Fish Lab, Aquaria, and Marine Life in the Maldives
Plankton Production
Our plankton and algae cultures are used as the main food source for the residents of our Fish Lab.
– Microalgae (Nannochloropsis) – Overall, 400L of algae were produced throughout the month.
– Rotifers – Population density has been stable, with an average of 461 ind./mL. Food quantity per session has been kept to 2mL of Nannochloropsis microalgae, given 3 times per day.
– Brine shrimp (Artemia) – Same protocol as last month, two separate batches were raised daily: the first for the feeding of jellyfish, shrimps and fish (3.5g/day); the second for feeding our settlement coral polyps (3g/day).
Fish Lab Breeding Programmes
- Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) – populations remain healthy.
- Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) – our breeding pairs remain healthy. [Lifecycle graphic]
- Groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) – sadly, we experienced 2 mortality events this month, the main one caused by a loss of water flow. We have now implemented stricter daily protocols, including checking water flow and conducting regular siphoning. Despite the losses, we maintain a healthy stock overall. Across tanks #1 to #3 we have 40 individuals (weighing 415-780g); tanks #4 to #10 contain 260 individuals (150-400g).
On 17 January, we constructed a new sea cage and deployed it close to our turtle rehab enclosure out in Landaa’s lagoon. On 18 January, we collected a batch of juvenile groupers from Maniyafushi, and immediately transferred them into the new sea cage. On 21 January, despite the seemingly good conditions, we observed some mortality, alongside other fish in distress. Moving forward, we will impose a period of quarantine and acclimatisation.
Aquaculture – ‘seaweed’ as sustainable foods
- Sea Grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) – We collected 2 batches of sea grapes this month, from Kamadhoo Port (3 January), and from Kihaadhoo (29 January). We installed 10 small vegetable crates into our sea pond, each stocked with ~150g of sea grapes, and we will be monitoring growth rates to assess overall productivity. The crates help to limit access by grazing predators such as bubble snails.
- Elkhorn Sea Moss (Kappaphycus alvarezii) – The batch is still holding, despite the accumulation of filamentous algae around each sea moss sample. All remaining seaweed was subsequently introduced into the sea pond to assess whether it would thrive better under these conditions.
- Clams – Our clams are thriving in the seapond; we will soon transplant them to the Staff Reef Garden.
Guest Excursions
At Landaa Giraavaru, we conducted 26 guided tours of our Marine Discovery Centre for a total of 111 guests. Our guided snorkel excursions were enjoyed by 186 guests. Across 10 separate Dolphin Cruises for 104 guests, we recorded sightings of 658 Spinners and 25 Bottlenose Dolphins. We also had an exciting encounter close to Landaa – a possible sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) based on the shape of its fluke.
At Kuda Huraa this month, a total of 283 guests enjoyed 39 different excursions to 6 different underwater sites in the area, where we recorded 8 different megafauna species. We also held 1 private trip and 1 Junior Marine Saver Activity.
juvenile feathertail stingray
Junior Marine Savers
We had one Junior Marine Saver activity to kick off the new year here at Kuda Huraa’s Marine Discovery Centre. It started off with an in depth and question-filled turtle talk and presentation, which then led us to feeding the turtles their breakfast in our Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. The kids even got to target-feed one of our resident patients, Artemis. We then went to the sunrise side of the island for our morning snorkel, and saw a baby feathertail stingray (Pastinachus sephen) along with many other marine life species. We spent time talking about how each and every sea creature plays an important role in the marine ecosystem. It’s always a pleasure teaching the next generation, not only how impressive our natural world is, but how imperative it is that we protect it. Now they can go off and tell their peers to respect our planet, making this world a little better each time!
Shark Spotlight
Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) are a common sight in tropical waters. As a member of the Carcharhinidae family, these 1.6-1.8m sharks can be easily identified by their black tipped fins – primarily the dorsal and caudal fins. Their preferred habitat consists of shallow reefs, and inshore waters, with newborn sharks often found in mangroves. They exhibit site-fidelity and are not known to have large home ranges, meaning they will stay in the same area for years.
As one of the top predators on the reef, their diet is mainly small teleost fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods, other sharks, and even seabirds. The blacktip reef sharks have been documented working together to herd schools of fish to the water’s edge to make them an easy catch – it is rare to see collaboration amongst sharks to complete a task. Blacktips are viviparous, meaning the embryo is nourished inside the mother via a yolk sac which converts to a placental connection. After an almost year-long gestation period, the mothers give birth to 2-5 fully formed baby sharks in shallow nursery areas. These predators are not only beautiful and mesmerising to see in the wild, but vital to the health and longevity of our oceans.
Upstart Crow “Turtle”
On 31 January, we admitted a very special patient to our animal clinic … an Indian crow (Corvus splendens), aptly named “Turtle” was found outside, unconscious, and in need of help. This little bird most likely flew into a wall or window, and was found shortly afterwards. We made up a box with towels, then he received fluids, corticoids, and antibiotics. He is responding well to treatment and we hope to release this beautiful little bird next month!
Baa Atoll Internship
The Baa Atoll Internship students joined the coral team for 3 days in January to learn about our Reefscapers’ Coral Restoration Project. The students started with a presentation on how to collect fragments, followed by a collection and construction of a small coral frame dedicated to the Baa Internship 2026, sponsored by Four Seasons.
