DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

Yanbaru Forest

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Osphronemidae
distribution
East to Southeast Asia

Taiwan Goldfish

Scientific name
Macropodus opercularis
English name
Paradise fish

Features

This small fish, about 7-8 cm long, lives in ponds and rice paddies. It is also found in the Ryukyu Islands and other areas of Japan. When breeding, the male first makes a foam nest on the surface of the water and welcomes the female. The female then lays eggs in the nest, which the male guards. During this time, there may be fierce fights with other males.

From the breeding staff

Due to their aggressive temperament, they are also known as "fighting fish." The sight of them spreading their fins and threatening each other is very beautiful, but the fish themselves are desperate.

Reptiles

Classification
Alligatoridae
distribution
North and Central South America

Smooth-fronted caiman

Scientific name
Paleosuchus trigonatus
English name
Smooth-fronted caiman

Features

This species is slightly larger than the pygmy caiman, growing to a maximum length of about 1.8m. It mainly inhabits shallow streams, but as it grows it spends more time on land, away from the water. It preys on fish, amphibians, and small Mammals. It is very quick when catching its prey, but normally it barely moves.

From the breeding staff

They enjoy sunbathing, so please keep an eye on them kindly when they are on land.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin

Freshwater angelfish

Scientific name
Pterophyllum scalare
English name
Freshwater angelfish

Features

It is characterized by its tall body and long dorsal, pelvic and anal fins. Its name comes from the way it swims beautifully like an angel with its large fins. It lives in waters with almost no current and preys on crustaceans, small fish and insects.

From the breeding staff

This fish is responsible for raising its young. It is usually gentle, but becomes aggressive after spawning. It will bite the hands of the zookeeper to protect the eggs.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Arestidae
distribution
India

Congo tetra

Scientific name
Phenacogrammus interruptus
English name
Congo tetra

Features

A medium-sized carp native to India. It has a docile personality but is a strong swimmer and swims actively in schools. It is named after the shape of its body, which resembles a torpedo.

From the breeding staff

Depending on the light reflected, it will shine in various colors such as blue and green. Try looking for an angle that suits you.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Characidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin, Orinoco River Basin

Cachama

Scientific name
Colossoma macropomum
English name
Cachama

Features

Because they have very strong teeth, they eat mainly hard nuts that fall to the surface of the water, even though they are omnivorous fish. Although they look very similar to piranhas, this species is docile and usually lives alone.

From the breeding staff

It is a cute-looking fish with a round body shape, and has an appetite that rivals that of other larger fish.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae
distribution
India, Southeast Asia

Denison barb

Scientific name
Puntius denisonii
English name
Denison barb

Features

It is characterized by a black line running down the entire side of its body and a red line running from its head to its abdomen. Its name comes from the fact that its body shape resembles a torpedo.

From the breeding staff

Taking photos of them can be a challenge as they are constantly swimming around, so try your best to not give in to them.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Pimelodidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin, Orinoco River Basin

Redtail catfish

Scientific name
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
English name
Redtail catfish

Features

A large, nocturnal tropical fish that is a member of the catfish family. It is characterized by a thick white band on its side and a reddish tail fin, from which it gets its name. In addition to fish and crabs, it also eats fruit. Its huge mouth can swallow food the same size as itself.

From the breeding staff

They generally rest at the bottom of the tank, but they often swim around during feeding time.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Western Pacific Ocean

Barred mudskipper

Scientific name
Periophthalmus argentilineatus
English name
Barred Mudskipper

Features

They live in muddy tidal flats and mangroves near river mouths. They can breathe through their skin as well as through their gills, so they often live on land. Their entire body is covered in mucus to prevent their body from drying out. On land, they move using their pectoral fins, but when startled, they may jump with their tail fin.

From the breeding staff

When I occasionally look into the tank, I see them waiting for food on driftwood, and when I put my hand in the water, they come up. Just watching them is soothing.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order: Amazonian Rays, Family: Acanthidae
distribution
Rio de la Plata Basin, Amazon Basin

South american freshwater stingray

Scientific name
Potamotrygon motoro
English name
South american freshwater stingray

Features

A type of stingray that lives in freshwater, it has a powerful venomous stinger at the base of its tail. It is characterized by a yellowish-brown body with a doughnut-shaped pattern.

