West Indian manatees are slow, gentle giants, and they're one of the best animals for an underwater viewing area. A manatee river with a tunnel or viewing window quickly becomes one of the busiest spots in the zoo. One of my guests' thoughts was literally "Seeing a West Indian manatee clearly was awesome."
Building a manatee river
- A large river-style pool with clean water. Plenty of pumps and filtration.
- Fresh water.
- Underwater viewing paths so guests can see them swim. A path that runs below the water line with glass works brilliantly.
- Space for a growing family. Manatees breed in captivity, so plan room for calves.
River water vs aquarium water
You can choose the water type:
- River water looks more natural.
- Aquarium water is clearer, so guests see the manatees better.
The choice is purely visual, so pick whatever suits your build.
Tankmates
Clown loach shoals can share a manatee river. They add colour and movement, and some loaches come in colour variants (I got a pink one). Check the cohabitation list before adding any other species.
Thriving
Manatees can reach thriving with a well-sized, clean river and the right companions. Research them with a vet to see the full thriving list.
Where to put them
- An indoor tropical house with a manatee river running through it, fed by an otter river upstream, is one of my favourite builds.
- A Manatee Springs area with an underwater pathway and a ranger station works on a North American map.
Tips
- Keep the viewing glass clean of rocks and plants so guests have a clear line of sight.
- Benches by the underwater window give guests somewhere to rest while watching.