Sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium may tune in to heavy metal

A touch of the Pete Townshend’s has added a new string to the Blue Planet Aquarium’s shiver of sharks.

The pair of bizarre-looking blackchin guitarfish are the newest addition to the attraction’s growing collection.

The bottom-dwelling sharks, which get their name from their guitar-like body shape, are set to make their first public appearance over the October half term holidays as part of the ‘Blue Planet Rocks’ event (October 24 – November 1).

The aquarium, which has one of the largest collections of sharks and rays in Europe, suggests new research has shown great white sharks react positively to music, particularly heavy metal and staff have decided to test the theory for themselves.

Phil Jones, marketing executive at the Aquarium, said: “As well as playing a variety of different music in our underwater tunnel to see if we get any reaction from the sharks, some of our dive team are also planning to test out their air guitar skills underwater. We’ve even persuaded a few of the more musical members of staff to perform,” said Phil Jones at the popular feature.

“Even the less-musically gifted among us are planning to join in the fun by dressing up as our favourite rock stars and we’re inviting visitors to get involved as well.

“We are offering one free child admission per standard ticket bought on the day for every child who arrives in 70s or 80s rock fancy dress throughout the event.”

According to experts filmed for a recent documentary on the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week the dense tones of heavy metal music attract sharks because they mimic the low frequency sounds made by an injured fish.

“If proved correct this means that when a shark hears music at the right frequency it’s like somebody rang the dinner bell,” said Phil.

Blackchin guitarfish can grow to more than 2m in length. Found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean the species spends much of its time living on the sea floor where it feeds on fish and invertebrates.

Blue Planet Aquarium is home to a large collection of sharks from sand tigers and stingrays to whitetip reef sharks and whitenose guitarfish.

Sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium may tune in to heavy metal