DMM KARIYUSHI AQUARIUM

Saltwater Fish

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, 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
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, 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, 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!

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 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
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!

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
Tetraodontiformes, Boxfish family
distribution
South of Kii Peninsula, India, Pacific Ocean

Longhorn cowfish

Scientific name
Lacteria cornuta
English name
Longhorn cowfish

Features

When young, they have a cute, dice-like appearance, but as they grow up, they take on a distinctive appearance with long spines above their eyes and on their tail fin. In response to irritation or stress, they secrete a mucus-like poison from their skin to protect themselves from predators.

From the breeding staff

This fish is characterized by the two spikes on its head! Its tail fin, which is usually folded, can be opened like a fan!

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, Scombridae
distribution
South of Okinawa Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Indian mackerel

Scientific name
Rastrelliger Kanagurta
English name
Indian mackerel

Features

This migratory fish swims in large schools. Its feeding method is unique, as it swims with its mouth wide open and eats the small fish and plankton it takes in along with the seawater, filtering them out with its gills.

From the breeding staff

This fish swims in schools and eats plankton and other seawater with its mouth wide open!

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
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Slingjaw wrasse

Scientific name
Epibulus insidiator
English name
Slingjaw wrasse

Features

When feeding, they have a distinctive way of extending their snout forward and instantly sucking in crustaceans caught in the gaps between the Corals. In addition, their body color varies widely, and even the same individual can change from yellow to brown or dark depending on the environment, so much so that they look like a completely different fish.

From the breeding staff

The spike-like part under its face is actually its jaw! When it eats, its mouth stretches out!

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
Order Perciformes, Family Carangidae
distribution
Southern Japan, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Bluefin trevally

Scientific name
Caranx melampygus
English name
Bluefin trevally

Features

Juveniles are silvery white, but as adults they turn golden and have bright blue dorsal and anal fins. They live in coral reefs and rocky areas, and have a voracious appetite, preying on fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

It is a beautiful fish with a silver body and blue dorsal and anal fins! In Okinawa, it is called Gala!

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
Order Oarfish, Family Oarfish
distribution
Oceans around the world

Oarfish

Scientific name
Regalecus glesne
English name
Oarfish

Features

A deep-sea fish with a long, slender body, silvery body color, and bright red fins. Because it lives in the deep waters of the open ocean, its detailed ecology has yet to be fully elucidated. It moves with the ocean currents, tilting diagonally and swaying in a treadmill position. It is occasionally spotted getting lost in shallow waters.

From the breeding staff

Its amazing length means it can't fit on one screen! The long red fins growing from its head are also quite distinctive!

Saltwater Fish

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

Common bluestripe snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus kasmira
English name
Common bluestripe snapper

Features

It has a yellow body and, as its name suggests, has four vertical stripes on its side. It lives in coastal reefs and coral reefs in large schools, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands. It preys on small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, etc.

From the breeding staff

As its name suggests, it has a pattern of four white lines! In Okinawa, it is also called Vitaro!

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
Perciformes, Angelfish family
distribution
Micronesia, Hawaiian Islands, Western Pacific

Flame angel fish

Scientific name
Centropyge loricula
English name
Flame angel fish

Features

It has a bright red body with four to five black stripes on its sides. It lives in shallow coral reef areas and feeds on small crustaceans and algae.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a bright orange body with black stripes. It goes great with a Corals tank!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Cardinalidae
distribution
Indonesia

Banggai cardinalfish

Scientific name
Pterapogon kauderni
English name
Banggai cardinalfish

Features

An endemic species found in Indonesia. All fins are elongated, with three black horizontal stripes across the white body. This species has a breeding pattern known as mouth-brooding, where the parent raises the young in their mouths. The male protects the eggs in his mouth until they hatch. The male does not eat food for 20-30 days during this time.

From the breeding staff

This fish has beautiful black and white starry sky-like fins! It's a mouth breeder that grows eggs with its big mouth!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of Sagami Bay, Pacific Ocean

Sailfin tang

Scientific name
Zebrasoma veliferum
English name
Sailfin tang

Features

As its name suggests, its dorsal and anal fins are long and large. When young, it swims with its fins spread, but when it becomes an adult, it swims with its fins closed. When it threatens an opponent or is startled, it spreads its fins as wide as it can.

From the breeding staff

As its name suggests, this fish has long dorsal and anal fins! It's usually closed, so it's hard to tell how big it is...

Saltwater Fish

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

Humpback red snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus gibbus
English name
Humpback red snapper

Features

Juvenile fish have a bluish body color, but when they become adults, their body height increases and their body color becomes reddish. They live in rocky and coral reef areas and prey on fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, etc.

