DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

Bannai Aquarium

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Aconitroidalidae, Family Aconitroidalidae
distribution
Indian Ocean, East China Sea

Ryukyu sea lily

Scientific name
Oxycomanthus bennetti
English name
Bennett’s feather star

Features

This species of sea lily grows to be quite large. It can use its arms to catch prey.

Classification
Order Sticklebacks Family Syngnathidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Messmate pipefish

Scientific name
Corythoichthys haematopterus
English name
Messmate pipefish

Features

This member of the Syngnathidae family is characterized by its habit of moving along the bottom. In English, it is called a pipefish because of its long, slender body.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Boxfish family
distribution
Pacific coast, Indian Ocean

Roundbelly cowfish

Scientific name
Lactoria diaphana
English name
Roundbelly cowfish

Features

This is a type of boxfish with five protrusions on its body. It resembles the Longhorn cowfish, but can be distinguished by the length of its protrusions. It possesses a mucous toxin in its skin.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Clown anemonefish

Scientific name
Amphiprion ocellaris
English name
Clown anemonefish

Features

Generally, fish are paralyzed by the poison of sea anemones, but this species is immune to this poison. When an enemy appears, they escape into the sea anemone to protect themselves. This species is protoandrogenous, and when the largest female in the school dies, the largest male becomes a female instead.

From the breeding staff

This fish has beautiful orange and white stripes! It's so cute to see it exploring the outside from inside the sea anemone!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Porcupinefish, Porcupinefish
distribution
Temperate and tropical waters around the world

Porcupinefish

Scientific name
Diodon holocanthus
English name
Porcupinefish

Features

Its whole body is covered with sharp thorns. When it senses danger, it inhales a large amount of water and air, inflates its body, and raises its thorns to intimidate. The name "Porcupinefish" comes from this appearance, but it is said that it has only about 350 thorns, not 1000. The thorns themselves are not poisonous.

From the breeding staff

It's so cute how when they see people they approach as if asking for food! Sometimes they move with such force that they splash the water all over the place.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of Kochi Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Palette surgeonfish

Scientific name
Paracanthurus hepatus
English name
Palette surgeonfish

Features

It is a very beautiful fish with a vivid blue body color, black lines on the sides, and a bright yellow tail and fins. It rarely acts alone, and in the wild it lives in large schools. In recent years, it has been discovered that it is poisonous.

From the breeding staff

It probably reminds you of that famous character, right? A beautiful fish with a deep blue body!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Goatfish family
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Manybar goatfish

Scientific name
Parupeneus multifasciatus
English name
Manybar goatfish

Features

It has two long barbels on its lower jaw, which look like a human "uncle" when seen from the front, hence its name. The barbels contain organs that allow it to sense taste, and although they are usually folded up and hidden, they move quickly when searching for food on the ocean floor to catch it.

From the breeding staff

Their charm point is the whisker-like organs on their mouths! They use these whiskers vigorously when searching for food!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blueband goby

Scientific name
Valenciennea strigata
English name
Blueband goby

Features

Its unique feature is that it eats by taking sand into its mouth, filtering it out with its gills, and spitting out only the sand from its gills. It mainly feeds on tiny crustaceans and organic matter found in the sand. Its body is milky white, its forehead is bright yellow, and its cheeks have shiny blue vertical stripes.

From the breeding staff

This is a cute fish munching on sand! The blue pattern on its face is also beautiful!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Western Pacific

Peach fairy basslet

Scientific name
Pseudanthias dispar
English name
Peach fairy basslet

Features

They live in groups consisting of several males and multiple females. If the males in the group disappear or become scarce, the largest female may change sex and become a male.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a gentle, pale orange body color! It's so cute to see it swimming with its fins flapping!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Sticklebacks Family Syngnathidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Spotted seahorse

Scientific name
Hippocampus kuda
English name
Spotted seahorse

Features

A member of the seahorse family, its body color varies from black to brown to yellow depending on the environment it inhabits. It has a small mouth at the tip of its long, tubular snout, through which it sucks in small fish and plankton to prey on.

From the breeding staff

It's very soothing to watch them resting on seaweed or swimming slowly! When it's time to eat, they suck in their food quickly!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Hawkfish family
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Longnose hawkfish

Scientific name
Oxycirrhites typus
English name
Longnose hawkfish

Features

Its name comes from its long, tube-like snout that protrudes forward. Its body is red and has a fine mesh pattern. Its red color makes it stand out, but when it hides among branching Corals, it acts as a camouflage and makes it difficult for predators to find it.

