The Blank Park Zoo now has approximately 150 small, colorful fish called African cichlids on display in a new, nearly 700-gallon aquarium, the zoo announced Thursday.
The African cichlids residing in the zoo’s Discovery Center hail from Lake Malawi, the third-largest freshwater lake in Africa, located on the borders of Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania.
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There are more than 1,500 species of cichlids, and 500 are native to Lake Malawi, Chad Comer, the zoo’s animal curator, said in a news release. The fish have a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, blue and white, and can live seven to 10 years.
The Blank Park Zoo, 7401 S.W. Ninth St., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children younger than 12 and $7.95 for seniors and active military.
Friday, 3 July 2009
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These African cichlid fish are among the most beautiful of all fish. I love how the Zoo is displaying them with a cultural aspect -- connecting them to their African Lake Malawi.
I've been to the Blank Park Zoo and enjoyed it. Support your nice little zoo, Des Moines residents!
Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor: America's Best Zoos
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