From the breeding staff

This beautiful red fish swims in schools! When it is young, it has a slightly bluish color!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Parrotfish
distribution
South of Kii Peninsula, India, Pacific Ocean

Blue-barred parrotfish

Scientific name
Scarus ghobban
English name
Blue-barred parrotfish

Features

*Currently not on display.

The color of this species differs greatly between males and females. Females have a yellowish body color with light blue horizontal stripes, while males have a paler yellow and a bluish body color. They mainly feed on crustaceans and algae.

From the breeding staff

This fish has beautiful blue and yellow patterns! The female has more pronounced stripes!

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 Perciformes, Family Ophiopodidae
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Spangled emperor

Scientific name
Lethrinus nebulosus
English name
Spangled emperor

Features

As its name suggests, it has a face with a protruding snout that looks like it is playing a flute. The largest can reach a total length of nearly 1m. It lives in shallow waters from shallow waters offshore, and preys on small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, etc.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a distinctive pointed snout! In Okinawa, it is called Taman!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Western Pacific

Lemon damsel

Scientific name
Pomacentrus moluccensis
English name
Lemon damsel

Features

It has a bright golden coloration, with small black spots at the base of its pectoral fins and on the top of its gill covers. It is often found with other damselfish, and often lives around branching Corals.

From the breeding staff

It is a very hardy species and easy to keep at home.
This is a great introductory species for those who want to try Saltwater Fish!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
South of the Okinawa Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Ambon damsel

Scientific name
Pomacentrus amboinensis
English name
Ambon damsel

Features

As the name "fake" suggests, this species is very similar to the Lemon damsel. To distinguish it, this species has a large black spot at the base of the pectoral fin. In the juvenile stage, there is a characteristic eye-like spot on the dorsal fin, but this disappears as the fish grows.

From the breeding staff

Like the Lemon damsel, this species is often seen while skin diving.
It's very difficult to tell them apart underwater, so if you see them in the ocean, be sure to take a photo and try to guess what species they are later!

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
Carcharhinidae, Banded houndshark
distribution
South of Hokkaido, Northwest Pacific Ocean

Banded houndshark

Scientific name
Triakis scyllium
English name
Banded houndshark

Features

Although it has the most typical body shape compared to other sharks, it rarely attacks humans. It mainly lives in shallow waters and often stays still on seaweed beds, rocks, or sandy mud bottoms.

From the breeding staff

The most capricious person in our Touch Pool.
I guess it's ok to be touched by humans. Except when I feel like it, I rest in the middle.
If you find yourself in the middle, leave you alone!

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
Carcharhinidae, Carcharhinidae
distribution
Southern Japan, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blacktip reef shark

Scientific name
Carcharhinus melanopterus
English name
Blacktip reef shark

Features

It is about 1.6m long and is classified as a small shark. It is characterized by the black tips of its dorsal, caudal and anal fins. It lives in shallow waters at depths of about 30m and preys on fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

From the breeding staff

"Tsuma" means "edge." The tip of the fin is black, so it is called "Blacktip reef shark"!
By the way, there is also a shark called the "spotted white shark," which has white tips on its fins. This shark is difficult to keep in captivity, so unfortunately we do not have it at our aquarium!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Coccinellidae
distribution
South of Hokkaido, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Tiera batfish

Scientific name
Platax teira
English name
Tiera batfish

Features

They are characterized by their tall body height and wide body shape with long dorsal and anal fins. They usually grow to about 40cm in length, but can sometimes grow to nearly 1m. They form small schools in the mid-water area near the coast.

From the breeding staff

You wouldn't imagine it from their adult appearance, but when they are juveniles they look like dead leaves and use them to protect themselves!

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
Perciformes, Fusiliidae
distribution
South of Okinawa Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blue and gold fusilier

Scientific name
Caesio caerulaurea
English name
Blue and gold fusilier

Features

There are yellow vertical stripes on the upper side of the body. It is similar to the Dark-banded fusilier, but this species is taller and longer. It lives in schools in coastal coral reefs and rocky areas, and feeds on zooplankton.

From the breeding staff

We visited the large aquarium and swam with the school of fusiliers (Gurugun).
The one with a black dot on its tail fin is the hawksbill, and the one with a black line is the Blue and gold fusilier, so try and find them!

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes , Blackfin dartfish
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Fire goby

Scientific name
Nemateleotris magnifica
English name
Fire goby

Features

Its body color is white in the front half and red in the back half, and it has a long, standing dorsal fin that looks like a flag, hence the name.

From the breeding staff

Although she looks strong-willed, she actually has a gentle personality!
They live in small groups, so try and find them!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of the Kii Peninsula, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean

Bignose unicornfish

Scientific name
Naso vlamingii
English name
Bignose unicornfish

Features

It is a member of the Bluespine unicornfish, but it does not have a horn-like protrusion on its head, and has a bulging mouth. It usually inhabits coral reefs, and sometimes forms large schools near the cliffs on the outer edge of the reef. It feeds on zooplankton and other creatures. During the breeding season, males darken their body color and chase females.

