There are hundreds of wrecks of boats littering the bays and seas around the Irish coast. And every one of these is home to a variety of animals, which make use of the nooks and crannies, bolt-holes and turrets of each wreck.

On the hull and masts, Barnacles, Anemones and Soft Corals dominate, stuck fast to the boat, using their tentacles to filter the water for passing plankton and other food.

Under the boat lie Crabs, Prawns, Lobsters and other invertebrates such as Worms and Sea Slugs. They are able to use the boat as protection, while utilising the mud and sludge which is trapped by the hull of the wreck as an ideal place to make a burrow.

Round the periphery of the boat live fish such as Cod, Pollack, Wrasse and Ling. The wreck is an ideal place from which to mount hunting sessions, and offers an excellent hiding place for when the predator comes the prey.

And then there are the big guys, the large, powerful hunters for whom the wreck is their lair. A place to rest and sleep, and an ideal hunting ground from which little travel is required in order to find food. These big predators who rule the wreck include Ling and Bullhuss. But the biggest of them all is the Conger Eel. A 2m long lump of solid muscle, with lightning fast jaws, razor sharp teeth, and an ability to swim backwards: all this meaning that once the Conger has caught its prey from around the wreck, it can simply glide back into its lair to enjoy its meal.

At Atlantaquaria, you can get a glimpse of Conger Eels up to 30kg in weight from behind the thick, protective glass of our very own Wreck!