DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

A row

Birds & Others

Classification
Order Booby, Family Booby
distribution
Galapagos Islands, off the west coast of Central and South America

Blue-footed booby

Scientific name
Sula nebouxii
English name
Blue-footed booby

Features

As their name suggests, they have blue legs. When courting, males hold their blue legs up high to show off to females. They fly out to sea in the daytime in search of food, and when they find prey, they dive into the water from a height of over 20m to catch the fish. Sometimes they dive in unison in groups, coordinating their timing.

From the breeding staff

This bird is characterized by its bright blue feet, which look as if they were painted with paint. Its courtship behavior of stomping its feet in front of the female is almost like a dance!

Birds & Others

Classification
Order Acanthasteridae Family: Red starfish
distribution
South of the Okinawa Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blue sea star

Scientific name
Linckia laevigata
English name
Blue sea star

Features

They sometimes cut off their own arms for asexual reproduction. Unlike other starfish, the tips of their five arms are rounded, not tapered. As their name suggests, most of them are blue, but some are green or orange.

From the breeding staff

This is a starfish that is often seen on coral reefs! It has a distinctive blue body, but its mouth is yellow!

Birds & Others

Classification
Order Banner-stoma jellyfish, Family Oxygenidae
distribution
The northern Pacific Ocean south of Hokkaido

Japanese sea nettle

Scientific name
Chrysaora pacifica
English name
Japanese sea nettle

Features

The white thread-like "tentacles" that extend from around the cap are poisonous, and if you are stung, it will cause symptoms such as extremely painful welts and blisters.
In some cases it can cause respiratory distress and is highly toxic.
When fully grown, the length, including the cap and tentacles, is about 2 to 3 meters.
It feeds on small plankton and other species of jellyfish."

From the breeding staff

It's a beautiful jellyfish with a striking red color. It's very soothing to watch it drifting through the water with its long tentacles fluttering about. If you're lucky, you might even get to see it eating!

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
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of Sagami Bay, Yamaguchi Prefecture, northwest coast of Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Minamidaito Island, Ogasawara Islands.

Blacktip grouper

Scientific name
Epinepphelus fasciatus
English name
Blacktip grouper

Features

The body is generally red with about five horizontal stripes of different shades on the sides. The body color changes depending on the situation. In the Okinawa dialect, it is called hango mee bai.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a flashy bright red body, but since red light is absorbed in the ocean and becomes difficult to see, it may be one of the more dull fish in the world.

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, 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 Alfonsino, Family Amphidromidae
distribution
Ogasawara, south of the Ryukyu Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blotcheye soldierfish

Scientific name
Myripristis berndti
English name
Blotcheye soldierfish

Features

It has a bright red body color and large eyes. It is nocturnal, hiding in the crevices of rocks and Corals during the day, and becomes active at night in search of prey. It is carnivorous, preying on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Its dark red body and large eyes make it stand out! It will be the last part of the BY tour, during the feeding experience in the large aquarium!

Birds & Others

Classification
Anura, Hylidae
distribution
Costa Rica, Mexico, Central and South America

Red-eyed leaf frog

Scientific name
Agalychnis callidryas
English name
Red-eyed leaf frog

Features

It lives on the trees of the rainforest. As its name suggests, it has distinctive bright red eyes with vertically elongated pupils. It has orange legs, and its green body color acts as a camouflage when it rests on leaves. It is nocturnal, hiding on the undersides of tree leaves during the day, and descends to low places at night to prey on insects and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

Look at their eyes even when they are asleep! They use their golden mesh-patterned nictitating membrane to hide their red eyes and protect them from drying out. Their eyelids also close from bottom to top, the opposite of how humans do, which is quite mysterious!

Saltwater Fish

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

Blackback butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon melannotus
English name
Blackback butterflyfish

Features

Its distinctive feature is the small, diagonal black spots on its white body, bordered in yellow. It inhabits rocky and coral reef areas, feeding on Corals polyps and small bottom-dwelling animals. The name "butterflyfish" comes from the fact that the way it swims resembles a butterfly fluttering through a flower field.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a beautiful black and white pattern on its body, bordered with yellow. It has a cute, pursed mouth!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Yakushima, etc.

Blackback butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon melannotus
English name
Blackback butterflyfish

Features

It is omnivorous, feeding mainly on polyps, algae, small crustaceans, and other things. Its body is white with a black diagonal line extending toward its dorsal fin, and its head and fins are yellow, surrounding it.

From the breeding staff

Its slightly rounded shape is very cute. Its Japanese name, Akebono Chochou, comes from the sunlight shining through the horizon at dawn.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Angelfish family
distribution
Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean

Blue face angelfish

Scientific name
Pomacanthus xanthometopon
English name
Blue face angelfish

Features

A large fish that is rare in Japan. The body color of juveniles and adults is very different, with juveniles having white stripes on a blue background. Adults have a blue head, yellow around the eyes, and a large black spot on their dorsal fin. They are omnivorous, feeding on algae, attached organisms, Corals polyps, etc.