From the breeding staff

Its charming features are its red checkered body color and long, pointed mouth! It uses its long, thin mouth to eat crustaceans found in the crevices of rocks!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of Kochi Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Yellow tang

Scientific name
Zebrasoma flavescens
English name
Yellow tang

Features

As its name suggests, its body is bright yellow, with a noticeable white spike on its tail. It has a tall body and a large dorsal and anal fins. Its snout protrudes slightly, with a small mouth at the tip of the snout. It mainly feeds on seaweed and other algae.

From the breeding staff

This fish's charming feature is its beautiful yellow body, but it also has spines near its tail fin!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
South of the Kii Peninsula, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean

Sapphire devil

Scientific name
Chrysipitera cyanea
English name
Sapphire devil

Features

As its name suggests, it has a vivid sapphire blue body color. Males have sapphire blue even up to their tail fins, while females have transparent tail fins. They have a strong sense of territory and are aggressive in nature.

From the breeding staff

It is a beautiful Saltwater Fish with a blue body color that can often be seen in the waters of Okinawa!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Whitetail dascyllus

Scientific name
Dascyllus aruanus
English name
Whitetail dascyllus

Features

As its name suggests, it is characterized by three black stripes. A single male lives with multiple females. It feeds on crustaceans, algae, and benthic animals.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a distinctive black and white body coloring! As its name suggests, it has three black stripes!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

Scientific name
Labroides dimidiatus
English name
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse

Features

They are known as "scavengers" that eat parasites on the bodies of other fish and leftover food in their mouths, so they will not attack even if they are near larger fish.

From the breeding staff

They are the cleaners of the ocean, eating leftover food from other fish's mouths and parasites on their bodies!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Sticklebacks, Family Razorfish
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Razorfish

Scientific name
Aeoliscus strigatus
English name
Razorfish

Features

It usually swims with its head down, but when it is attacked or in danger, it turns its body horizontally and moves at a considerable speed. Its long and slender body and black stripes mimic the spines of a sea urchin. The name "Heko" means "upside down." Although it has "ayu" in its name, it is not a member of the sweetfish family.

From the breeding staff

The charm of this fish is the way it swims upside down! It loves small crustaceans!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order: Perciformes, Family: Siganidae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Western Pacific Ocean

Blotched foxface

Scientific name
Siganus unimaculatus
English name
Blotched foxface

Features

Its name "Hifuki" comes from the fact that its protruding snout looks like it is breathing fire. Its dorsal, pelvic and anal fins have sharp spines that are poisonous.

From the breeding staff

Its name "Hifuki" comes from the fact that its snout (proboscis) looks like a mouth that is breathing fire! The spines on its fins are also poisonous!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anguilliformes, Family Conger Eel
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Maldives, Philippines

Splendid garden eel

Scientific name
Gorgasia preclara
English name
Splendid garden eel

Features

Its name comes from the fact that its orange body has white stripes, making it as gorgeous as the woven fabric "nishiki". It faces its head in the direction of the tide and eats the zooplankton that floats by. If it senses danger, it immediately hides its entire body in the sand. Although almost half of its body is usually hidden in the sand, it is about 40cm long.

From the breeding staff

Its shape is very similar to that of a Spotted garden eel, but it actually has a slightly larger dorsal fin than the Spotted garden eel.
When Spotted garden eel fight, they open their mouths and glare at each other, but Splendid garden eel fight by vibrating their dorsal fin along with their bodies!

Saltwater Fish

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

Blue green chromis

Scientific name
Chromis viridis
English name
Blue green chromis

Features

Its body is blue-green, but the color changes depending on how the light hits it. It has a gentle personality, which is rare among the damselfish family. Its name comes from the appearance of its lower teeth sticking out forward, which is called "deba".

From the breeding staff

You can see flocks of this species in a space on the second floor of the museum that recreates the Okinawan sky and beachfront.
Please take a look at the beauty of the school of Blue green chromis!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anguilliformes, Family Conger Eel
distribution
South of Kochi Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Spotted garden eel

Scientific name
Heteroconger hassi
English name
Spotted garden eel

Features

Its name comes from the fact that its face resembles that of a Japanese Chin dog. It turns its head in the direction of the tide and eats the zooplankton that flows by. If it senses danger, it immediately hides its entire body in the sand. Although it usually has nearly half of its body hidden in the sand, it is about 30cm long.

