Launch Of The Hall Of Fishes Exhibition And Marine Aquarium

Launch Of The Hall Of Fishes Exhibition And Marine Aquarium Sharing Moments

The National Museums of Kenya unveiled on the 20^th July 2018, two landmark exhibits of fresh and marine water fishes: the Hall of Fishes and the Marine Aquarium. The diversity of fish species in Kenya remains less known and appreciated at large. With more than 350 known fishes occurring in lakes and rivers, and more than 1000 marine fishes of the Western Indian Ocean, most of Kenyans can only name a few species.

The Hall of Fishes in the Nairobi National Museum is an exhibition developed in response to public demand for knowledge on fish diversity. This exhibition presents freshwater fishes of Kenya and incorporates traditional fishing gear and cultures associated with fishing practices of Kenyan communities.

This exhibition is a collaboration of fish scientists with anthropologists and exhibition experts to bring to life, a world of fishes and related cultures. The live color casts of fishes are displayed along a river mural to transport visitors to an underwater world showing occurrences of fish in different habitats. The marine aquarium is a collaboration between the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Tropical Sea Life, displays a diversity of fishes occurring in the Indian Ocean. It includes soft corals and fishes occurring the coral reefs. It also includes sea urchins, sea anemones, and starfish among others.

The exhibitions development will continue to improve on the diversity and quality of presentations
after the opening based on visitor’s feedback and engagement with diverse partners.