Photos of Birch Aquarium, La Jolla

By November 7, 2005California, La Jolla, San Diego

The Birch Aquarium is located at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Completed in 1992, the aquarium was named for benefactors Stephen and Mary Birch. The Birch Aquarium contains over 60 tanks, including a 70,000 gallon kelp forest exhibit and 13,000 gallon shark tank. It is located on a bluff overlooking La Jolla Shores and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.

Visitors admire the enormous kelp forest tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.  The 70000 gallon tank is home to black seabass, broomtail grouper, garibaldi, moray eels and leopard sharks, La Jolla, California

Visitors admire the enormous kelp forest tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The 70000 gallon tank is home to black seabass, broomtail grouper, garibaldi, moray eels and leopard sharks.
Image ID: 14542
Location: Stephen Birch Aquarium, La Jolla, California, USA

Visitors admire the enormous kelp forest tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.  The 70000 gallon tank is home to black seabass, broomtail grouper, garibaldi, moray eels and leopard sharks, La Jolla, California

Visitors admire the enormous kelp forest tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The 70000 gallon tank is home to black seabass, broomtail grouper, garibaldi, moray eels and leopard sharks.
Image ID: 14543
Location: Stephen Birch Aquarium, La Jolla, California, USA

Pot-bellied seahorse, male, carrying eggs.  The developing embryos are nourished by individual yolk sacs, and oxygen is supplied through a placenta-like attachment to the male.  Two to six weeks after fertilization, the male gives birth.  The babies must then fend for themselves, and few survive to adulthood, Hippocampus abdominalis

Pot-bellied seahorse, male, carrying eggs. The developing embryos are nourished by individual yolk sacs, and oxygen is supplied through a placenta-like attachment to the male. Two to six weeks after fertilization, the male gives birth. The babies must then fend for themselves, and few survive to adulthood.
Image ID: 14472
Species: Pot-bellied seahorse, Hippocampus abdominalis

Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques

Leafy Seadragon.
Image ID: 07819
Species: Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques

A tropical reef fish tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.  Built in 1992, the Birch Aquarium has over 60 tanks including a 70000 gallon kelp forest tank and 13000 gallon shark exhibit, La Jolla, California

A tropical reef fish tank in the Stephen Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Built in 1992, the Birch Aquarium has over 60 tanks including a 70000 gallon kelp forest tank and 13000 gallon shark exhibit.
Image ID: 14550
Location: Stephen Birch Aquarium, La Jolla, California, USA

More photos of the kelp forest tank at the Birch Aquarium.

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!