April 2010 - Kitchener Waterloo Aquarium Society

A P R I L 2 0 1 0At its grand opening the 27,500 lives lost in the canal’sconstruction were a foot-note of history – a manageable loss inthat time in exchange for a marvel of engineering. The marvelwhich remains is that the now nearly 100 year old gigantic steeldoors that open and close as the water rises and falls in thelocks to the tune of 14,000 ships transiting the canal annually,still work perfectly. The average toll charged for a one waysailing is $30,000 in US dollars and 52 million gallons of freshwater escapes into the ocean with each ship.There are a number of studies that suggest fishes actually canand do make the transit, but with 40 odd miles of freshwater inthe middle of the system, it remains largely brackish waterfishes like gobies that freely explore the route. The freshwaterspecies apparently shy clear of both ends where a significantamount of salt water permeates through with every inboundship although sport fishermen it is claimed can reap the benefitsof peacock bass, tarpon and snook all in the same day’s fishin’.So tell me about the LFS scene in Panama I hear you asking.You saw the betta display earlier and I can add that the tanksand hard goods photos we took could easily have been from astore anywhere in North America. Racks of fishes and rowupon row of familiar Canadian brands like Nutrafin andAquaclear abounded.All of this is possible because it rains here – a lot. Witness thecontractors taking shelter while working on the 5 billion dollar(US) widening of the canal through the Gaillard Cut whichbreaches the continental divide, along with new super-sizedlocks which will beget even larger ships. At least they havemodern machinery and technology although that tin roofthey’re hiding under is decidedly ‘old school’ in design. At leastyellow fever and malaria as any tourist is forewarned are nowpreventable.Packaged plastic plants and an interesting assortment of fishesrounded out the store. Of special note, maintenance of the tankswas first rate and business seemed brisk. As you can seegoldfishes are the international favourite, here as elsewhere, butit was a striking discus that caught TMA’s eye this day. Thecolours were magnificent, especially for a store-kept discus. Getout that hose and pail, this one deserves a water change. -TMA8