From the breeding staff

Its mouth is located under its body, so it's cute how it hangs over its body and rummages around eating its food.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Pectiniformes, Family Melanotaeniidae
distribution
Lake Kutubu and its surrounding rivers on the island of New Guinea

Lake kutubu rainbowfish

Scientific name
Melanotaenia lacustris
English name
Lake kutubu rainbowfish

Features

A member of the rainbow fish family, it is characterized by its blue body color. When males reach maturity, their heads turn yellow and yellow lines appear on their sides. Wild specimens are considered to be in danger of extinction.

From the breeding staff

Rainbow fish come in a variety of colors and shapes. This species, as its name suggests, has a beautiful blue color.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Costa Rica, Nicaragua

Red devil

Scientific name
Amphilophus citrinellus
English name
Red devil

Features

A Freshwater Fish that lives in rivers and lakes. Its entire body is reddish in color. As males grow, a large bump appears on their heads. It has a violent personality and may threaten other fish by butting heads. It preys on crustaceans and small fish.

From the breeding staff

Although this species has a cute little mouth, it has a bad temperament and will usually chase any new fish that come along. However, the shape of its mouth is not suited to attacking, so it has little attacking power.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Ophiodontiformes Ophiodontiformes
distribution
Amazon River Basin

Arapaima

Scientific name
Arapaima gigas
English name
Arapaima

Features

One of the world's largest Freshwater Fish. Its appearance has remained almost unchanged for over 100 million years, making it known as a living fossil. The name "Pira" comes from fish and "Uruk" from the nut from which red pigment is extracted, and is derived from the red spots on the rear half of its body and tail fin. It grows to about 2-3m in length, but in the past, individuals as long as 5m have been confirmed.

From the breeding staff

This fish is famous for being one of the largest Freshwater Fish in the world. It swallows food whole with its huge mouth. The one we have at our aquarium is still small, so we're looking forward to seeing it in the future.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Characidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin

Red piranha

Scientific name
Pygocentrus nattereri
English name
Red piranha

Features

Although it has an image of being a dangerous fish, it rarely attacks humans, is timid, and lives in groups. It has sharp teeth and a bright red abdomen. It is carnivorous and preys on fish, insects, etc.

From the breeding staff

Although it does have a scary side, this fish is also cute when you look at it from the side with its mouth sticking out.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Siluriformes, Siluridae
distribution
Mekong River Basin, Chao Phraya River Basin, Southeast Asia

Glass catfish

Scientific name
Kryptopterus bicirrhis
English name
Glass catfish

Features

Apart from the head, it has almost no pigment and no scales, so its internal organs and bones can be seen through its glass-like transparent body. It is a member of the catfish family, has two long baleen, and swims in schools near the mid-level rather than the bottom. It feeds on small crustaceans and aquatic insects.

From the breeding staff

It has no scales and its transparent body allows you to see its internal organs and bones! It's a skeletal fish! Its internal organs are not visible, so its food cannot be seen through!

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Datnioidae
distribution
Indonesia

Finescale tigerfish

Scientific name
Datnioides microlepis
English name
Finescale tigerfish

Features

It lives in water areas with a lot of vegetation. It has a distinctive white and black striped pattern, and is nicknamed "tiger fish" for its appearance. It preys on small fish, crustaceans, and insects.

From the breeding staff

Many of them are timid and tend to stay in the corners of the tank. However, when it comes time to feed them, they will eat just as much as larger fish.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Pimelodidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin

Barred sorubim

Scientific name
Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum
English name
Barred sorubim

Features

A large catfish. It has a long, flat body and six baleen. Its name comes from the black tiger pattern that runs from the back to the sides of its body. It preys on fish and crustaceans by sucking them in with its large mouth.

From the breeding staff

This fish is actually a little thinner in body shape, but the one we have at the museum is very greedy... so it has become a little thicker in body.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Archerfishes
distribution
Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia

Spotted archerfish

Scientific name
Toxotes chatareus
English name
Spotted archerfish

Features

As its name suggests, it has seven black spots on its body and lives in brackish waters around mangroves and river mouths. It has the habit of shooting water from its mouth to shoot down insects and other creatures on the surface of the water.

