A POPULAR aquarium has introduced five new sharks to its waters.

Sea life Brighton, the world’s oldest operating aquarium, has welcomed the group of five California horn sharks.

To celebrate their birth and the festive season, the site has named the new additions after Father Christmas’s reindeer – Rudolph, Vixen, Comet, Cupid and Blitzen.

Sea life Brighton general manager Neil Harris said the pups are thriving and enjoying their time in the aquarium’s waters.

The Argus: Sea Life Brighton's California Horn Shark Sea Life Brighton's California Horn Shark

“We are delighted to welcome all these new residents to our SEA LIFE centres. Our staff work so hard throughout the breeding process to ensure all eggs have the best chance of survival, so it’s amazing to see them thriving in their new environments.

“As Christmas is right around the corner, we wanted to name the new additions something festive and we can’t wait to introduce our underwater creatures to the guests over the holiday period.”

The five new additions in Brighton are among a number of new marine creatures to have been welcomed at aquariums across the UK.

The Argus: Sea Life Hunstanton's Baby California Horn Sharks Sea Life Hunstanton's Baby California Horn Sharks

Elsewhere, Sea Life Hunstanton also welcomed two California horn sharks.

Originally hatching in September, the four-month-old female pups are now on display at the attraction and are in keeping with the festive spirit as they’ve been named Dasher and Prancer.

Sea Life Weymouth also welcomed a group of baby black tip reef sharks, which were born Sea Life Brighton before being relocated to enjoy their tropical lagoon.

The Argus: Sea Life Weymouth's Black Tip Reef Sharks Sea Life Weymouth's Black Tip Reef Sharks

The four snappers – three females and one male – like to feed on sardines and squid.

Unlike bamboo sharks, black tip reef sharks must constantly swim, as they require constant flow and movement over their gills to pump oxygen, unlike other shark species.

In Scotland, Sea Life Loch Lomond welcomed three female pyjama sharks.

The pups have been dubbed the “three wise women” at the centre and as such have taken on the names Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Pyjama sharks are notable for their thick black stripes which run parallel down their sides – which is where the name comes from. The youngsters are settling into life in Loch Lomond with ease.

Sea Life Manchester has welcomed a female cownose ray to the centre. The ray was born last month and has taken to her new habitat very well.

The cownose ray pup has followed in the festive footprints and has been named Angel, due to her angelic looks and wing-like fins.