From the breeding staff

They secrete mucus from their tails to harden the sand and burrow into it!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Angelfish family
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Emperor angelfish

Scientific name
Pomacanthus imperator
English name
Emperor angelfish

Features

Juvenile and adult fish have completely different appearances. Juvenile fish have a blue body with white swirls, hence the name "Uzumaki." Adult fish have many yellow vertical stripes. As they grow from juvenile to adult, their body pattern is a mix of these. It takes about two years for them to fully grow.

From the breeding staff

A fish's stripes are determined as vertical or horizontal by the direction they face when held head up.
This species has vertical stripes when you look at its head, so it has vertical stripes!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Tetraodontiformes, Family Monacanthidae
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Scrawled filefish

Scientific name
Aluterus scriptus
English name
Scrawled filefish

Features

The pufferfish's internal organs contain a potent toxin called palytoxin. This toxin is related to marine toxins derived from the sea anemones and other organisms it feeds on. They do not usually form schools, but instead live alone in shallow coastal rocky areas and coral reefs.

From the breeding staff

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Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Alcyonidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Finger coral

Scientific name
Sinularia mollis
English name
Finger coral

Features

This Corals grows in large colonies at depths of 10 to 30 meters where the water current is good. It also lives in the waters off the coast of Okinawa Prefecture. Most individuals have green or brown body colors, but there are also rare individuals with yellow or green body colors.

From the breeding staff

This is a Corals that can be seen in the seas of Okinawa! The fluffy-looking branches are cute!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonaceae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Star polyps

Scientific name
Pachyclavularia violacea
English name
Star polyps

Features

A type of Corals called a "soft coral" with a soft body. It grows by covering the rock surface. It is commonly called a "star polyp" because the center of the polyp looks like a star.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

The sight of all the polyps opening at once looks like a grassland! The color of the polyps really stands out against the purple body!

Corals

Classification
Order Zoanthacea, Family Zoanthacea
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Zoanthus sp.

Scientific name
Zoanthus sp.
English name
Zoanthus sp.

Features

A type of Corals with a soft body called a "soft coral." Its Japanese name includes "suna" (suna) because it uses sand instead of a skeleton to form parts of its body.

*Skeleton: The part that becomes the Corals's "bone" and is made mainly of calcium carbonate.

From the breeding staff

This Corals comes in a wide variety of colors depending on where it is found! It's soothing to watch as the green, red, and yellow polyps open all at once!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Amaranthidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Banana coral

Scientific name
Trachyphyllia geoffroyi
English name
Banana coral

Features

This coral has a Corals that radiates from the center. The body color is fluorescent overall, and there is a wide variety of colors. In particular, individuals called "multi-color" that contain several colors are popular among collectors.

*Skeleton: The "bony" part of a Corals, made mainly of calcium carbonate.
*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

This Corals has a beautiful body with bright fluorescent colors! It looks like a single flower blooming in the aquarium!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Spinocorallia
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Lobophyllia

Scientific name
Symphyllia valenciennesii
English name
Lobophyllia

Features

Corals are rounded and have a rough surface. They come in a wide variety of shapes, patterns, and colors, including green, orange, red, and purple.

From the breeding staff

This Corals is characterized by its fluffy body and beautiful color!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Porites
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Flower pot coral

Scientific name
Goniopora lobata
English name
Flower pot coral

Features

They are characterized by their long, sea anemone-like polyps, and their body colors are mostly green and red.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

This Corals is characterized by its long polyps! It's soothing to watch the polyps swaying back and forth in the water!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Cluster acropora coral

Scientific name
Acropora millepora
English name
Cluster acropora coral

Features

Corals grows by spreading outward. The polyps, which are one of the structures of the body, extend like hairs. This type of Acropora coral is beautiful in the way its polyps extend and sway with the water current.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

This is a fascinating Corals with its body branching out in a fine radial pattern, and the polyps spreading out all at once from these many branches!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Anthocoralidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Anchor coral

Scientific name
Euphyllia fimbriata
English name
Anchor coral

Features

The tip of the polyp looks like a ship's anchor, hence the English name "anchor coral". The body color is mostly green, but there are also many other color variations such as yellow and gold. It is highly poisonous among Corals and can attack other Corals.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

This Corals is attractive for its distinctive polyp shape! When you shine a UV light on it, the tip of the polyp glows fantastically!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Staghorn coral

Scientific name
Acropora formosa
English name
Staghorn coral

Features

This species grows long and branching out like trees. It is characterized by a slightly tubular, angular shape. There are blue and dark green specimens. It lives in areas with depths of 10m or less, such as reef slopes and rocky areas that are less affected by waves, and reef ponds with good tidal flow.

