A Match for Morty! Celebrating TOGETHERNESS in the CMTM Aquarium

Morty, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine’s resident Musk Turtle.

A Match for Morty!

Celebrating TOGETHERNESS in the CMTM Aquarium

When the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine relocated from Free Street to Thompson’s Point and built the aquarium “From the Mountains to the Sea,” one of the first animals to move in was Morty, our resident Musk Turtle.

Several months later, Henry the Painted Turtle arrived, and while they seemed to get along at first, it quickly became clear that the two turtles had incompatible personalities and could not live in the same tank long term. Morty was moved to a different tank and introduced to Sappy, a young Spotted Turtle. Unfortunately, this match, too, was not meant to be. It became clear that Morty did not like other turtles.

Blacknose Dace in their home at CMTM.

Did that mean that Morty had to live alone? Could we find her some tankmates whom she did like?

We knew she had gotten along well with the fishes in her old tank, so we decided that when we could acquire more species of fish, we would see if they got along with Morty. A few months later, that opportunity came with the arrival of a school of Blacknose Dace; small, fast minnows that inhabit most small streams and creeks in Maine.

When they were introduced to Morty, there were some concerns about what might happen. Would the hyperactive lifestyle of the dace clash with Morty’s calm and collected nature? Would Morty try to catch and eat the dace?

Luckily, all concerns were unfounded!

Morty finally had some tankmates with whom she not only got along, but whom she seemed to enjoy. Today, (when she isn’t napping) Morty can often be seen on her log, calmly watching the dace busily going about their day. When Morty is fed, the dace have learned to follow her around to clean up the scraps of food she leaves behind.

This sort of behavior (scavengers following larger animals in order to feed on their leftovers) is very common in the wild, and not just with turtles! Sharks are often followed by groups of pilot fish, Arctic foxes will commonly be seen shadowing polar bears, and here in Maine, flocks of gulls will mob fishing boats. This behavior is an example of what scientists call Commensalism: a relationship between two species where one benefits and the other does not, but is also not harmed. The dace get a free meal, and while Morty may not get much out of the relationship, she definitely does not mind sharing her space with her tank mates.

Come visit Morty and the Blacknose Dace Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm in From the Mountains to the Sea Aquarium on the 3rd floor!

The Blacknose Dace enjoying the benefits of living with Morty! Video: Colin Marshall