Moody Gardens Partnership Update and Opportunity
Moody Gardens Aquarium (and our favorite Coral Biologist Ryan (aka @Seaturtle) is starting a new research project partnered with Rice University and UT Austin. This project will help to provide valuable information to researchers as they will be looking at zooxanthellae distribution via corallivore fish. Over the years, we have really enjoyed our partnership with Moody Gardens Aquarium and have enjoyed seeing Ryan’s updates, having his expertise available to us, and visiting them during our back stage tours. You may recall we answered the call a few years back when it was time for Moody Gardens to restart their reef exhibit, 10 years after Hurricane Ike played a part in the tragic loss of their last reef exhibit. We supported them through our “Let it Grow” campaign, voluntary coral and fish donations, and Grow Out Challenge. We were also very fortunate to have the support of a few of our Local Sponsor Stores (@FJW and @ThatAquariumPlace)
The start date for this project is in December. Moody Gardens Aquarium is currently seeking to acquire a very specific coral species for this project, Acropora Millipora. As of right now, they are terribly under stocked and are reaching out to our community to let us know of this donation opportunity. Specifically, they are seeking Acropora Millipora frags of 2”- 3” minimum. These do not need to be your high dollar, hard to find, show piece Millipora…They would be happy to receive your everyday, common, no name Millipora.
Ideally they would like to have all donations by the 10th of December, but this project is an ongoing research project with others to follow so donations are always welcome.
MARSHians who donate specific to this project will have the potential opportunity to have their name listed in the research acknowledgement section.
If you are interested in donating, I will be planning a trip out there on the 9th of December to drop off donations and would be happy to transport for you. If you have any questions, or would like more information please feel free to PM me, or post your question below. This donation opportunity is completely voluntary, however your donation would be greatly appreciated.