From the breeding staff

Its body is distinctive, branching out like long branches! Although its name includes "Sugi no Ki" (Japanese cedar), it doesn't look much like a cedar tree.

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Montipora hispida

Scientific name
Montipora hispida
English name
Montipora hispida

Features

This Corals grows by covering the rocks. When it grows, the center becomes irregularly raised. Its body color is often greenish brown.

From the breeding staff

Although it is spiky as its name suggests, its dynamic appearance is different from branchy Corals like Acropora!
Look at the top of the tank!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Polytrichum Corals
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Faviidae coral

Scientific name
Caulastrea tumida
English name
Faviidae coral

Features

This Corals is called a bouquet colony because it gathers together like a bouquet of flowers. It looks semicircular from above. Its body color is often a vibrant green, making it easy to see even in the water.

From the breeding staff

In nature, Corals reproduce by releasing "bundles" containing both eggs and sperm from their mouths!
The mouth is in the center of the circle, so take a look!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Alcyonidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Bushy whipcoral

Scientific name
Rumphella aggregata
English name
Bushy whipcoral

Features

Its name comes from its shape resembling Japanese silver grass. It also lives in the waters off Okinawa Prefecture. It sheds its skin periodically, a rare feature among Corals.

From the breeding staff

The fluffy looking part is called a "polyp."
These "polyps" catch food, eat it, and get nutrition!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Platycorallidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Plate coral

Scientific name
Pavona decussata
English name
Plate coral

Features

A type of "hard coral" with a hard skeleton. The polyps are relatively small, and the body color is often green or brown. It can be seen in the waters off Okinawa Prefecture, and can sometimes be observed from the top of a breakwater.

*Skeleton: The "bony" part of a Corals, made mainly of calcium carbonate.
*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

This Corals has a cute fluffy appearance, but it's very hard to the touch!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Anthocoralidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Frogspawn coral

Scientific name
Euphyllia divisa
English name
Frogspawn coral

Features

The tips of the tentacles are intricately branched, and because they look like octopus tentacles, they are also known as "octopus Corals." They come in a wide variety of colors, including brown and fluorescent green.

From the breeding staff

The fluorescent green parts are actually Corals shining when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light!
This is due to the action of the green fluorescent protein contained in the Corals.
Check out the beautiful colors of nature!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Fungia coral
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Fungia coral

Scientific name
Fungia sp.
English name
Fungia coral

Features

It is a solitary Corals with a disk-like, mountain-like shape. Its skeleton radiates out from the center. Its name "Kusabira" is an archaic word for mushroom, and is derived from its appearance and shape. Its body comes in a wide variety of colors, including orange, green, and purple.

*Skeleton: The "bony" part of a Corals, made mainly of calcium carbonate.
*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

Most types of Corals are generally unable to move once they have attached, but there are some types of coral that can move!
Maybe you'll see it moving slowly?

Corals

Classification
Scleractinian Corals, Family: Psammifera
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Chalice coral

Scientific name
Echinophyllia aspera
English name
Chalice coral

Features

This Corals has a plate-like skeleton and grows by covering itself with other corals. Its body color varies widely, including green, orange, and purple.

*Skeleton: The part that becomes the Corals's "bone" and is made mainly of calcium carbonate.

From the breeding staff

In fact, the keepers clean the Corals tanks by going inside them wearing wetsuits.
When I clean, I am nervous that I might bump into the flat Corals , such as the Chalice coral , and break them...!!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Nephthea sp.
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Kenya tree coral

Scientific name
Capnella sp.
English name
Kenya tree coral

Features

A type of Corals known as a "soft coral" with a soft body. It is characterized by its tree-like shape and small open polyps. Individuals come in green and brown body colors. It also lives in the waters off Okinawa Prefecture, where it grows in colonies on rocks and on the rubble of branching Corals.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

The way they sway in the flow of the water is so cute and soothing!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Spinocorallia
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Micromussa coral

Scientific name
Acanthastrea lordhowensis
English name
Micromussa coral

Features

Each polyp grows large and plump. Their body comes in a wide variety of colors, including orange, red, green, and pink, and appears to glow when exposed to blue light.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

Don't you think it looks warm being wrapped in that thick flesh?