From the breeding staff

The blue and white vertical stripes are its charming feature! This pattern is characteristic of juvenile fish!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Izu Islands, Izu Peninsula, Wakayama Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Yakushima, Tottori Islands, Ryukyu Islands

Stout chromis

Scientific name
Chromis chrysura
English name
Stout chromis

Features

Juvenile fish have blue vertical lines above their eyes and blue fins. Their body color is yellowish. As they become adults, their body color becomes black, with only their tail fin turning white. When they reach adulthood, they live in schools and feed on zooplankton and attached algae.

From the breeding staff

The Bowtie damselfish also changes color in a similar way from juvenile to adult, but is there any pattern to this?

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
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.

Birds & Others

Classification
Anura, Dendrobates
distribution
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Strawberry poison dart frog

Scientific name
Dendrobates pumilio
English name
Strawberry poison dart frog

Features

They live on the forest floor of tropical rainforests. Their bright body color is a warning color, and when they sense danger, they secrete a deadly poison from their skin. This poison accumulates in their bodies as they prey on ants, flies, and other prey, but captive species are non-poisonous because their diet can be controlled.

From the breeding staff

The males sing for breeding purposes. Listen carefully and hear their calls, grrrrr!

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.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Parrotfish
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean (excluding the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands)

Forsten's parrotfish

Scientific name
Scarus forsteni
English name
Forsten's parrotfish

Features

Males are generally bluish in color with bright pink bands on their pectoral and caudal fins, while females are reddish in color, which is quite different from males.

From the breeding staff

This parrotfish has distinctive patterns on the male and female, making them easy to distinguish! Females can be easily identified by the blue pattern in the middle of their bodies!

Birds & Others

Classification
Red starfish, Family Blue bat star
distribution
Hokkaido to Kyushu, East China Sea, etc.

Blue bat star

Scientific name
Patiria pectinifera
English name
Blue bat star

Features

A rounded starfish that lives in abundance in the waters around Japan. Most individuals have five arms, but there are also individuals with four or six arms.

From the breeding staff

This starfish got its name from the pentagonal shape of the old thread spools. But what does a thread spool really mean?

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Miyakejima, south of Sagami Bay

Nebulous wrasse

Scientific name
Halichoeres nebulosus
English name
Nebulous wrasse

Features

It mainly lives on coral reefs and the surrounding rocky areas. It has a distinctive red pattern on its cheek, which is particularly visible in males.

From the breeding staff

Although its appearance may seem conspicuous at first glance, it blends in well with its rocky habitat.

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!

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, 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.

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.

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
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
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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Boxfish family
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Hachijojima, etc.

Roundbelly cowfish

Scientific name
Lactoria diaphana
English name
Roundbelly cowfish

Features

It is a member of the boxfish family, and when it feels stressed, such as when it is about to be attacked by an enemy, it tries to protect itself by releasing a sticky poison from its body. It preys on small crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

They have a strong appetite. They suck food in with their cute little mouths and eat it. If you're lucky, you might even get to see them eating!

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.

Reptiles

Classification
Order: Agamidae
distribution
Northern Australia, Southern New Guinea

Frill-necked lizard

Scientific name
Chlamydosaurus kingii
English name
Frill-necked lizard

Features

They live in trees and spend most of their time in them. When they sense danger, they spread the collar around their neck to intimidate. They mainly eat insects, and sometimes come down to the ground to look for food.

From the breeding staff

His sleeping face is cute and he looks cool with his collar spread out!

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
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.

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.

Reptiles

Classification
Order Squamata, Family Gekkonidae
distribution
Southern New Caledonia

New caledonian crested gecko

Scientific name
Correlophus ciliatus
English name
New caledonian crested gecko

Features

Its name comes from the crown-like protrusion on its head, and above its eyes there is an eyelash-like protrusion called a "crest". It is nocturnal and often stays still in trees during the day, eating insects and fruit at night.

From the breeding staff

Its charming feature is its crests that look like eyelashes. It loves not only insects but also sweet fruit.

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Sphyrnaea
distribution
South of Okinawa Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Sawtooth barracuda

Scientific name
Sphyraena putnamae
English name
Sawtooth barracuda

Features

It has a bright red body color and large eyes. It is nocturnal, hiding in the crevices of rocks and Corals during the day, and becomes active at night in search of prey. It is carnivorous, preying on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

They grow to about 80-90cm in length and swim in large schools along the coast.
At our museum you can enjoy realistic images!

Birds & Others

Classification
Isopods, family Azotomidae
distribution
Western Pacific Ocean, East China Sea, etc.