From the breeding staff

Although they are a little timid, they have very good eyesight and will approach the front of the aquarium when they see that there is food there.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Ophiodontiformes Ophiodontiformes
distribution
Amazon River Basin

Silver arowana

Scientific name
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
English name
Silver arowana

Features

This large Freshwater Fish is said to be an ancient fish that existed over 100 million years ago. It has two barbels at the tip of its chin and a unique mouth that opens upwards to catch food on or above the water. It can also jump over one meter above the water to catch insects that have landed on tree branches.

From the breeding staff

If you look at them from above, they may mistake it for feeding time and come over. They are all quick to judge.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Garidae
distribution
Central America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific

Tropical gar

Scientific name
Atractosteus tropicus
English name
Tropical garden

Features

A type of ancient fish that has barely changed in appearance for about 100 million years. Unlike other gars, it has a short, wide snout. It is carnivorous and feeds on crustaceans and fish.

From the breeding staff

Unlike the platinum alligator gar, this is a jet black member of the gar family. Although it is small, it eats just as much food as other larger fish.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Electric eels, Apteronautidae
distribution
Venezuela, Peru

Black ghost

Scientific name
Apteronotus albifrons
English name
Black ghost

Features

Its body is pitch black and has a knife-like shape. Its eyes are degenerate, but it can avoid obstacles and detect food by sending out a weak electric current from its body. It is nocturnal, so it often hides in the shade of rocks during the day.

From the breeding staff

A ghost-like fish that moves back and forth. If you feed it, it will come and eat it with great force! Please take a look!

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Pectiniformes, Family Melanotaeniidae
distribution
Lakes in the northwest of New Guinea

Boesemani rainbow fish

Scientific name
Melanotaenia boesemani
English name
Boeseman's rainbowfish

Features

A member of the rainbow fish family, its body is colored blue and orange. It has a gentle personality, but during the breeding season, males frequently engage in a threatening behavior known as "fin spreading," where they spread their fins wide to claim territory or compete for females.

From the breeding staff

The male's back is raised. But is it too raised? I'm a little worried.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Lake Malawi in Africa

Azur-cichlide

Scientific name
Sciaenochromis fryeri
English name
Electric blue hap

Features

An endemic species that lives in Lake Malawi in Africa. Adult males have a bright blue body color. Known as mouthbrooders, females hold the eggs in their mouths after spawning and continue to raise the young in their mouths for a while after they hatch.

From the breeding staff

Many cichlid species protect and raise their eggs and young. It's love.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Pectiniformes, Family Melanotaeniidae
distribution
Lake Sentani and its surrounding rivers on the island of New Guinea

Red rainbowfish

Scientific name
Glossolepis incises
English name
Red rainbowfish

Features

A member of the rainbow fish family, characterized by their tall body height and red body color. Males tend to be taller than females. Rainbow fish originally lived in the sea, but they gradually moved from the sea to rivers and adapted to freshwater.

From the breeding staff

Although it is called "rainbow", this fish does not look like a rainbow. However, it is as shiny as any other fish!

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Amazon River in South America

Oscar

Scientific name
Astronotus ocellatus
English name
Oscar

Features

They can grow to a maximum length of 30-40cm and come in a wide variety of body colors and patterns. They have eye-like patterns on their bodies that are said to deceive predators such as waterfowl and piranhas that target their eyes. They are carnivorous, eating small fish and crustaceans. When breeding, they lay 1,000-3,000 eggs at a time, and, unusually in the fish world, the parents take care of the young.

From the breeding staff

This fish's body color varies greatly depending on its habitat. This may be a bit of a geeky topic, but I personally prefer the Oscar from the Araguaia River in Brazil.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
Nile River, Niger River

Globe fish

Scientific name
Tetraodon lineatus
English name
Globe fish

Features

When fully grown, they reach a body length of about 40 cm, which makes them large among freshwater pufferfish. They have sharp, strong teeth to eat hard shellfish, etc. They prey on small crustaceans, small fish, shellfish, etc.

From the breeding staff

When the zookeeper comes to the tank, the fish comes over to ask for food. They are a type of pufferfish with beautiful patterns on their bodies and red eyes.

Birds & Others

Classification
Owls, Strigidae
distribution
Okinawa main island, Yagaji Island

Sunda scops owl

Scientific name
Otus lempiji pryeri
English name
Sunda scops owl

Features

A subspecies of the great screech owl that is distributed as a resident bird throughout Japan, it is characterized by its yellow eyes. It lives in tree hollows and holes in the ground in forests, and feeds on grasshoppers, geckos, etc.