The interns practised taking monitoring pictures on land before outplanting their frame to the Coral Trail, along with an impressive 7 other frames that needed outplanting that day. Once returning to land, the coral biologist showed the students how to upload the frames to the GIS software and the frame database to end their first day.
![Baa Atoll Stage 3 Marine Biology Internship (FB5) LG [800]](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Baa-Atoll-Stage-3-Marine-Biology-Internship-FB5-LG-800.jpg)
![Baa Atoll Stage 3 Marine Biology Internship (FB7) LG [800]](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Baa-Atoll-Stage-3-Marine-Biology-Internship-FB7-LG-800.jpg)
![Baa Atoll Stage 3 Marine Biology Internship (FB2) LG [800]](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Baa-Atoll-Stage-3-Marine-Biology-Internship-FB2-LG-800.jpg)
![Baa Atoll Stage 3 Marine Biology Internship (FB1) LG [800]](https://marinesavers.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Baa-Atoll-Stage-3-Marine-Biology-Internship-FB1-LG-800.jpg)
For Day #2, the students enjoyed a presentation to learn about coral species identification and the natural predators of corals (corallivores). They learnt some interesting species of Acropora, the most dominant genus of reef-building corals in the Maldives. The students studied the identifying features of species, including: Acropora digitifera, A. hemprechii, A. tenuis, A. muricata. We also covered a few species of Pocillopora, ‘massive’ growth forms (Porites lobata, Diploastrea helipora) and some lesser known species (Galaxea, Platygyra, Lobophyllia).
The students were taught how outbreaks of coral predators are linked to warming oceans. Invertebrate species, including Crown of Thorns, Pin Cushion Stars and Drupella snails, have a faster reproduction rate when the temperature is higher. Therefore, manual removal is important in controlling corallivore outbreaks and protecting the reef. An in-water session followed, for the students to take photos of coral species, and to remove any corallivores they spotted.
In between their time in the water, the students learned how to conduct tours of our guest educational Marine Discovery Centre, explaining the threats to coral reefs, such as coral bleaching, and the importance of coral restoration projects in protecting the health of coral reefs. After the students completed their Open Water Dive Courses with the Dive Centre, they combined the skills they learnt to do a recycling dive on House Reef. They removed dead coral from frames and attached healthy fragments, ensuring that the new coral fragments have space to grow on the frame.
Maldives Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation
Turtle Nesting at Landaa
During January, we had 2 overnight visitors to our resort beaches! The first turtle nest was laid in front of Landaa’s villa #201 on 2 January, and is expected to hatch around 4 March. The second nest was laid on Voavah Private Island on 6 January, and is expected to hatch around 6 March. Based on the sand tracks (first nest) and the estimated depth of both nests, it is likely that they were laid by hawksbill turtles.
Sea Turtle “Stranding Season” in the Maldives
December had kicked off the high season for turtle strandings due to the monsoon change, when the ocean currents carry an influx of entangled marine debris (‘ghost nets’) from neighbouring countries into Maldivian waters.
And things did not slow down during January, with seven new sea turtle arrivals. Our Rehabilitation Centre is already at capacity, partly due to Kuda Huraa’s proximity to Malé, meaning that many of the reported injured turtle calls come here via our dedicated Turtle HOTLINE.
To make more room at our rescue centre, and to better care and treat our existing turtle rescue patients, we transported some turtles to other locations for treatment – namely our team at Landaa, as well as the ORP.
Unfortunately, not all of the turtles survive due to the severity of their injuries, usually sustained from entanglement in drifting ghost netting, and we sadly lost two turtles this month. On the other hand, we had two extremely exciting releases! We got to send home Romulus and Ayra, two turtle patients that responded well to treatment and are now back where they belong … in the ocean!
It has been one busy yet productive month – we are looking forward to what February will bring!
REEFSCAPERS Coral Propagation & Reef Restoration in the Maldives
To see the progress of your own frame, please visit our dedicated Reefscapers Four Seasons monitoring page where we upload new photos every 6 months or so.
At Kuda Huraa during January, our coral experts monitored (cleaned, repaired, photographed) a total of 84 growing coral frames, and transplanted 3 new frames, kindly sponsored by guests (2), plus 1 recycled frame.
At Landaa this month, we monitored 346 existing frames, and transplanted 19 new coral frames, kindly sponsored by guests, the Resort, and online. In total, we added ~1000 new propagated coral fragments to the reef.
Four Seasons Private Island Voavah – we reached a total of 100 large frames here! This is a huge achievement by our coral team, that is significantly increasing the marine biodiversity in the area. The coral trail patch is a site frequently visited by snorkelling guests, and is noticeably populated with greater numbers of reef fish of various species.
Further News & Updates
You might also be interested in our specialised Sea Turtle Lagoon Enclosure, and our Dolphin Diaries & ID Project.
Looking for details of our Reefscapers coral propagation and reef restoration program ? Then head over to our Four Seasons Team Diaries at Reefscapers.
You can sponsor your own frame and see photographs (updated every 6 months) in our Coral Frame Collection at Reefscapers.
Junior Marine Savers activities: (1) Reefscapers corals, (2) turtle care.
