Oyster reefs are essential to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Oysters are filter feeders and help keep Bay waters clean which is essential for the growth of sea grasses. An adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in a day. They also help to trap sediment and remove excess nutrients from the water. As oysters grow they develop oyster reefs. These reefs provide essential habitat to a multitude of animals, such as fish and crabs. Oysters are also important commercially as they are harvested for human consumption.
This aquarium was developed to mimic a typical oyster reef found in the Lafayette River. All organisms were collected from the Lafayette River. See if you can find some of the animals from the pictures in the aquarium.
This aquarium was developed and is maintained by the Department of Ocean & Earth Sciences at Old Dominion University. If you have any questions concerning this aquarium please contact Peter Bernhardt pbernhar@odu.edu
