Our Collection
+75 Central Coast Species
We currently serve as a home to over 75 different species of local San Luis Obispo County marine life including sea stars, crabs, swell sharks, moon jellies and, from time to time, a Giant Pacific Octopus. As the ocean spans across nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface, this small sample of animals represent only a fragment of the oceanic life that depends on the health and cleanliness of our oceans. Specifically focusing on the diversity of the waters off the coast of our county, our exhibits highlight the fascinating adaptations these creatures develop to survive and thrive in the seas, just footsteps away in Avila Bay.
From hands-on experiences like the Exhibit Hall’s touch tanks and close encounters with swell sharks, to engaging school programs where students of all ages can learn to walk on sea legs aboard a fishing boat or dissect a squid in our classroom lab, the Central Coast Aquarium welcomes everyone to celebrate marine science with us!
Invertebrates (meaning “without joint”) are animals without a spine or backbone. In fact, they have no bones at all! Slugs, jellyfish, crabs, and many more belong to this category.
Osteichthyes (from the Greek words for “bone” and “fish”) are fish whose skeletons are primarily made of bone tissue causing them to be commonly referred to as boney fish. The majority of fish are members of this category.
Elasmobranchs (Greek for “plate gills”) are a subclass of Chondrichthyes: jawed fish with skeletons primarily made of cartilage. These fish lack a swimming bladder and rely on oils found in their liver for buoyancy. Sharks and rays are found in this category.
Animal Facts
Our animals come from several sources—local tidepooling trips, fishing efforts, aquarium trades, and occasionally through purchases or donations. Each animal is collected responsibly and in accordance with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Tide pooling is a fun and educational way to explore the Central Coast’s diverse marine life. Right out in front of the aquarium there are tidepools exposed on a low tide, showing how much life is hiding like seastars, small crabs, anemones, and more. Tidepooling can be dangerous. Always wear sturdy shoes, walk slowly, keep your eye on the ocean, and observe the marine life, not disturb it!
Octopuses are renowned for their stealthy and calculated hunting strategies. They blend seamlessly into their surroundings or mimic small fish to ambush their prey. Once they’ve successfully captured their target, they cover it with their tentacles and body, a technique known as “parachuting.” This maneuver allows them to swiftly move their prey to a safe location or their den. Octopuses possess a unique beak located in the center of their eight arms, resembling a bird’s beak. This beak serves as a powerful tool enabling them to break the shells of crabs and use a venomous toxin to paralyze prey. In our aquarium, we feed our octopuses live crabs, while in the wild, their diet consists of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, krill, clams, mussels, snails, and oysters.