CVTU partnered with Newtown, CT based EverWonder Children’s museum in 2020 to provide a TIC experience for the children, parents and grandparents visiting the museum. CVTU chapter provided the equipment and supplies, set-up expertise, constructed a mobile tank stand with detachable insulation, and hand painted trout mobiles for this exhibit. A grant from Aquarion Water Company deferred some of the start-up and operational costs. Visit EverWonder’s website here
TIC Tanks with “Babies”
EverWonder’s first TIC attempt was cut short in 2020 due to COVID-19 as uncertainty around proper virus cleaning protocols and treatments meant the museum had to close in March, which was only a few weeks after the eggs hatched. The fish were released between the dams on the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook.
Happily, 2021 appears to be set for a great experience at the Museum with almost all CVTU’s TIC tanks now idle due to schools doing only remote learning. On January 7ththe CT State DEEP Hatchery provided EverWonder 388 fertilized eggs which have produced 359 babies as the Museum’s Executive Director Merredith Christos likes to think of them. With so many young trout we expect there will be several release events to thin the tank population as they grow. Check out our video of the EverWonder TIC Tank at YouTube here
Eggs in the process of hatching…
Randy Walker - CVTU TIC Coordinator
One unique opportunity of the EverWonder is that they are not limited to the school year and can keep a portion of the fish in the tank until next year’s eggs are delivered, meaning larger fish being released. EverWonder is also sharing via YouTube updates on its babies each Tuesday and Thursday. If you have young children or grandchildren and want to visit EverWonder, go to their website everwondermuseum.org. for reservations, times and admission information. Tell them CVTU sent you.