From the breeding staff

It's hiding somewhere in the aquarium. Try looking for it in the hole in the tree inside the aquarium!

Birds & Others

Classification
Lepidoptera Nymphalidae
distribution
Kikai Island, the Ryukyu Islands south of the Okinawa Islands

Tree nymph butterfly

Scientific name
Idea leuconoe
English name
Tree nymph butterfly

Features

The largest species of butterfly that lives in Japan. When it is a pupa it is golden in color, and when it becomes a butterfly it has a white base with black spots. It has been selected as the prefectural butterfly of Okinawa Prefecture as a symbol of the conservation and regeneration of the natural environment.

From the breeding staff

It doesn't always appear!!
It appears out of nowhere in a gorgeous silhouette.
Can you find them?

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Cypriniformes, Gylinocheiridae
distribution
Improved variety, original species are Mekong River, Chao Phraya River, northern Malay Peninsula

Algae eater

Scientific name
Gyrinocheilus aymonieri var
English name
Gold Chinese algae eater

Features

When they are young, they eat moss, but as they grow up, they stop eating moss and become aggressive. Their mouths are like suckers. This species is a fixed, improved variety of the yellow algae eater, and the original species has a pale gray body color.

From the breeding staff

Its mouth is like a suction cup, and you can see it sticking to various things and wriggling around. It's unique and cute.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order: Amazonian Rays, Family: Acanthidae
distribution
Columbia

River stingray

Scientific name
Potamotrygon sp
English name
-

Features

It has a distinctive large ring pattern and is also known as the "gold ring stingray."

From the breeding staff

These rays rarely show their undersides, so you're lucky if you get to see one!

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order: Amazonian Rays, Family: Acanthidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin

White-blotched river stingray

Scientific name
Potamotrygon leopoldi
English name
White-blotched river stingray

Features

It is endemic to the Xingu River basin in Brazil and can grow up to 70cm. "Polka dot" means water ball, and "stingray" means ray.

From the breeding staff

Its cute shape and pattern resemble a zabuton cushion, but it has a poisonous stinger in its tail, so be careful when walking through the rivers of South America.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae
distribution
Myanmar, Thailand

Blue Mahseer

Scientific name
Neolissochilus stracheyi
English name
-

Features

A type of carp that can grow to over 1 meter in length. Its scales are large and copper-colored, and its fins are bluish, as its name suggests. It mainly preys on small fish, but also eats aquatic plants.

From the breeding staff

During the breeding season, carp species develop white protrusions called "stars" around their mouths, and this Blue Mahseer also has these. Please try and find them.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Pangasius
distribution
Mekong River Basin

Giant pangasius

Scientific name
Pangasius sanitwongsei
English name
Giant pangasius

Features

A large catfish, it can grow up to 2 meters and weigh up to 200 kg. It is sometimes called the "Paroon Shark" because of its shark-like body shape.

From the breeding staff

It is a member of the catfish family with a shark-like body. Personally, I think it has a cute face. I'm looking forward to watching it grow bigger.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Lake Tanganyika

Humphead cichlid

Scientific name
Cyphotilapia frontosa
English name
Humphead cichlid

Features

A type of cichlid. Males develop a bump on their head as they grow. It is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa and preys on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

When viewed from the side, the large hump on the male makes this fish look very cool and impressive.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Poeciliidae (Poeciliidae)
distribution
Mexico

Green swordtail

Scientific name
Xiphophorus hellerii
English name
-

Features

A type of killifish. The male's tail fin is pointed like a sword, hence the name "sword."

From the breeding staff

They can change from male to female and vice versa, and each time the tip of their tail grows and shrinks.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Odonata, Family Mormyridae
distribution
Congo River Basin

Elephantnose fish

Scientific name
Gnathonemus petersii
English name
Elephantnose fish

Features

Its distinctive feature is its long lower jaw, which stretches out like an elephant's trunk. Since it has poor eyesight, it searches for food by emitting a weak electrical current from its trunk.

From the breeding staff

It looks like a nose, but if you look closely, you'll see that it's a long chin. I doubt many people would notice it at first glance. By the way, they love food, and everyone eats in a big hurry.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Pimelodidae
distribution
Amazon River Basin, Orinoco River Basin

Pictus

Scientific name
Pimelodus pictus
English name
Pictus

Features

A member of the catfish family with a silver body and black spots. It uses its long whiskers to search for food, preying on small fish and crustaceans. It is an active swimmer, which is rare for a catfish.