From the breeding staff

Since it is a white fish, it can be enjoyed by grilling it with butter or stewing it!

Saltwater Fish

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

Sleek unicornfish

Scientific name
Naso hexacanthus
English name
Sleek unicornfish

Features

It is characterized by small scales and tough skin. It does not have horn-like protrusions, but has two spines at the base of its tail, which makes it a member of the longfin Bluespine unicornfish. It lives in large schools on the slopes of coral reefs. It feeds on zooplankton and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

It looks a bit like a Bluespine unicornfish, but unlike Bluespine unicornfish which like to live around the outer edges of coral reefs, the Sleek unicornfish tends to like deeper water with good tidal flow!

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, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Western Pacific

Harlequin tuskfish

Scientific name
Choerodon fasciatus
English name
Harlequin tuskfish

Features

It has orange and white stripes and blue teeth. Its name comes from the seven orange lines on its body. It lives alone on rocky and coral reefs. It is carnivorous and eats small fish and crustaceans that live on the seabed.

From the breeding staff

It's a fish that you'll never forget once you see it.
It has sharp teeth, which are characteristic of a type of fish called a wrasse, so take a good look at its mouth!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Porcupinefish, Porcupinefish
distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans around the world

Spot-fin porcupinefish

Scientific name
Diodon hystrix
English name
Spot-fin porcupinefish

Features

It grows to 60cm in length and is the largest species of Porcupinefish in Japan. Its spines are short and few in number. It lives in shallow waters around coral reefs and is a carnivorous fish that eats sea urchins and shellfish by crunching them with its strong teeth.

From the breeding staff

It is a member of the Porcupinefish family and looks similar to a Porcupinefish, but it is much larger than a Porcupinefish!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Blackspotted puffer

Scientific name
Arothron nigropunctatus
English name
Blackspotted puffer

Features

The name comes from the black dots scattered on its body. The body color varies from blue to yellow to white depending on the individual, and it is highly poisonous. It lives on coral reefs and preys on crustaceans and mollusks.

From the breeding staff

Its face is so cute that it is called the dog-faced puffer in English.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Ohiragishi, south of Ibaraki Prefecture, Nagasaki, the Ryukyu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, etc.

Pencil surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus dussumieri Valenciennes
English name
Pencil surgeonfish

Features

It is similar to the Yellowfin surgeonfish and the male surgeonfish, but the spines on its tail peduncle are covered with a white membrane. It grows to a body length of over 30 cm. It mainly feeds on algae, but also eats crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Her eyes look like she's wearing glasses and her small mouth is very cute.

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!

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Goatfish family
distribution
Hachijo Island, Ogasawara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, etc.

Whitesaddle goatfish

Scientific name
Parupeneus ciliatus
English name
Whitesaddle goatfish

Features

Like other goatfish, it has baleen-like organs that it uses to search for food in the sand. It lives alone or in small schools and preys on crustaceans and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

It is often mistaken for the Manybar goatfish, but the Whitesaddle goatfish has one black spot at the base of the tail, while the Manybar goatfish has another black spot under the second dorsal fin.

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
Marlinidae
distribution
Southern Japan, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Indo-Pacific sailfish

Scientific name
Istiophorus platypterus
English name
Indo-Pacific sailfish

Features

A type of large saltwater fish, some of which can reach a length of 3m and a weight of over 100kg. They are characterized by their large dorsal fin and spear-shaped upper jaw. They can swim at speeds of over 100km per hour, jumping across the ocean's surface. They prey on small fish such as sardines and horse mackerel, as well as squid.

From the breeding staff

You can watch dynamic images of wild animals on a large screen.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of the Nansei Islands, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Humphead wrasse

Scientific name
Cheilinus undulatus
English name
Humphead wrasse

Features

The name comes from the fact that the black vertical line through the eye makes it look like the fish is wearing glasses. The hump on its head that grows as it grows resembles Napoleon's military cap, so it is also known as the "Napoleon fish." Only males have large humps.

From the breeding staff

We raise young fish at our aquarium, and it is very soothing to see them growing little by little each day.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
South of Suruga Bay, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Coral hind

Scientific name
Cephalopholis miniata
English name
Coral hind

Features

It is characterized by its bright blue spots on its red body, and is also known as the "blue star grouper." It mainly feeds on small fish and crustaceans, but may also prey on larger mollusks such as octopus and squid.

From the breeding staff

The bright colours of the body brighten up the atmosphere of the aquarium.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Ophiopodidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture. Ogasawara. India, Western Pacific Ocean

Striped large-eye bream

Scientific name
Gnathodentex aureolineatus
English name
Striped large-eye bream

Features

A tropical fish that grows to about 30cm in length. There is a yellow vertical stripe on the abdomen of the side of the body, and a large yellow spot on the back of the body.