Corals

Classification
Order Scopalinida Family Scopalinidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Lumpy orange sponge

Scientific name
Stylissa massa
English name
Lumpy orange sponge

Features

It was named after its orange appearance and sponge-like body structure. Although it looks like a Corals(Cnidaria), this species is actually a type of sponge. It grows by absorbing nutrients from seawater.

From the breeding staff

The beautiful orange color will be a great accent for your aquarium!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Anthocoralidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Elegance coral

Scientific name
Catalaphyllia jardinei
English name
Elegance coral

Features

It spreads its sea anemone-like tentacles and forms a fan-shaped colony. It is also known as the "trumpet coral." It is a rare species that is difficult to find because its habitat is limited.

From the breeding staff

Just watching the tentacles swaying back and forth is soothing to the soul!

Corals

Classification
Order Osmodium, Family Osmogonidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Giant cup mushroom coral

Scientific name
Amplexidiscus fenestrafer
English name
Giant cup mushroom coral

Features

A type of Corals called a "disc coral" that has a thin, flat shape. It grows by covering rocks. It is also known as "elephant ear" because its shape resembles an elephant's ear.

From the breeding staff

It's attached discreetly to the rocks, so if you don't look closely you might mistake it for a rock and miss it!
Please try to find out where they are!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Alcyonidae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Leather coral

Scientific name
Sarcophyton sp.
English name
Leather coral

Features

A type of Corals called a "soft coral" that has a soft body. Its name comes from its mushroom-like appearance. Its appearance differs when the polyps are closed and when they are open; when closed, it has the silhouette of a mushroom, but when it opens, it transforms into a beautiful Corals.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

The polyps are not only cute when they are open, but they are also very cute when they are closed, and I am drawn to this wonderful duality!

Corals

Classification
Pulse coral
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Pulse coral

Scientific name
Xenia sp.
English name
Pulse coral

Features

" Pulse coral " is a collective term for several species of Corals that are difficult to distinguish from one another in appearance. They can be distinguished by the difference in the condition of the trunk and the polyps that grow from it. The body colors of all of them are mostly purple, white, gray, etc.

*Polyp: An organism that looks like a sea anemone and has spread tentacles. Each one is about 5-30mm in size. All Corals are made up of one or more polyps.

From the breeding staff

Soft coral is a type of Corals that does not have a skeleton (it has bones).
The sight of them swaying gently in the water is very soothing!

Corals

Classification
Order Scleractinia, Family Xanthorrhoeae
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Yellow cup coral

Scientific name
Turbinaria frondens
English name
Yellow cup coral

Features

They are circular or elliptical in shape, with wavy edges, and there are colonies with brown or greenish body colors.

From the breeding staff

Its distinctive mortar-shaped appearance is the origin of its name.
One of the charms of this plant is that each colony has its own unique character, with some individuals growing into a dish shape and others into a strongly undulating bowl shape!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Purple tipped acropora

Scientific name
Acropora tenuis
English name
Purple tipped acropora

Features

A branching table Corals. Most individuals are green or brown in color. They live in areas with depths of 10m or less, such as reef slopes and rocky areas that are less affected by waves, and reef ponds with good tidal flow.

From the breeding staff

One of their characteristics is the wide variety of body colors they come in. You can see different appearances even within the same species, not only brown and green but also purple and cream!

Corals

Classification
-
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans

Encrusting pore coral

Scientific name
Montipora aequituberculata
English name
Encrusting pore coral

Features

A type of colonial Corals. It is flat and spreads thinly. It is characterized by its relatively fast growth, and Corals fragments sometimes attach to rock coverings and grow from them. It comes in brown, green, vermilion, and other colors.

From the breeding staff

This is the Corals that is most commonly found in reefs. It has the unique ability to change the direction it grows in depending on the amount of light it receives.

Birds & Others

Classification
Decapoda , Banded coral shrimp
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture, Pacific Ocean

Banded coral shrimp

Scientific name
Stenopus hispidus
English name
Banded coral shrimp

Features

They live on coral reefs and rocks near the coast. They attach themselves to the bodies of large fish such as moray eels and groupers, and eat food scraps. They are called cleaners because they clean the bodies of large fish. Since they normally live in symbiosis with them, they are almost never eaten by large fish.

