Have you noticed the bold split coloring of a Boesemani rainbowfish or watched a red cleaner shrimp wave its white antennae to invite passing fish in for a cleaning? Did you know cuckoo catfish rely on a remarkable egg‑swapping strategy to raise their young, or that Northern clingfish use a suction‑cup‑like disc to hold fast in rushing water? 

Greater Cleveland Aquarium highlights these and other diminutive animals during Spring Discovery Days, March 13 – April 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Animal encounters, small species shoutouts, a “Spot a Spotted” challenge, interactive Discovery Carts, a fill-in booklet and short videos are all part of this celebration of nature’s hidden influencers and are included with regular Aquarium admission.

While standing beneath sandtiger sharks gliding through 230,000 gallons of saltwater is a defining Aquarium moment, Curator Ray Popik hopes Spring Discovery Days encourages guests to linger on some of the Aquarium’s more understated standouts. Details like a clownfish’s specialized mucus coating, the bristlenose pleco’s suction‑cup mouth, the bark‑like texture of Vietnamese mossy frogs or the spade‑shaped snout of an Eastern spiny softshell turtle reveal how small features help animals navigate a big world.

“Our unique design makes those details easier to see,” says Popik. Set on the ground floor of a historic brick powerhouse, the Aquarium’s retrofit habitats feature floor‑to‑ceiling, overhead and 180‑ to 360‑degree views that bring guests closer to the action.

Visit greaterclevelandaquarium.com or call (216) 862-8803 for more information.