By James Kent
If you’ve driven along Route 7 in Rutland recently, you may have noticed a new sign near Stony Brook Plaza advertising something a bit out of the ordinary: CaptainAquatics Fins & Scales Exhibit. For those wondering what exactly CaptainAquatics is, the mystery is now solved. As of Friday, April 10, the area’s newest attraction is officially open, offering a unique look at aquatic life, reptiles, and amphibians.
CaptainAquatics Fins & Scales owner Alex Knapp provided a tour of his new exhibit on Friday, April 10.
Owned and operated by certified herpetologist Alex Knapp, the exhibit expands on work he has been doing for the past several years, rescuing and rehabilitating animals in a previously closed-door facility. Now, with a public-facing location, that mission is on full display.
“We are a rescue. We’re not like a traditional zoo that would import animals or buy from high-quality breeders,” Knapp said during a tour of the exhibit. “We just take in animals from all throughout New England that need homes.”
One of the more unique discoveries at CaptainAquatics is Sid, the flowerhorn cichlid, whose large head is quite unique for a fish of its size.
Inside, visitors will find a wide variety of species—from tortoises and snakes to exotic fish and spiders—spread across a series of carefully arranged habitats. Some animals are permanent residents, while others are still under observation or being rehabilitated.
“Up here, we have our African mud skipper, which is basically a walking fish,” Knapp said. “They can walk on both land and in water.”
Other species highlight both popularity and conservation concerns. “They are extremely critically endangered in the wild,” Knapp said of axolotls. “However, in captivity, they have a very thriving population within the animal trade.”
What sets the exhibit apart is its focus on rescue and education. Many of the animals arrived after being surrendered or removed from difficult situations.
“A lot of them have health conditions or pre-existing issues because of those previous circumstances,” Knapp said. “One of the goals of this place is not only to provide sanctuary and allow people to see and learn about them, but also to try to teach about some of those more specific health conditions.”
The idea for opening the exhibit to the public grew out of both personal passion and a clear demand in the region.
“I knew there was a lot of interest in the area,” Knapp said. “I honestly was surprised at how much reception there was… even the people that aren’t necessarily big reptile people usually find it very fascinating because it’s something unique that you don’t usually see in the area.”
Two young wildlife enthusiasts were captivated by a tortoise at CaptainAquatics Fins & Scales Exhibit on Friday, April 10.
That curiosity was evident during the grand opening, where children in attendance were visibly captivated by the animals, moving from tank to enclosure with wide-eyed fascination.
The exhibit is designed not just for viewing, but for interaction. In addition to general admission, visitors can purchase experiences that allow for closer encounters with some of the animals. The revenue generated helps with Knapp’s mission to rehab these animals, which can be costly.
For Knapp, the opening represents the realization of a long-held goal.
“This is truly a dream come true,” he said during the ribbon-cutting. “This is literally what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.”
City officials welcomed the new business during the ceremony, April 10.
“I was just saying, this is my lunch hour, and there’s nothing more important or exciting I’d rather do today than open a new business by the time my lunch hour’s over,” said Rutland Mayor Tom Donahue. “I have 13 grandchildren, so I’m probably going to be a regular here.”
Chrispin White of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region added, “On behalf of the Chamber of Economic Development, we’re excited to have you be part of the community, because I know this is going to benefit Rutland County and beyond.”
Knapp’s interest in animals started early and quickly outgrew the family home.
“He filled up his bedroom, and then we started getting worried about, like, his bedroom’s on the second floor, and we were worried about the weight loads of all the tanks,” said Knapp’s mother, Emily Knapp Marchinkowski. “So we moved everything to the basement area… and it was a big aquarium room for a long time.”
CaptainAquatics Fins & Scales Exhibit is currently open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is closed Mondays.
For more information, visit: captainafs.com.
Snake enthusiasts, or the slightly curious, will get an upclose look at several different species when they visit CaptainAquatics Fins & Scales Exhibit in Rutland.
