Wanna treat your sweetheart to a unique experience this Valentine's Day? Don't just take her to dinner, bring her to SeaWorld San Antonio for our Valentine’s Dinner. We've transformed our Sharks/The Coral Reef exhibit into an intimate setting for dinner on Sunday, February 13th. This romantic Valentine's buffet adorned with candlelight, music, flowers and sensational food is sure to make your evening a night to remember. As you are gazing into each other’s eyes and enjoying your food, here are some things to look for in our aquarium exhibits.
Our aquarium department is responsible for most of the park’s cold-blooded animals; including fish, sharks, rays, invertebrates, alligators, and frogs. Since romance is the theme, I figured I’d talk a little about “romance” in the life of the fish. Of course, keep in mind that the term cold-blooded is in no way in reference to their behavior, but just the fact that they do not regulate their own body temperature. Be sure to look close at our sea grass exhibit. One fish you will see there that is truly unique and not be missed is the Mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus). These are about 3” long, with an amazing array of colors. You may be able to see a pair engaged in courting behavior. This would involve the male circling around an interested female. The male is the one that has a large filament on the top of the dorsal fin. You might also see one male chasing off potential rivals in order to win the heart of the female. 
Also not to be missed are our Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari), which call our 300,000 gallon coral reef exhibit home. The exhibit houses six females and two males. When romance is in the air for them, it is common for the male stingray to bite on the back edge of the females pectoral fins (the large, wing-like fins). This is his way of telling her she’s cute and maybe he’d like to spend some time with her. Around the corner from our shark exhibit are our poison dart frogs (pictured below). If you listen closely, you may be able to hear the males calling to the females, hoping to attract their attention. We have several species of dart frogs, and it is quite difficult to tell them apart, but the males are often larger and sometimes have a hunched back. It is only the male that calls, so also look and listen for the dart frogs' serenade.
Most of all, we want you to have a unique and romantic experience in our aquarium gallery. So inbetween whispering sweet nothings to one another, be sure to check out our living coral displays, sharks, eels and many beautiful fish. Above all, have a wonderful evening! Bon appetit!