From the breeding staff

They usually hide behind the rock in the center of the tank, but sometimes come out during feeding time. Even the keepers rarely get to see these fish.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
-
distribution
East India

Barca snakehead

Scientific name
Channa barca
English name
Barca snakehead

Features

This species is called the snakehead because of its snake-like face. It can breathe through gills as well as air, and periodically comes to the surface of the water to breathe air.

From the breeding staff

This fish is said to be the most beautiful of all snakehead fish! Its face seen from the front is very cute, and I think it is a fish that is both cute and beautiful.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order: Siluriformes, Family: Drassidae
distribution
Tapajos River, Xingu River, Paranaiba River

Giant talking catfish

Scientific name
Megalodoras uranoscopus
English name
Giant talking catfish

Features

A catfish with spines on its body. There are many variations depending on where it is produced, and each individual has different patterns and colors. It grows slowly, but it is a large catfish that can reach a maximum length of about 80 cm.

From the breeding staff

They usually stay still like a rock, but when they eat food they move around quite a bit, sucking up the food that has sunk to the bottom with great force.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Lake Malawi in Africa

Sulphur-headed hap

Scientific name
Otopharynx lithobates
English name
Sulphurhead hap

Features

A cichlid with a yellow head. In the wild, it prefers rocky areas and is said to eat leftover food and dead fish that have fallen to the bottom of the water. It is relatively docile among African cichlids, many of which have aggressive personalities.

From the breeding staff

Most of the cichlids in this aquarium are very greedy. When it's time to feed them, they all follow the staff around.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Garidae
distribution
Mississippi River, Southern North America

Alligator gar

Scientific name
Atractosteus spatula
English name
Alligator gar

Features

It is the largest Freshwater Fish in North America and can grow to 2-2.5m in length. Its snout protrudes like a crocodile's, and is named after its row of sharp teeth.

From the breeding staff

This fish is famous for being dangerous. Usually, its body color is gray, but this one is pure white, called platinum. It is very beautiful, but it preys on its prey with its sharp fangs.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Loricariidae
distribution
Colombia, Peru

Peru green royal pleco

Scientific name
Panaque sp.
English name
Peru green royal pleco

Features

A type of Panaque pleco. In the wild, it mainly eats rotting wood. This species is characterized by its bright green color, which is not found in other species.

From the breeding staff

Royal plecos eat wood by scraping it, so small pieces of wood will fly around in the tank they are in. Look for them peeking out from between the wood.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Loricariidae
distribution
Colombia, Peru

Royal pleco

Scientific name
Panaque nigrilineatus
English name
Royal pleco

Features

A type of Panaque pleco. In the wild, it mainly eats rotting wood. This species is characterized by its disordered white lines.

From the breeding staff

When Royal Plecos grow, they start to grow impressive whiskers on the sides of their mouths. However, their growth rate in an aquarium is slow, so we will have to patiently watch over them until they grow whiskers.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae
distribution
Himalayas, India

Golden Mahseer

Scientific name
Tor putitora
English name
Golden Mahseer

Features

In its native India, it is known as the fish of the gods, and is a large species of carp that can grow to over 2m.

From the breeding staff

At first glance, their body color is rather dull, but upon closer inspection, a beautiful yellow color is beginning to emerge. When fully grown, they are as impressive to look at as arowanas and Arapaima, and are large and very cool.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Siluriformes, Salicidae
distribution
Myanmar

Burmese upside down catfish

Scientific name
Mystus leucophasis
English name
Burmese upside down catfish

Features

It is called the Burmese upside down catfish because of the way it swims upside down. It is a medium-sized catfish that grows to a maximum of 30 cm and is quite aggressive, attacking other fish.

From the breeding staff

This strange fish swims upside down! It even eats its food upside down, so be sure to check it out!

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Characidae
distribution
Columbia

Red tail mirror blue tetra

Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
English name
Red tail mirror blue tetra

Features

Tetras are characterized by their light blue dorsal fin and bright red tail fin.

From the breeding staff

When it was small, it had a dull body color, but as it grew, its metallic blue body color and bright red fins developed into a beautiful color. Its body has also grown taller, giving it the charm of a small fish.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Loricariidae
distribution
South America, Amazon River

Bushymouth catfish

Scientific name
Ancistrus sp
English name
Bushymouth catfish

Features

This herbivorous catfish has distinctive whisker-like protrusions on its mouth and likes to eat moss and other plants.