From the breeding staff

They swim in schools and have beautiful yellow spots on their backs.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Tokara Islands, Minamidaito Island, etc.

Elongate surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus mata
English name
Elongate surgeonfish

Features

It lives in the reefs and coral reefs of southern Japan. It is characterized by a short yellow band across its eye. Its body is bluish in color with many thin bright blue vertical bands. Like other fish in the family Scalpel sawtail, it has spines on its caudal peduncle.

From the breeding staff

Normally the beautiful vertical stripes are clearly visible, but when they are alert, their body color turns darker.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Tokara Islands, Minamidaito Island

Tomato clownfish

Scientific name
Amphiprion frenatus
English name
Tomato clownfish

Features

It mainly lives symbiotically with Corals sea anemones and giant sea anemones. It is characterized by a wide white horizontal band on its head. When it is a juvenile, it has two to three white horizontal bands, but as it grows, all of them disappear except for the line on its head.

From the breeding staff

Its beautiful orange color makes it stand out in the aquarium!

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
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands

Ringtail maori wrasse

Scientific name
Oxycheilinus unifasciatus
English name
Ringtail maori wrasse

Features

It is relatively large among the Labridae family, growing to over 40 cm. The body color varies from brown to reddish brown depending on the individual, with a brown line extending from behind the eyeball to the gill cover and a white horizontal band on the caudal peduncle. It is carnivorous, preying on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Its name is said to come from the white pattern on its tail peduncle, and it also has two distinctive red lines behind its eyes.
It has a distinctive appearance, so be sure to look for it.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Izu Oshima, Ogasawara Islands

Yellow-edged lyretail

Scientific name
Variola louti
English name
Yellow-edged lyretail

Features

This large species grows to a body length of 60cm. The rear end of the fins is yellow, and there are many small bluish purple and pale pink spots scattered on the sides of the body. Depending on the habitat, ciguatera toxins contained in the food they eat may accumulate.

From the breeding staff

They are laid-back creatures and often hide in crevices between the Corals to rest.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
Pacific coast south of the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands

Longspot snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus fulviflammma
English name
Longspot snapper

Features

This snapper grows to about 40cm in length. It has about five yellow vertical stripes on its side. There is a black spot on the back of its body, which is where its name comes from.

From the breeding staff

It's so cute to see them swimming close to their friends!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, southern Taiwan, Dongsha Islands, Western Atlantic Ocean

Narrow-lined puffer

Scientific name
Arothron manilensis
English name
Narrow-lined puffer

Features

There is a yellowish brown or brown vertical stripe up to the caudal peduncle, which fades as the fish grows. Body color varies from individual to individual, with most individuals being light-colored, but some being dark-colored.

From the breeding staff

It's very soothing to watch them swimming, moving their dorsal and pectoral fins, which are small compared to their body, with all their might!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Iwo Jima, Southern Taiwan

Speckled blue grouper

Scientific name
Epinephelus cyanopodus
English name
Speckled blue grouper

Features

It has a light blue-gray body color with small scattered spots on its sides. Adult fish are about 50-70cm long, and large individuals can exceed 1m in length. Its name comes from its habit of digging holes in the seabed to create hideouts.

From the breeding staff

The calm body color and blue spots are very beautiful.
They skillfully hide their large bodies behind the rocks while swimming, so be sure to go and look for them.

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
Tetraodontiformes, suborder Tetraodontiformes, family Tetraodontiidae
distribution
Hachijo Island, Ogasawara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, etc.

Stellate puffer

Scientific name
Arothron stellatus
English name
Stellate puffer

Features

It can grow to be quite large among pufferfish, sometimes exceeding 1m in length. It does not form schools, but lives alone. Its skin, ovaries, and liver are poisonous, making it the most poisonous of all pufferfish.

From the breeding staff

The charm of this pufferfish is the polka dot pattern that extends all the way to the area around the eyes. It grows quite large.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Suruga Bay

Jansen's wrasse

Scientific name
Thalassoma jansenii
English name
Jansen's wrasse

Features

*Currently not on display.

There are black diagonal bands on the sides of the body, with white or yellow areas between the bands. The shape of the diagonal bands varies greatly from individual to individual. It inhabits shallow rocky reefs and coral reefs.

From the breeding staff

This fish has cute black, white and yellow bands. The patterns vary greatly from individual to individual. Truly diverse.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
South of Suruga Bay, Ogasawara

Twotone tang

Scientific name
Zebrasoma scopas
English name
Two-tone tang

Features

Many individuals have a variation in body color, with some being more black than others and others being more yellowish. They live in coral reef areas and feed on algae.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a huge amount of individual variation, from completely black to completely yellow. Are they really the same 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.

