Bristol Aquarium’s popular white spotted puffer fish (Arothron hispidus) has sadly passed away.
Staff found the puffer fish had died peacefully overnight earlier this week. Following a post-mortem a backlog of eggs were found that could not be released due to a calcium lump in the body.
Known to staff as Hank, the puffer fish was very intelligent. The Zoological team at Bristol Aquarium had enjoyed teaching her to target feed using a green hula hoop, where she would be fed in the circle. This was not only good fun for Hank but also a great way to monitor her eating.
Hank was donated to Bristol Aquarium in 2013 by a member of the public and has since lived in the attraction’s large Coral Reef display. She shared her 250,000 litre home with a whole host of tropical marine species from fellow puffer fish and sharks to an array of colourful shoaling fish.
Hank was an eye catching, friendly puffer fish who was a loved by staff and visitors alike and who will be sorely missed.