From the breeding staff

There are shoe-sized plecos that live in the rivers of Okinawa, but this one is a different kind of small pleco. It eats the moss in the aquarium and helps clean it.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Calichthyidae
distribution
Brazil, Peru

Rust corydoras

Scientific name
Corydoras rabauti
English name
Rust corydoras

Features

A catfish that lives in South America, characterized by its reddish body and green band down its back. It has a gentle personality.

From the breeding staff

This catfish has a cute round body, and the best part is seeing it desperately biting into the food that has fallen to the bottom. This is something you can only see during feeding time, but it's definitely worth a visit.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Catfish, Calichthyidae
distribution
Peru, Ecuador

Common brochis

Scientific name
Brochis splendens
English name
Common brochis

Features

The body color is metallic green, and the species is taller than many closely related species.

From the breeding staff

It is one of the larger species of Corydoras. If you look closely, you will notice that its mouth is longer than other species, giving it a very unique appearance.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
Thailand, Cambodia

Green spotted pufferfish

Scientific name
Chelonodon nigroviridis
English name
Green spotted pufferfish

Features

A pufferfish with a green body and black patterns. It lives in river mouths, but adults mainly live in the sea.

From the breeding staff

They seem to recognize the caretakers, and usually come over when the caretakers approach the tank with food. Also, when they are startled, they inflate properly even though they are so small.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Order Odonata, Family Mormyridae
distribution
Lake Tanganyika, Nigeria

Eastern bottle-nosed mormyrid

Scientific name
Mormyrus rume longirostris
English name
Eastern bottle-nosed mormyrid

Features

*Currently not on display.
A member of the Mormyrus family, named for its dolphin-like silhouette. In the wild, it grows to about 50 cm, but its growth rate is extremely slow.

From the breeding staff

If you look carefully, you will see a different species hiding there. It is easily mistaken for a baby Elephantnose fish, but it is a different species.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
Shizuoka Prefecture to the Pacific coast of Yakushima, Ryukyu Islands

Yellowfin Toxic Goby

Scientific name
Yongeichthys criniger
English name
Yellowfin Toxic Goby

Features

This goby is often found in the shallow waters around river mouths and mangroves. It is unique among gobies in that it contains tetrodotoxin, which is found in the pufferfish family.

From the breeding staff

When searching for this species in river mouths, you will occasionally come across individuals of around 7cm, mixed in with others of around 3cm. Larger individuals have large patterns on their body surface, which makes them look very cool.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
South America, Amazon River

discus fish

Scientific name
Symphysodon
English name
Discus Fish

Features

Native to the Amazon River in South America, it was named after its disc-shaped body when viewed from the side. Its disc-shaped body is marked with vivid patterns, earning it the nickname "king of tropical fish."

From the breeding staff

Speaking of tropical fish, there's discus fish! Among them, I recommend blue ones. They have a beautiful blue color with red patterns, so please take a good look at them.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama

Convict cichlid

Scientific name
Amatitlania nigrofasciatus
English name
Convict cichlid

Features

The name Convict means prisoner, and it was given this name due to its black and white striped pattern.

From the breeding staff

The two fish currently on display are a male and female pair, so they often swim together. Please take the time to observe them.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Nicaragua, Costa Rica

Red devil cichlid

Scientific name
Amphylophus citrinellus
English name
Red devil cichlid

Features

Adult males have a large, distinctive bump on their head. The name "flamingo" comes from their bright white-pink color.

From the breeding staff

Some male cichlids develop humps as they grow. The one currently on display has quite a few humps and is a very impressive looking cichlid.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Mexico, Guatemala

Tailbar cichlid

Scientific name
Vieja hartwegi
English name
Tailbar cichlid

Features

A type of Cyclasoma native to Central America with a rounded head and a small mouth. The color of the body changes as it grows. It is also a more aggressive species than many other species.

From the breeding staff

This species is a member of the cichlid family that inhabits Mexico and is characterized by its flashy body color. It also has a good appetite, and when it's time to feed, it swims right up to the water level in the tank, which is very cute.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Mexico

Vieja fenestrata

Scientific name
Vieja fenestrata
English name
Vieja fenestrata

Features

A species of Cyclasoma native to Central America, characterized by a pink head and black patterns on a bluish body. In the wild, it lives in lakes with sedimented sand and mud, and mainly eats grass, but also eats aquatic insects.

