Acoustic characterization of seahorse tank environments in public aquaria

Professional aquarists from nine U.S. public aquaria participated in a citizen science project to characterize ambient noise in marine ornamental aquaria containing seahorses (Hippocampus spp.). Participants collected data on tank design specifications and acoustic recordings from the middle of the water column of each tank surveyed. Ambient noise in aquaria was very variable, ranging in total RMS power from 116.3 to 142.9 dB SPL (re: 1  Pa), with a mean total RMS power of 126.1…