Did you know that there are lots of remarkable treasures along the Norwegian coastline: in the fjords, in the rivers and in the lakes? Everyone is familiar with the bearded cod, but few people know that the hagfish was voted Norway’s national fish. Many people shrink back when they see these eels twisting and coiling in the cement pipe. There is a rumour amongst the staff here that there is an eel living in the walls of the aquarium called the coastal zone. Here everyone can bend down and feel what a crab or starfish feels like, or pick up a sea urchin to inspect it more closely. The secretive eel apparently only comes out to eat at night, so it isn’t easy to get to know it. But who knows – maybe you will spot it next time you are here?

The shimmering light flashing like silver amongst a shoal of herring creates a very special atmosphere, and you won’t be wondering what a Martian looks like after seeing an anglerfish at close quarters. Norwegian children’s TV voted the piked dogfish and the small-spotted catshark Norway’s “coolest” fish. The catfish was voted the ugliest. We would like to show you how many exciting fish and animals that live along the Norwegian coast, and we hope to make you as proud of this fantastic ecosystem as we are!