From the breeding staff

Shrimp species molt, so you may find the molting pattern inside the aquarium.
Don't be surprised if only part of your body rolls around!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Boxfish family
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Yellow boxfish

Scientific name
Ostracion cubicus
English name
Yellow boxfish

Features

As you can see, the name comes from its box-like shape. The body color of juvenile fish is bright yellow with numerous black spots. Adult fish have a yellowish-brown body color with a pattern of white spots covered with black spots. In response to irritation or stress, they secrete a mucus-like poison from their skin to protect themselves from predators.

From the breeding staff

It is also known as the "yellow dice of happiness," and when young it has a bright body color and is very cute.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Ranunculidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands - Western Pacific Ocean, coral reefs

Mandarinfish

Scientific name
Synchiropus splendidus
English name
Mandarinfish

Features

It is about 5-7cm long. It is characterized by its bright blue spots and other patterns. It is called "nishiki teguri" in kanji, where "nishiki" represents the bright body color and "teguri" comes from the fact that it is often caught in hand-reel nets.

From the breeding staff

This beautiful fish has a vibrant color and a delicate pattern on its body, so it is also known as the Mandarin Fish!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Blenniidae
distribution
South of the Ryukyu Islands

Jewelled blenny

Scientific name
salarias fasciatus
English name
Jewelled blenny

Features

It mainly lives in coral reef areas, and its name comes from the fact that it is commonly found in the Yaeyama Islands.

From the breeding staff

This fish was named after its habitat. Its body surface is the same color as the sand, so it can be tricky to find.

Birds & Others

Classification
Decapoda Spider Crab
distribution
Western Pacific Ocean south of Sagami Bay

Spider decorator crab 

Scientific name
Camposcia retusa
English name
Spider decorator crab

Features

*Currently not on display.

Its body is covered with hairs that resemble Velcro, to which it attaches sponges and seaweed to hide. Its name comes from the fact that it looks like it is carrying pieces of seaweed on its back.

From the breeding staff

He gathers his belongings and carries them on his back.
In rare cases, they may be carrying not only seaweed but also Corals, so keep an eye out!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cardinalidae
distribution
Kanagawa Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands

Southern orange-lined cardinal fish

Scientific name
Ostorhinchus properuptus
English name
Southern orange-lined cardinal fish

Features

A type of cardinalfish with orange to yellow body coloring and white to pale blue vertical stripes. Like other cardinalfish, this fish is a mouthbrooder, growing eggs in its mouth.

From the breeding staff

This cute fish has orange and white stripes. It also has a devoted side, protecting the fertilized eggs in its mouth until they hatch.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Izu Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Valentin's sharpnose puffer

Scientific name
Canthigaster velentini
English name
Valentin's sharpnose puffer

Features

A small pufferfish with a total length of about 10 cm. It inhabits a wide range of oceans, from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea. It excretes poison not only from its liver and ovaries but also from its skin.

From the breeding staff

There is a fish called the sawtooth fish that looks very similar, but it is not poisonous.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Angelfish family
distribution
Wakayama Prefecture and south, Hachijojima, Ogasawara, Taiwan, Philippines

Rusty angelfish

Scientific name
Centropyge ferrugata
English name
Rusty angelfish

Features

It is about 8cm long. Its body color is brown with a reddish belly, hence the Japanese name. Its tail fin is dark and it has many black spots on its body.

From the breeding staff

As its name suggests, this fish has a distinctive red belly. Its dorsal fin is dark, so the red really stands out.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anglerfish, Family Frogfish
distribution
Izu Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Indo-Pacific region, etc.

Painted frogfish

Scientific name
Antennarius pictus
English name
Painted frogfish

Features

They have many variations in body color, including red, yellow, and brown, and mimic the surrounding environment. They use an organ called the ilisium (rod) and esca (bait) on top of their head to lure and prey on small fish.

From the breeding staff

If you look closely in the tank, you will see colorful Painted frogfish hiding there. Please try and find them!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anglerfish, Family Frogfish
distribution
Southern Japan, the Indian and Pacific regions, etc.

Warty frogfish

Scientific name
Antennarius maculatus
English name
Warty frogfish

Features

They have many variations in body color, including red, yellow, and brown, and mimic the surrounding environment. They use an organ called the ilisium (rod) and esca (bait) on top of their head to lure and prey on small fish.

