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AQUARIUM EXHIBITS

Mystery Reef

Want to solve a mystery? Use your brain coral and start "kraken" the case at this interactive exhibit for all ages at Mote. After your visit, click the link below to solve the mystery—enter the password in lowercase letters with no spaces. Good luck, coral detectives!

Get Tickets! Visited already? Solve the mystery here!

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Calling All Coral Detectives…

Coral reefs, the rainforests of the sea, are in serious danger. Help us find out what’s hurting the corals and how we can help. Become a coral detective and uncover clues throughout Mystery Reef while learning about real coral science and restoration at Mote Marine Laboratory.

Mystery Reef is included with regular admission at Mote Aquarium. Mote is open from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236.

Whodunnit?

Visitors can investigate these suspects to learn who is harming our coral reefs and how to help.

AFTER YOUR VISIT, SOLVE THE MYSTERY! (Enter the scavenger hunt password in lowercase letters with no spaces.)

Cartoon of a coral-shaped flame named Hot-headed hector, who represents high temperatures that cause coral bleaching — Hot-headed Hector represents high temperatures that cause coral bleaching

Cartoon of a sad blue coral named Miss Match, who represents when coral parents can't pair up — Miss Match represents when coral parents can't pair up

Cartoon of a bright green blob wearing a danger sign who is nicknamed Corrosive Carl, who represents ocean acidification — Corrosive Carl represents ocean acidification

Cartoon of a lionfish in pirate garb nicknamed Captain Conqueror, who represents invasive species — Captain Conqueror represents invasive species

Cartoon of a grim reaper character named Sickly Sal, who represents coral disease — Sickly Sal represents coral disease

Gallery at a Glance

Here's how people of all ages can enjoy Mystery Reef:

Solve our scavenger hunt mystery and earn your coral detective badge!
Enter our giant inflatable coral!
Bop an invasive lionfish!
Build a reef with big puzzle blocks!
Celebrate coral parents and babies with our fast-paced air maze!
See how corals can transform from stressed to strong with help from Mote science!

Mystery Reef is paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

A young visitor plays with the giant foam puzzle of a coral reef at the Mystery Reef exhibit at Mote.

Guests bop the invasive lionfish during the opening celebration for Mystery Reef

An "air maze" (winding tubes that pull in and then blow out scarves so visitors can watch the scarves move through) set up to represent a coral reproduction process called spawning

A digital game that allows visitors to place corals and other objects near the coastline to see how they break up waves and protect our homes

SEE THE SEA

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Two boys view the large sharks and one of them points up at t a shark swimming close by in Mote Aquarium

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Mystery Reef

Calling All Coral Detectives…

Whodunnit?

Gallery at a Glance

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