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
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Hachijo Island, Yakushima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Camouflage grouper

Scientific name
Epinephelus polyphekadion
English name
Camouflage grouper

Features

In the Okinawa dialect, the fish is called "Yuyu-meebai" because its body surface is slimy with mucus, combining "Yuyu" which means drool and "Meebai" which is used for groupers. It lives in shallow water reefs and coral reefs and eats small fish, crustaceans, squid, octopus, etc.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a cool camouflage-like pattern, but it is also a bit of an unfortunate fish whose name means "drool."

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, Labridae
distribution
Hachijo Island, Wakayama Prefecture and south

Threespot wrasse

Scientific name
Halichoeres trimaculatus
English name
Threespot wrasse

Features

Males are greenish in color, while females are white or reddish. They live in coral reefs and the surrounding sandy bottoms and eelgrass beds. At night, they burrow into the sand.

From the breeding staff

The three stars in their name refer to the black dots near their tail fin and gills, but sometimes they have two stars.

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
Perciformes, Hawkfish family
distribution
South of Tanabe Bay, Wakayama Prefecture

Blackside hawkfish

Scientific name
Paracirrhites forsteri
English name
Blackside hawkfish

Features

Its name comes from the many reddish brown spots on its face. It is about 20cm long and feeds on small crustaceans and fish.

From the breeding staff

This fish has very distinctive spots on its face. Some people may not like this fish.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Hachijojima,

Sixline wrasse

Scientific name
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
English name
Sixline wrasse

Features

It has a bluish body with six or so orange vertical stripes. It lives on coral reefs, is about 9 cm long, and feeds on crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

The name includes the word "false" which comes from the fact that this fish belongs to the subfamily of the humphead wrasse.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Suruga Bay, the Izu Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands

Yellow-brown wrasse

Scientific name
thalassoma lutescens
English name
Yellow-brown wrasse

Features

As its name suggests, females are a beautiful golden yellow. Males have a noticeable red band pattern on their heads and a blue-green body. They undergo a sex change from female to male, which is often observed in the Labridae family.

From the breeding staff

Females also have a red pattern on their heads, but the color is lighter than that of males.

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?

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
Order Perciformes, Family Pycnonotidae
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of the Izu Peninsula, Ryukyu Islands, Senkaku Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Lesson's thicklip

Scientific name
Plectorhinchus lessonii
English name
Lesson's thicklip

Features

There are black vertical stripes on the sides of the body, and the dorsal, anal, and rib fins are mottled with yellow and black. When young, the entire body is covered with white and black vertical stripes.

From the breeding staff

The young fish look very similar to the striped Striped eel catfish, so if you spot one in the ocean, you might get a bit scared.

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
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
South of Chiba Prefecture

Vagabond butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon vagabundus
English name
Vagabond butterflyfish

Features

It resembles the Threadfin butterflyfish, but can be distinguished by the presence or absence of black bands, black spots, and extended soft rays of the dorsal fin. It is omnivorous, feeding on Corals polyps, attached algae, and benthic animals.

From the breeding staff

I think "Furai" probably means a wanderer, and perhaps it refers to traveling freely in nature.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Brown surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus nigrofuscus
English name
Brown surgeonfish

Features

It is generally brown with small orange spots around its face. It mainly eats attached algae. It lives in coral reefs and rocky areas.

From the breeding staff

This fish gives off a rather flat impression. Its small pursed mouth compared to its body makes it especially cute.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order: Perciformes, Family: Siganidae
distribution
South of Wakayama Prefecture, Ogasawara Islands

Rabbit-faced Spinefoot

Scientific name
Siganus argenteus
English name
Rabbit-faced Spinefoot

Features

It has a low body height among the rabbitfish family. Its dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are sharp and poisonous. Young rabbitfish are called "suku".

From the breeding staff

This fish has a unique shape with its fins spread wide, and you'll never forget it once you've seen it.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Ibaraki Prefecture, the Izu Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, the Ogasawara Islands, and Okinotorishima

Yellowfin surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus xanthopterus
English name
Yellowfin surgeonfish

Features

Its body is blackish with yellow around the eyes and on its pectoral fins. It has a movable spine at the base of its tail fin. It is omnivorous, feeding on algae and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a striking pale blue color rather than black. When it is a juvenile, it is completely black.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Hachijo Island, the Pacific coast south of Sagami Bay, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands

Epinephelus merra

Scientific name
Honeycomb grouper
English name
Epinephelus merra

Features

It has brown spots all over its body. It is small among groupers, measuring about 25cm. It lives in coral reefs and eats crustaceans and small fish. In Okinawa, it is called Ishimibai.

