Waxdick turns 60: The Grand Master of Sturgeons in the Meeresum is celebrating his anniversary!

Waxdick turns 60: The Grand Master of Sturgeons in the Meeresum is celebrating his anniversary!

There is a very special fish in Stralsund that, for many, represents a living piece of history: the Waxdick. At almost 60 years old, he has set a respectable age record, as this sturgeon is one of the oldest fish in the Meereseum Stralsund. His exciting life story begins in 1968, when the approximately 50 cm long fish was caught by Usedom fishermen. At that time, his age was estimated to be around three years old. After his arrival at the Maritime Museum, he lived there until 2008, when he moved to his new home in the Oceaneum, where he has since been transported by elevator to his new pool, as Uckermarkkurier reports.

Today the Waxdick is fed a delicious mix of shrimp, mussels and squid and has reached an estimated weight of 30 kg and a length of around 2.50 m. Quite a nice chunk! Anyone who is fascinated not only by the appearance of the fish but also by its habits can enjoy a special feeding event on Tuesdays at 1.30 p.m., during which the divers climb directly into the tank to ensure that the waxdick and its relatives receive enough food. Visitors can even observe how the sturgeons protrude their mouths several centimeters to grab the delicacies, as Urlaubsnachrichten reports.

A significant member of the sturgeon family

The Waxdick is not only an older gentleman in the Oceaneum, he also has the privilege of being named Fish of the Year 2014. This makes it a well-known and popular attraction in the region. In addition, the Waxdick points to a critical situation, because all sturgeon species to which it belongs are threatened with extinction worldwide. Two species of sturgeon were once native to Germany, the European sturgeon and the Atlantic sturgeon. These transformed into the gallant fish they are today and could reach great lengths of up to three meters, as Wikipedia notes.

But the dangers for the sturgeons are diverse. Overfishing, habitat destruction and illegal caviar production are some of the main threats affecting these impressive fish. The exact age of the Waxdick is determined using special hearing stones, which only allow the age to be determined after its death. But for now, this impressive sturgeon lives in the estuary basin, surrounded by other fish species such as bluebirds and Baltic snails, and enjoys excellent health.

A solemn occasion is approaching

An anniversary is in the starting blocks: a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the wax dick's entry into the Maritime Museum is planned for 2028. It turns out that this fish is more than just a simple inhabitant of the Oceaneum. He embodies history, conservation and the hope for a better future for his species. Visitors to the Oceaneum are invited to be inspired by the diversity of sea creatures while raising awareness of the need for nature conservation.