Ruins Lagoon
Located in the Royal Towers, and viewable from within The Dig or the lower level of the Great Hall of Waters, the Ruins Lagoon, filled with ancient Atlantis artifacts, is home to over 20,000 deep reef and pelagic fish. These open-water fish include a variety of tuna, jacks, snappers and spiny lobster. The 2.7 million-gallon exhibits allow for the magnificent display of certain species of fish that are normally impossible or very difficult to view without getting wet.
Featuring:
Manta Ray
Manta birostris
This magnificent creature can grow to an impressive width of 22 ft. Manta Rays do not possess barbs or "stingers" on their tails and are considered relatively harmless. Unusual fins in front of their heads, cephalic lobes, unfurl during feeding time to help sweep plankton into their mouths. When mantas outgrow the exhibit they are safely transported via helicopter, and released back into the ocean.
Jacks
Caranx Latus
This schooling pelagic fish is found as deep as 60 ft. Juveniles can be found along sandy beaches. They feed on small fish and invertebrates. They do not shy away from divers, often approaching rapidly and swirling around. They can grow to a length of 2 ft.
Gray Snapper
Lutjanus griseus
Able to tolerate a broad range of salinity levels, they live in fresh water and saltwater. Frequently found around coral reefs, in estuaries and mangrove habitats, feeding on small fish, shrimp, crabs and mollusks. They rarely exceed 18 in. or 10 lbs.
Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
Typically inhabiting rocks, caves and crevices they can grow up to a total body length of 2 ft. To make up for a lack of claws, this species has spines over its body and antennae for defense. Lobsters grow by crawling out of their old shells, splitting their bodies where the tail and head are joined, a process called “molting”. During molting they are extremely vulnerable to predators including other lobsters.