Surfside Spotlight on Sal Puglia – New York Aquarium Fish Keeper

An Interview by Barbara Russo
Innovative. Enthusiastic. A jack-of-all-trades. These are just a few adjectives that the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium staff would use to describe Sal Puglia. When this hardworking aquarist isn’t caring for the aquarium’s extensive collection of freshwater and marine fish, this self-proclaimed fish fin-atic enjoys spending time in nature by hiking and exploring the wilderness in his home borough of Staten Island. All that, and he still found time to discuss family, work, and the world’s longest animal.

Sal, when did you start working for WCS?
I started working for WCS in 2003, when I was hired to be an aquarist at the New York Aquarium. I’ve worked with so many different species of aquatic animals, from electric eels to tropical fish to invertebrates such as sea stars, and many different kinds of reptiles.

Of all the animals you’ve worked with at the aquarium, what would you say is your favorite?
A while ago we had electric eels. I think they are very interesting, cool animals. I like the fact that they navigate using electricity because they have poor vision. The electric eel is a really great animal to work with, but I have to admit I’ve gotten zapped a few times.

As an expert on aquatic wildlife, tell us what kinds of species we may be surprised to learn live around New York City?

Believe it or not, the longest animal in the word lives right here off the coast of our city: The lion’s mane jelly. These free-swimming invertebrates can reach up to 200 feet with an 8-foot bell diameter. They get their name from the fullness of their tentacles that resemble a lion’s mane.

WCS’s NY Seascape program works to protect aquatic animals and their habitats in our area. As an aquarist and lifelong New Yorker, do you ever participate in any local conservation efforts?
Yes. Just recently, together with other keepers at the aquarium, we cultivated spartina grass, a type of marsh grass, for a Gowanus Canal restoration project. We gave them between 300 to 500 plants and shoots to help restore the wetland habitat in and around the heavily polluted Gowanus Canal.

Speaking of local, what are some of your favorite establishments within Coney Island?
The New York Aquarium first of course! And my kids love going to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. Totonno’s Pizza is a great lunch spot. I’ve been going there since I was a little kid.

When you’re not hard at work at the aquarium, how do you like to spend your time?
A majority of my free time is spent with my wife, Jen, and two boys, Nicki and Salvatore. I love playing ball with my sons and taking them on nature excursions though the Greenbelt nature preserve on Staten Island, where we live.