From the breeding staff

In Okinawa, the spots all over its body resemble stones, and it is called ishi (stone) meebai (grouper).

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Acanthidae
distribution
Pacific coast south of Hokkaido (mostly south of the Kanto region), Sea of ​​Japan, Seto Inland Sea, Ryukyu Islands

Jarbua terapon

Scientific name
Terapon jarbua
English name
Jarbua terapon

Features

It got its name from the fact that its cry, "Guuguu," sounds similar to the sound of a koto. It has a silvery-white body with three black vertical lines, and some individuals can grow up to 50 cm in length.

From the breeding staff

Jarbua terapon is a very elegant name because it makes the sound of a koto. If it were Guuguu, it would have a completely different impression.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Fusiliidae
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Shima and Owase in Mie Prefecture, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands

Dark-banded fusilier

Scientific name
Pterocaesio tile
English name
Dark-banded fusilier

Features

They are often found on coral reefs and live in large schools. Their body color changes depending on the brightness of their surroundings, being blue during the day and red at night or in other dark places.

From the breeding staff

This fish is so clever that it changes the color of its body depending on the brightness of its surroundings. And it actually makes sense. Nature is amazing.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Pycnonotidae
distribution
The Ryukyu Islands

Silver grunt

Scientific name
Pomadasys argenteus
English name
Silver grunt

Features

Its body is silvery white, with yellow pelvic and anal fins. It is also known as "Gakugaku," because of the sound it makes when it vibrates its swim bladder.

From the breeding staff

"Gakugaku" is the name they call it in Okinawa, and it has a slightly pathetic ring to it that's kind of cute.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Izu Islands, Pacific coast south of Kanagawa Prefecture, Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands

Scissortail sergeant

Scientific name
Abudefduf sexfasciatus
English name
Scissortail sergeant

Features

There are five broad black horizontal bands on the sides of the body, and a black line on the tail fin. It lives in shallow rocky areas and coral reefs, and feeds on algae and plankton.

From the breeding staff

The six-lined damselfish, including the lines on its tail fin, is very greedy and will immediately start eating even if its environment changes.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontiidae
distribution
The Pacific coast south of Aomori Prefecture, the Sea of ​​Japan, the Izu Islands, the northern coast of Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Ogasawara Islands.

White-spotted puffer

Scientific name
Arothron hispidus
English name
White-spotted puffer

Features

It has a light grey body with white spots and a rippling pattern on its ventral side. It is omnivorous and has very powerful teeth.

From the breeding staff

It got its name from the pattern on its belly that looks like waves. It's a cute fish with a slightly silly face.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
Shizuoka Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Kochi Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Yakushima Island, Ryukyu Island, Senkaku Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Okinotorishima Island

Two-spot red snapper

Scientific name
Lutjanus bohar
English name
Two-spot red snapper

Features

Its body is uniformly reddish-black, and can grow to a maximum length of over 1m. It is carnivorous, preying on fish and invertebrates.

From the breeding staff

Due to its varied diet, this fish is prone to ciguatera poisoning, so be careful when eating it.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Angelfish family
distribution
Hachijojima, Wakayama Prefecture and south, Ogasawara Islands, Indian and Pacific Oceans (excluding the Red Sea and Hawaiian Islands)

Twospined angelfish

Scientific name
Centropyge bispinosa
English name
Twospined angelfish

Features

The body is nearly oval and is about 8 cm long. There are purple horizontal stripes on the body, and the body color varies considerably depending on the region and individual. It is omnivorous and eats organisms and algae attached to rocks.

From the breeding staff

The edges of this fish's body are a beautiful lapis lazuli color, while the center is a warm orange color, creating a very beautiful contrast.

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
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Hachijo Island, Yakushima Island, Ogasawara Islands, etc.

Tripletail wrasse

Scientific name
Cheilinus trilobatus
English name
Tripletail wrasse

Features

It is characterized by a three-pronged tail fin. Body color varies depending on the stage of growth and the individual. Young fish have gray and black stripes and do not have a forked tail fin. Males grow to about 50 cm, making them the second largest fish in the Humphead wrasse genus.

From the breeding staff

At first glance, the origin of the name of this fish seems obvious from its tail fin, but in fact, the origin is unknown. Could it be three leaves, three teeth, or three blades?

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.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
Indian Ocean, Central and Western Pacific Ocean

Seychelles butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon madagaskariensis
English name
Seychelles butterflyfish

Features

This butterflyfish has a white body with a black horizontal stripe in the shape of a letter "K", and the bright orange rear half of its body and tail fin. It preys on Corals polyps and small crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

This butterflyfish has a unique body pattern. We keep several kinds of butterflyfish at our aquarium, so it's fun to compare them!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
Indian Ocean, Central and Western Pacific Ocean

Redtail butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chaetodon collare
English name
Redtail butterflyfish

Features

The white line behind the eye looks like a collar, hence the name "collare" (Latin for collar). The eyebrow-like pattern above the eye is also distinctive. It preys on Corals polyps and other creatures.