From the breeding staff

There are currently two in the tank. As you can see by comparing these two, each has a different body color, making it easy to identify them individually. In addition, while they have a rounded body, the male has a hump that makes them look cool.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
Indonesia

Knight goby

Scientific name
Stigmatogobius sadanundio
English name
Knight goby

Features

A small goby that lives in Southeast Asia. Its white body has black spots, and if you look closely, you'll see that its eyes are clear blue. It usually lives on the river bottom, but often hovers underwater.

From the breeding staff

It is a small goby with beautiful polka dots, and the male has a distinctive, stretched dorsal fin. The dorsal fin looks like a knight, hence the "knight" in its name.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
Okinawa Prefecture, Mid-West Atlantic

Insignia prawn-goby

Scientific name
Cryptocentroides insignis
English name
Insignia prawn-goby

Features

It digs holes in the sandy, muddy bottom of river estuaries to make its nest. This goby has a brown body with blue spots. The patterns differ between males and females.

From the breeding staff

It is a cute goby with a slightly relaxed face when seen from the front. When seen in the wild, most individuals seem to live in symbiosis with pistol shrimp.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Characidae
distribution
Colombia, Venezuela

Silver pike-characin

Scientific name
Ctenolucius hujeta
English name
Silver pike-characin

Features

It resembles the ancient fish gar, but is a completely different species, a medium-sized characin that lives in South America. It preys on small fish with its protruding mouth.

From the breeding staff

During feeding, they are greedy creatures who desperately eat food that is obviously bigger than their mouths. Their thin, pointed snouts are very cool.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Anostomidae
distribution
Columbia

Leporinus rips

Scientific name
Leporinus moralesi
English name
Leporinus rips

Features

A medium-sized characin native to Colombia, it has irregular black spots on its body and lives in groups in the wild.

From the breeding staff

Considering its size, it has a timid personality, and sometimes other fish steal its food during feeding. When it first came to the aquarium, it had almost no pattern, but I'm happy to see that the pattern is getting darker each day.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes Serrasalmidae
distribution
Columbia

Disk tetra

Scientific name
Myleus schomburki
English name
Disk tetra

Features

A medium-sized characin that lives in South America. It has a round, disc-shaped body and a line down the center of its body that becomes thicker and black as it grows.

From the breeding staff

As this species grows, parts of its body will turn red, but since it is still small, it is a fish that we look forward to watching grow.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Characiformes, Anostomidae
distribution
-

Banded leporinus

Scientific name
Leporinus fasciatus
English name
Banded leporinus

Features

It is found in the Amazon River basin and is locally called the Araku Flamenco. Its body is yellow with 8-12 black horizontal stripes from the snout to the tail peduncle, and it grows to about 30-35 cm in total length.

From the breeding staff

Originally, I had put komatsuna in the tank for other herbivorous fish, but this species seems to eat it with the most gusto.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Southern Mexico

Tricolor cichlid

Scientific name
Cichlasoma salvini
English name
Tricolor cichlid

Features

A species of Cyclasoma found in Central and South America, where the patterns and sizes of males and females are different. Body color varies by region, with some individuals being deep yellow and others being deep blue.

From the breeding staff

When it was first brought in, it didn't have much color and had a modest personality. But as time passed, it's beautiful red color appeared on its abdomen and it's become more aggressive. Now it's even picking fights with fish bigger than it.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Nicaragua, Panama

Loiselle's cichlid

Scientific name
Parachromis loisellei
English name
Loiselle's cichlid

Features

A member of the Cyclasoma family, it is tall and rounded overall. Males have a stronger yellow body color and develop humps.

From the breeding staff

It has a pretty mean personality and often picks on other fish, but it has a cute face with a slightly jutting chin.

Freshwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cichlidae
distribution
Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize

Redhead cichlid

Scientific name
Vieja melanura
English name
Redhead cichlid

Features

A member of the Cyclasoma family that inhabits Central and South America. Its distinctive coloring is bright, with a yellow tail and a pink head, and it grows taller as it grows.

From the breeding staff

This colorful species has a rather poisonous appearance. I can't help but stare at it as it seems to change color a little every day.

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