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60 years in the Meereseum: The Waxdick celebrates as a living relic!
Find out more about the Waxdick, the oldest fish in the Stralsund Oceaneum, and its 60-year history in the aquarium.
60 years in the Meereseum: The Waxdick celebrates as a living relic!
A very special fish lives in the Oceaneum in Stralsund, Germany's largest marine museum: The Waxdick is not only an attraction, but it could already be an impressive 60 years old this year. Caught by Usedom fishermen in 1968 and measuring around 50 cm at the time, the sturgeon was brought to the Maritime Museum as a young animal. Today it measures an impressive 2.50 m and could be estimated to weigh around 30 kg. What a life story!
There is much that is remarkable about this impressive animal. The Waxdick lives in the “river mouth” basin, which has an area of 25.8 m² and holds 64,500 liters of water. In the company of other fish species such as silverfish, trout, Atlantic salmon and Baltic snail, the waxdick represents the perfect combination of tradition and nature. It has also attracted particular attention from prominent visitors, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who were impressed by its charm and size.
A look into the Oceaneum
Since its opening in July 2008, the Meeresum has attracted many visitors and has an exhibition area of 8,700 square meters and 40 aquariums with a total of 6 million liters of sea water. Around 7,000 sea creatures live here, including spectacular exhibits such as humpback whales, killer whales and sperm whales. Those interested can plunge into the sea adventure during opening hours from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (from October to May until 7 p.m.).
The ticket prices are family-friendly: adults pay 18 euros, reduced tickets 14 euros and children up to 3 years of age have free entry. There are discounts available for families to help with ticket purchases. The combination ticket for the Oceaneum, the Maritime Museum and the Natureum, which is valid for a one-time visit to all locations, is particularly practical.
A philosopher among fish
Back to the Waxdick: its lifespan and the way it is fed are equally impressive. Because sturgeons like waxdick have no scales, it is difficult to determine their exact age; the basis for this are otholites, which can only be examined after the animal's death. The Oceaneum is planning a celebration of its 60th anniversary at the Maritime Museum in 2028, reflecting its long and exciting history.
Stralsund also offers numerous accommodation options around the Meereseum, from youth hostels to hotels, and recommended restaurants such as the Hansekeller or the Ventspils fish restaurant round off the visit. Anyone interested in the beauty of the northern seas and their inhabitants will definitely get their money's worth here.
For more information about the Oceaneum and its impressive residents, visit the official website oceaneum.de.
Further details about the history of Waxdick can be found at NNN and for more about the entire Oceaneum HNA.