 8 ft. in length and weight more than 800 lb. Groupers gather annually in huge numbers to spawn on ancestral grounds.
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SEAHORSE EXHIBIT
This small chamber now houses our seahorse Hippocampus erectus exhibit. When reproducing, the female seahorse deposits her eggs inside the male’s brood pouch. The male then carries the developing babies until they are born. Seahorses have become endangered for a variety of reasons, including loss of habitat.
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CLOWNFISH EXHIBIT
Made famous by the blockbuster movie Finding Nemo, the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris and anemones Condylactis gigantea are housed in what is said to be a storage room that led to the back alleyways of the City of Atlantis.
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JELLYFISH EXHIBIT
These two rooms are believed to be storage chambers used to store light-sensitive navigational documents. It is the perfect setting to view the purple-striped jelly Chrysaora melanaster and the moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita. These animals are 98% water and do not have a brain, central nervous system or eyes.
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MORAY EEL EXHIBIT
This storage room for Atlantean pots and urns has become the perfect home for green moray eels Gymnothorax funebris. Eels are actually fish. The green color of these animals is produced by a yellow mucous layer, which overlays the darker blue skin. They grow to an impressive length of 6 ft.
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PIRANHA EXHIBIT
This vault-like chamber is where the Atlanteans would have stored their treasures and scientific records. Contrary to movie story lines, piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri do not mindlessly attack people and other animals as they enter the water. When hungry, these fish tend to attack weak and injured animals.
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