The National Sea Life Centre in Bray has given a new home to an Australian potato cod named Spud after the killer fish ate several other fish in his former tank, writes Catherine Boyle.
Spud's previous owner called upon aquarium suppliers Waterworld, from Killiney, to help him when the cannibal cod devoured several of his other tropical fish.
A plucky puffer fish called Peter will share Spud's new home, a ceiling-high cylindrical tank.
While Spud currently measures a mere 16 in, he could grow to more than six feet long and could potentially weigh more than 100 kg. He may need to be relocated again, to a tropical ocean tank, before this happens.
Potato cod are solitary fish, which often stay in the same places for long periods. They are native to north western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef, where they are protected. The species gets its name from the dark brown potato-shaped blotches that cover its body.
In the wild, potato cod have a wide variety of food, including crabs, spiny lobsters and small rays. They ambush their prey, using their large mouths to pull their victims in with one gulp, as Spud's former tank mates unfortunately discovered.
Sea Life's displays supervisor said yesterday that "squid laced with vital vitamins" would be Spud's diet from now on. So Peter the puffer fish hopes.
The Sea Life representative also said the centre was "sure he's going to be a big hit with visitors".