Deep-sea giant isopod

Scientific name
Bathynomus doederleini
English name
Deep-sea giant isopod

Features

It is a type of isopod, the same family as pillbugs. It is called the cleaner of the ocean floor because it eats the carcasses of living creatures. It can swim using the swimming legs on its abdomen and its tail.

From the breeding staff

The famous Giant Isopod lives deeper than this Deep-sea giant isopod and is even larger.

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?

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Shizuoka Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, Minamidaito Island, and the Ogasawara Islands

Blacktail snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus fulvus
English name
Blacktail snapper

Features

Juvenile fish have yellow vertical lines, and their pelvic, anal and pectoral fins are yellow, while their dorsal and caudal fins are deep red. As they grow, the yellow vertical lines disappear. They eat crustaceans and small fish. They are edible, but they can contain ciguatera toxins.

From the breeding staff

Personally, I think the horizontal lines are cuter, but unfortunately they disappear when they become adults.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Trachyidae
distribution
Hachijo Island, Ehime Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, the Western Atlantic Ocean, etc.

Speckled sandperch

Scientific name
Parapercis pacifica
English name
Speckled sandperch

Features

The body is mainly white with many brown spots from the head to the base of the tail fin, and as the name suggests, there is a large black spot on the tail fin. Males have about three rows of small eye-like spots on their abdomen, while females have six to seven. They are often seen in sandy areas around coral reefs.

From the breeding staff

This species generally resides at the bottom of the aquarium.
If you look below, you will see them standing still, using their pectoral fins like hands for support, so give it a try!

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, Pomacentridae
distribution
Hachijo Island, the Pacific coast south of Shizuoka Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, etc.

Whitetail damsel

Scientific name
Pomacentrus chrysurus
English name
Whitetail damsel

Features

Juvenile fish have eye-like spots on their dorsal fins, but as they grow, the eye-like spots fade and become less visible, and their body color changes to a darker shade.

From the breeding staff

The appearance changes between adults and children, making it easy to keep track of their growth!

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.

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!

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.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Anguilliformes, Family Moray eels
distribution
Suruga Bay, the Ryukyu Islands, the Western Indian Ocean, the Western Pacific Ocean, etc.

Slender giant moray

Scientific name
Strophidon sathete
English name
Slender giant moray

Features

It is a member of the Bamboo Moray genus, which has a slender body within the Moray eel family, but when fully grown, it can reach a total length of over 3m, making it one of the largest moray eels in the family. Contrary to its appearance, it has a timid personality and will hide in crevices of rocks or in the muddy bottom if it senses danger. It mainly lives in inner bays, but can also be seen in mangrove areas in Okinawa Prefecture.

From the breeding staff

They usually hide among the rocks and are often not seen.
They appear when they are hungry or when it's time to move!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Scorpaeniformes, Scorpaenidae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Stonefish

Scientific name
Synanceia verrucosa
English name
Stonefish

Features

Their body colors are often black, brown, or yellow, and they often camouflage themselves with rocks or Corals on the seabed. Because they are difficult to distinguish, even experienced divers can step on them without noticing. The spines on their dorsal fins contain highly venomous poison, and if they are stung, they can cause severe pain and even death.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a body that looks just like a rock and a menacing face! It swallows your rice whole in an instant!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Parrotfish
distribution
Kashiwajima, Kochi Prefecture, south of the Ogasawara Islands, India, Pacific Ocean

Yellowband parrotfish

Scientific name
Scarus schlegeli
English name
Yellowband parrotfish

Features

The body color of the male and female are different, and males have a distinctive horizontal band on the back and belly of the rear half of their body. They live in coral reefs and rocky areas, where they feed on algae and crustaceans attached to rocks.

From the breeding staff

The male's name comes from the band-like pattern on his body! The contrast between the slightly darker body color and the blue band is beautiful!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Hachijojima, Yakushima, the Ryukyu Islands, the Senkaku Islands, etc.

Indo-Pacific sergeant

Scientific name
Abudefduf vaigiensis
English name
Indo-Pacific sergeant

Features

It has five black horizontal stripes on its body, and is similar to the Scissortail sergeant. This species can be distinguished from the Scissortail sergeant by the lack of black lines above and below its tail fin, and by the yellow color of its back. It is omnivorous and will eat anything.

From the breeding staff

Its flashy appearance may make it look inedible at first glance, but it is delicious eaten raw or grilled with salt!

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!

Birds & Others

Classification
Decapoda, Shrimp family
distribution
South of Yakushima, from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean

Blood red fire shrimp

Scientific name
Lysmata debelius
English name
Blood red fire shrimp

Features

They have white tips on their legs and are also known as white sox shrimp. They have the habit of eating parasites that attach to the surface of other organisms' bodies or in their mouths, which is why they are known as cleaner shrimp.

From the breeding staff

This cute shrimp has a bright red body and a white sock accent. It is also great for cleaning the sea and aquariums.

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
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.
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