From the breeding staff

This is a member of the butterflyfish family with a beautiful yellow and black gradation color. Its rounded fins are very cute!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Ranunculidae
distribution
Western Pacific

Ruby dragonet

Scientific name
Synchiropus sycorax
English name
Ruby dragonet

Features

Its bright red body color is distinctive. It feeds by pecking at microorganisms attached to sand, rocks, Corals, etc. with its small mouth. Males have a large dorsal fin that they spread to attract females.

From the breeding staff

This fish has a beautiful ruby-like red body color and is very attractive. It swims around rocks and Corals.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes Butterflyfishes
distribution
Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean

Copperband butterflyfish

Scientific name
Chelmon rostratus
English name
Copperband butterflyfish

Features

This butterflyfish is characterized by five orange horizontal stripes. Its snout is longer than other butterflyfish because it preys on small crustaceans that live in the gaps between rocks and Corals.

From the breeding staff

It has a long mouth called a proboscis, and is easy to identify because it is slightly different in shape from the other butterflyfish species we keep at our aquarium. It has a distinctive orange vertical stripe pattern.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Coccinellidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Yakushima, Hachijojima, etc.

Orbicular batfish

Scientific name
Platax orbicularis
English name
Orbicular batfish

Features

It is similar to the Tiera batfish, but it does not have the black spot between its pectoral and pelvic fins, and its pelvic fins are black. When it is a juvenile, its dorsal and pelvic fins are long, and it is called the Tiera batfish because it resembles a swallow.

From the breeding staff

The appearance of the juvenile and adult Orbicular batfish is different. They have a strong appetite, so we raise adult fish at our aquarium.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
The Ryukyu Islands south of the Okinawa Islands, Yakushima, etc.

Malabar grouper

Scientific name
Epinephelus malabaricus
English name
Malabar grouper

Features

Yaito means "moxibustion," and the name comes from the fact that the dark brown spots on its body resemble the marks of moxibustion. It inhabits coral reefs, rocky areas, mangrove forests, etc., and preys on small fish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

They often rest on the rocks or among the Corals in the large aquarium. Please look for them! They are also edible fish and are said to be delicious.

Saltwater Fish

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

Darkfin hind

Scientific name
Cephalopholis urodeta
English name
Darkfin hind

Features

This grouper is characterized by two diagonal white stripes on its tail fin. Individuals vary in body color, with some being red and others brown. They live in shallow coral reefs, and in Okinawa they are sometimes called akamebai.

From the breeding staff

This is a type of grouper with a beautiful red body color. In the aquarium, you can often see them resting among the Corals or on the rocks.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Lutjanidae
distribution
Ryukyu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Yakushima

Black and white snapper

Scientific name
Macolor niger
English name
Black and white snapper

Features

The color of the adult fish is very different from that of the juvenile fish, with the juvenile fish having a black base with white vertical stripes and spots, but the adult fish has a completely black body color. In Okinawa, it is sometimes called Inafuku.

From the breeding staff

When young, they have cute patterns, but as they grow, the patterns gradually disappear and their whole body becomes blackish. They are also known as edible fish in Okinawa.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Stripey
distribution
Sanin, south of Ibaraki Prefecture, Taiwan, Hawaiian Islands, and reef areas of Australia

Stripey

Scientific name
Microcanthus strigatus
English name
Stripey

Features

Juvenile fish can be found in shallow areas such as tide pools, but adult fish live in shallow coastal reefs at depths of up to 150m. Although it looks like a butterflyfish, it is actually a close relative of the black porgy and the Lowfin chub.

From the breeding staff

This beautiful fish has a yellow body with black stripes. It eats the annoying sea anemones that are a problem in aquariums.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Japanese bullhead shark, Family Japanese bullhead shark
distribution
Northwest Pacific

Japanese bullhead shark

Scientific name
Heterodontus japonicus
English name
Japanese bullhead shark

Features

A benthic shark that inhabits the Pacific coast. It is also called the "turban shellfish diver" because it feeds on shellfish and crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

This shark has a gentle personality and will never attack people. It usually lives in groups and stays still. You can touch them in the Touch Pool. Please give it a try!

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.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order: Squamata, Family : Zebra shark
distribution
Southern Japan, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Zebra shark

Scientific name
Stegostoma fasciatum
English name
Zebra shark

Features

Juveniles of this species have a tiger-striped body color called "Torafu," from which the fish gets its name, but as they grow, the tiger pattern changes to black spots like a leopard. They can grow to over 2m in length, with their tail fin taking up about half of their body. They are nocturnal and stay still on the seabed during the day.