From the breeding staff

It is similar to the Painted frogfish, but the biggest difference is that each fin is edged in a different color. It is named after the "kumadori" makeup used in Kabuki.

Birds & Others

Classification
Order Veneridae, Family Malvaceae
distribution
Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, etc.

Crocus giant clam

Scientific name
Tridacna crocea Lamark
English name
Crocus giant clam

Features

This is the smallest species in the Tridacna family. Although it sometimes eats tiny creatures floating in the sea, it mainly lives on the nutrients created by the zooxanthellae that live inside its body through photosynthesis. For this reason, it often lives in shallow waters where light can easily reach.

From the breeding staff

This giant clam is cute in both color and size!
The blue frills look like they're floating in an aquarium, which is very soothing!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
Indo-West Pacific, south of Amami Oshima

Staghorn coral

Scientific name
Acropora microphthalmia
English name
Staghorn coral

Features

The branches of the colony grow long and thin, spreading out over the entire table. It is one of the fastest growing Acropora species.

From the breeding staff

They used to be seen in Okinawa, but have since disappeared due to the effects of global warming.

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
South of Nagasaki Prefecture

Staghorn Coral

Scientific name
Acropora formosa
English name
Staghorn Coral

Features

This species grows long and branching out like trees, and can be found in well-ventilated ponds and lagoons, as well as on reef slopes and rocky areas less affected by waves at depths of less than 10m. Some branches, or just the tips of the branches, are bluish.

From the breeding staff

Each one is a cute Corals shaped like a deer's antler. However, its name is Suginoki (Cedar Tree) Acropora.

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
South of Kochi Prefecture

Staghorn coral

Scientific name
Acropora digitifera
English name
-

Features

They live in shallow areas from the reef edge where waves hit hard to the reef slope. The tips of the branches often turn white. They also form large colonies in places exposed at low tide.

From the breeding staff

As its name suggests, this Corals has pinky-like branches. It has the characteristic that the branches become shorter when it grows in places with strong waves.

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
South of Tanegashima

Bottlebrush acropora

Scientific name
Acropora aculeus
English name
-

Features

A thin, branching Corals found on reef slopes and rocky slopes at depths of less than 10m.

From the breeding staff

It is a hard Corals with a skeleton. When cleaning, we have to be careful not to break it!

Corals

Classification
Scleractinia, Acropora family
distribution
South of Tanegashima

Green digitata

Scientific name
Montipora digitata
English name
-

Features

It lives in shallow areas of reefs and grows in a branch-like shape.

From the breeding staff

It is a hard Corals with a skeleton called hard coral. It has a thick base and grows long upwards.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Blenniidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, India, and the Pacific

Bicolor blenny

Scientific name
Ecsenius bicolor
English name
Bicolor blenny

Features

It lives on coral reefs, and although there are some differences depending on the region, the basic body color is dark on the front half of the body and orange on the back half.

From the breeding staff

They often hide in the shadows of Corals and rocks, but they will come out when you feed them.

Saltwater Fish

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

Whitelined coral goby

Scientific name
Gobiodon albofasciatus
English name
Whitelined coral goby

Features

The body color of juveniles and adults differs; when juveniles, the body color is grayish, with two thick vertical stripes on the sides of the body and many black spots on the head and tail fin, but when they become adults, they become solid black. They live between the branches of Acropora corals.

From the breeding staff

This small, all-black goby fish lives in coral reefs. In an aquarium, it often lives among the Corals. Please try to find it.

Birds & Others

Classification
Order: Sea anemones, Family : Giant carpet anemone
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, etc.

Magnificent sea anemone

Scientific name
Radianthus ritteri
English name
Magnificent sea anemone

Features

It lives attached to rocks on the slopes of coral reefs and waterways at a depth of about 10m. It is a large sea anemone with a tentacle ring diameter of 50cm to 80cm, sometimes exceeding 1m, and can be seen living together with Clown anemonefish.

From the breeding staff

The yellow-green tentacles sway back and forth and are very beautiful.
Sometimes you can see Yellowtail clownfish peeking out from between the curtains, making it almost like a fish curtain!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, organ-pipe coral
distribution
Amami Oshima and Ogasawara Islands and south

organ-pipe coral

Scientific name
Tubipora musica
English name
Organ-pipe coral

Features

It looks like a mass of flowers. It has a unique skeleton among Corals, and its skeleton resembles the trachea of ​​a pipe organ, hence its English name, organ pipe Corals.

