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The Tulsa OKAA meeting was held at the Tulsa Zoo on November 13th, 2005. The main function of this meeting was a behind the scenes tour of the aquatics areas of the zoo and a more personal and informative tour of the public side of some of the exhibits given by Gary Lunsford and his helper.

The first stop was in the Helmerich Discovery Center where we welcomed the attending members and guests and embarked on our journey. Gary first led us to the Arctic Tundra building and showed us the Surf Perch exhibit and explained how they had bred in the exhibit shortly after it had opened and several of the current inhabitants were surviving young born there. Next we traveled through the Desert, Forest and lowland exhibits and viewed several exhibits there. While inside the Lowlands Exhibit, Gary took us behind the scenes of the reef and shark tank exhibits. We were led up onto a walkway overlooking the shark tank while he fed them with cut fish. This was surely the highlight of everyone's day (I know it was mine). The inhabitants are 2 male, 1 female Nurse Sharks around 8 foot in length, 2 bonnet sharks around 3 foot and several schools of smaller fish including lookdowns which are one of my favorites to watch. I hadnˇ¦t expected such an up-close and personal experience with the sharks but it was a much relished surprise. We were also given the chance to view the reef tank from above although much less spectacular after having been splashed by an 8 foot shark moments before! After leaving the lowlands exhibit we traveled on to the conservation center and viewed the many reptiles, primates, birds and the awesome aquarium exhibits including a "Dangerous fishes" including the much released and destructive Koi and Grass carp, "Fishes of Asia" with the many large Arrowana, Giant Gouramis, Bala sharks, Tinfoin Barbs, Loaches, Tiger barbs and other bio-tope inhabitants and Gerald's favorite Ameca Splendens exhibit.

Once we had our fill of these aquariums he led us around the backside of the Tropical American Rainforest building and showed us some of their quarantine, growout and storage areas. They had many cichlids, young freshwater stingrays growing out, a "spare" electric Eel, lungfish, dart frogs, turtles, etc. We were then given a guided tour through the rainforest exhibit where many unseen animals were pointed out to see that may be missed on a self guided tour. I was never aware of the 6 foot Arapaima in the large lagoon inside that building. He can be seen best if you view through the backside of the Pacu tank where he regularly passes by the window. He can also be seen from the overview of the lagoon area if you watch closely. He resembles a floating log if you're not paying attention. If you've never been to the Tulsa zoo, I highly recommend at least seeing the Tropical American Rainforest building, it's worth the whole trip by itself. You are greeted by a thankful of very nice Thorichthys meeki (firemouth cichlids) and the first part of the walkway is littered with viewing glasses into many exhibits. Several of the exhibits are for something other than aquatic life but a few moments of attention will reveal a wealth of life below the surface as well as above. Many large shovelnose and redtail catfish, Pacu, Pirahna, Angelfish, Jurapari, Convict cichlids, electric eel, tetras and other fishes fill many of these displays. A continued walk through the rainforest (and it does feel like a rainforest) you can view many types of life. The last "room" of the building (It's actually one large building partitioned only around the walkways) is a view looking down on a large lagoon with many types of central American cichlids, large catfish and the arapaima. This whole building is full of loose frogs, monkeys (or similar animals), birds, etc. By this time we were running out of time so we headed back to the Helmerich Discovery Center to conclude the meeting and hold the auction. We attempted to take a group photo and got to watch Monica back into a cactus trying to take the picture, twice!

The following items were auctioned:

• 1 reverse trio of Scriptaphyosemion Cauveti "Kindia" went for $1 to Susan
• 1 pair of Aphyosemion Australe "gold" went for $3 to Bob
• 1 bag of Hornwort went for $1 to Kyle
• 1 bag of Corydoras Paleateus "albino" went for $3 to Monica
• 1 ruben sword went for $1 to Monica
• 1 ruben sword went for $4 to Josh
• 1 bag of Sunset Hygro went for $1 to Josh

The auction was concluded and everyone is invited back to the Tulsa Zoo on December 18th for the next meeting. A special Thanks to the Tulsa Zoo and Gary Lunsford for their support of the OKAA, please support the Tulsa Zoo every chance you get and let Gary know your appreciation.

Kyle Osterholt

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