Our Sea Life

East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation, Sea-Life Aquarium

The East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation’s 850-gallon saltwater aquarium is a signature, living exhibit that brings the Peconic Estuary’s underwater world to life. Positioned as a central educational feature, the tank houses a small school of spot croaker, porgies, black sea bass, blow fish, oyster toadfish and northern red anemone native to local bays and tidal creeks, offering visitors a direct, immersive experience with the region’s marine biodiversity.

This living collection is curated and maintained to reflect the dynamic, delicate ecosystems of Long Island’s east end. For example, toadfish play an important role in oyster bed ecosystems by preying on crabs and other invertebrates that would otherwise overgraze and damage young oysters, helping to maintain the balance and resilience of the reef. Sea robins, on the other hand, help aerate the seabed and expose buried prey, indirectly influencing the availability of food for other bottom-dwelling organisms. Through interpretive signage and interactive programming, the aquarium helps visitors — from school groups to casual tourists — develop a deeper appreciation for the estuary’s ecological complexity.

The exhibit also plays a key role in the museum’s mission as an informal science center: it supports hands-on learning, encourages curiosity about conservation, and provides a focal point for seasonal programming in marine biology and environmental awareness. By maintaining a controlled, sustainable habitat for native species, the aquarium reinforces the museum’s broader goal of preserving and interpreting the maritime and ecological heritage of Greenport and the East End.