From the breeding staff

This is the largest species of shark we keep at our aquarium. Please come and see them swimming gracefully in the large aquarium!

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
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.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Western Pacific Ocean south of Amami Oshima, Indian Ocean

Bowtie damselfish

Scientific name
Neoglyphidodon melas
English name
Bowtie damselfish

Features

When young, they have colorful bodies, but as they grow, they turn black.

From the breeding staff

Juvenile and adult fish look quite different. In the Touch Pool, there are colorful juvenile fish swimming. Please try to find them!

Saltwater Fish

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

Blackfin hogfish

Scientific name
Bodianus loxozonus
English name
Blackfin hogfish

Features

It is characterized by black spots that run from the back of its dorsal fin to its tail fin. It grows to about 35cm in length. It inhabits shallow coral reefs and rocky areas, and mainly preys on small crustaceans.

From the breeding staff

Take a good look at its mouth! Its teeth are very sharp!

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.

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
Order Alfonsino, Family Amphitrite
distribution
Pacific Ocean, East China Sea

Big roughy

Scientific name
Gephyroberyx japonicus
English name
Big roughy

Features

It grows to be the largest among the pelagic family. Its large mouth allows it to eat fish the same size as a striped jack.

From the breeding staff

This fish lives in the deep sea. It is edible and apparently delicious. At our museum, you can see it in the cold water fish section.

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 Sticklebacks, Family Longspine snipefish
distribution
South of central Honshu, Indo-West Pacific region

Longspine snipefish

Scientific name
Macroramphosus scolopax
English name
Longspine snipefish

Features

A type of stickleback fish characterized by its long, tubular snout. Its snout is tubular like a straw. Its head is usually pointed slightly downward.

From the breeding staff

This fish is characterized by a straw-like mouth called a proboscis, which it uses to suck in and eat food.

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Pomacentridae
distribution
Western Pacific, Indian Ocean

Goldtail Demoiselle

Scientific name
Chrysiptera parasema
English name
Goldtail Demoiselle

Features

This fish is often seen around branching Corals in shallow coral reefs. It lives in small schools or alone. It eats algae and zooplankton. It pairs up when breeding, and the male guards the eggs after spawning.

From the breeding staff

It looks very similar to the Sapphire devil, but its tail fin is yellow.

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!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
The Ryukyu Islands south of the Okinawa Islands, Yakushima

Carpenter's flasher wrasse

Scientific name
Paracheilinus carpenteri
English name
Carpenter's flasher wrasse

Features

A member of the wrasse family, it is characterized by its bright red body color. When males want to appeal to females, they spread their fins and change their body color to a mating color, a behavior known as "flashing."

From the breeding staff

Like peacocks, male Carpenter's flasher wrasse spread their fins to attract females.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Grouperidae
distribution
Okinawa Islands, Ogasawara Islands, East Indies-West Pacific

Humpback Grouper

Scientific name
Chromileptes altivelis
English name
Humpback Grouper

Features

A type of grouper characterized by a white body with black spots and a unique shape that rises from the head to the dorsal fin. It is a fish that changes sex, being born female and becoming male as it grows.

From the breeding staff

This fish has black polka dots and swims slowly and gently.

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Ranunculidae
distribution
Indian Ocean to Western Pacific Ocean

Starry dragonet

Scientific name
Synchiropus stellatus
English name
Starry dragonet

Features

It is a fish of the same family as the Mandarin Mandarinfish , the same as the Ruby dragonet . It moves by crawling and swims, preying on small crustaceans and microorganisms on the surface of sand, rocks, Corals , etc. It has more white parts on its body than the Ruby Dragonet.

From the breeding staff

It looks very similar to the Ruby dragonet, but there are some differences. It's interesting to compare the differences since they are kept in the same tank!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Order Perciformes, Family Scalpel sawtail, Family Acanthoptera
distribution
Indian Ocean

Powderblue surgeonfish

Scientific name
Acanthurus leucosternon
English name
Powderblue surgeonfish

Features

This fish is herbivorous, feeding on algae that grow on rocks. It has a bright blue body and a yellow dorsal fin. It grows to about 20 cm.

From the breeding staff

It is a type of tang with a beautiful blue and yellow body color. The one we have at the aquarium is still small, but it is said that it will grow to about 20 cm. We are looking forward to watching it grow!

Saltwater Fish

Classification
Perciformes, Labridae
distribution
Central and Western Pacific

Pastel-green wrasse

Scientific name
Halichoeres chloropterus
English name
Pastel-green wrasse

Features

It is also called "Green Wrasse" or "Lime Wrasse". As its name suggests, it is a member of the wrasse family, characterized by its pale green body. As it grows, the males and females change color in different ways.

From the breeding staff

It's actually a rare Saltwater Fish that's completely green!
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