From the breeding staff

This is a cute Corals that looks like a flower.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Sticklebacks Family Syngnathidae
distribution
South of the Izu Peninsula. Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Banded pipefish

Scientific name
Doryrhamphus dactyliophorus
English name
Banded pipefish

Features

It inhabits coastal coral reefs and rocky areas, feeding on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and invertebrates. It is ovoviviparous, with the female laying eggs on the male's abdomen.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a very distinctive red and white striped pattern. It eats by sucking in plankton and other food with its straw-like mouth.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of the Izu Peninsula, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, etc.

Convict Surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus triostegus
English name
Convict Surgeonfish

Features

This fish belongs to the Scalpel sawtail family and lives in groups. Its English name includes "convict" because its pattern resembles that of a prisoner's uniform.

From the breeding staff

-

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Gobiidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands

Yellow clown goby

Scientific name
Gobiodon akinawae
English name
Yellow clown goby

Features

As its name suggests, it has a yellow body and is about 3cm long. It often lives in the gaps between the branches of Acropora coral in coral reef areas.

From the breeding staff

It is a small yellow goby with a cute appearance. It mainly lives on Corals.

Birds & Others

Classification
Red starfish, Family Horned sea star
distribution
New Caledonia, Melanesia, Indonesia, Philippines, south of Yakushima, etc.

Cushion sea star

Scientific name
Pentaceraster alveolatus
English name
Cushion sea star

Features

This large starfish grows to about 20cm in length and lives on rocky reefs and sandy areas at depths of less than 20m. It feeds on moss that adheres to the surfaces of rocks and sand, as well as the carcasses of living creatures.

From the breeding staff

This is a cool starfish with red spike-like bumps. It doesn't really look like a hump Horned sea star so much as to be called a knock-off.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Ranunculidae
distribution
Western Pacific

Picturesque dragonet

Scientific name
Synchiropus picturatus
English name
Picturesque dragonet

Features

Also known as the Spotted Mandarin, it has numerous black spotted rings bordered by fluorescent green and orange rings. It preys on small crustaceans, polychaetes, and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

This small fish has a very cute black polka dot pattern! It mainly lives around rocks and on coral reefs.

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Alcyonidae
distribution
Reef areas south of central Honshu

Octocoral

Scientific name
Alcyonium gracillimum
English name
-

Features

A type of Corals known as a "soft coral" with a soft body. It does not have a large skeleton inside its body, but has small bones called spicules inside its cells. Because of this, alcea species are prone to stretching and contracting, and can be nearly twice as large when stretched as when contracted. This species lives in the shade among alcea species, and survives by preying on plankton and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

They are known as soft corals and have a soft body without a skeleton. Their bright orange coloring adds a beautiful touch to any aquarium.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Western Pacific Ocean south of Okinawa Prefecture

Yellowstriped fairy basslet

Scientific name
Pseudanthias tuka
English name
Yellowstriped fairy basslet

Features

They live in small schools in coral reefs and rocky areas. Larger individuals in the school tend to change sex and become males. They are quite similar to the grouper, the Amethyst anthias, but this species can be distinguished by the male's pointed snout and yellow lower jaw, and the female's yellow stripe from the dorsal fin to the tail fin.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a very attractive purple body color. Its appearance and name are both beautiful!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anguilliformes, Family Moray eels
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Ribbon eel

Scientific name
Rhinomuraena quaesita
English name
Ribbon eel

Features

The name comes from the fact that the tubular nostrils extending from the tip of the nose look like petals. The blue body is bright yellow from the tip of the nose to the dorsal fin. It is a proto-male, and when it grows to a certain size, it changes sex to female and turns yellow all over. It is a docile species among moray eels.

From the breeding staff

The fish we have at our aquarium are still juveniles and are black in color. As they grow, their body colors will become more vibrant, so we are looking forward to watching them grow!

Corals

Classification
Alcyonacea, Alcyonidae
distribution
South of Tohoku region

Soft Gorgonia sea fan

Scientific name
Euplexaura crassa
English name
-

Features

A type of Corals that lives in shaded areas. It does not require light and obtains nutrients by catching small plankton. It comes in a variety of colors, including red, blue, and yellow.

From the breeding staff

As the name suggests, this goat has thicker branches than other goats. We also raise similar species at our facility, but there are some differences, so it's interesting to compare them.
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