Butterflyfish may not be the largest animals in our oceans by any stretch of the imagination, but they are without doubt always a joy to see – much like the insects from which they take their name. So, to celebrate these beautiful but often overlooked creatures, we’re taking an in-depth look at the humble butterflyfish in all its colour and splendour.

Your need-to-know butterflyfish fact file

First things first, let’s help you get to know the butterflyfish a little better. Here’s everything you need to know about these fun and docile creatures of the deep.

How big are butterflyfish and what do they look like?

Butterflyfish are classified as small fish and rarely grow bigger than 20cm in length. Similar to the angelfish, they have flattened bodies which allow them to manoeuvre easily through passages in coral reef systems.

Of course, one of the most notable features of butterflyfish is their brightly coloured bodies. Thanks to these distinctive colours and patterns, butterflyfish are able to camouflage themselves among the coral, keeping them out of sight whenever a predator passes by. Some of the most common butterflyfish fish colour variations include black, yellow, and white.

Other distinctive features of the butterflyfish include their uninterrupted dorsal fins and round tails, as well as their attractive disk-shaped bodies. Essentially, you’ll spot one a mile off – unless they’re well camouflaged, that is. Many butterflyfish also have a false eye on the back of their body, so predators think they’re staring right at them! Paired with the blackout of their actual eyes, and this makes a super confusing trick.

Where are butterflyfish commonly found?

That’s easy: pretty much everywhere!

Butterflyfish are found throughout the world’s oceans, particularly in tropical waters where their beloved coral reef habitats are found in abundance. They have been sighted in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, placing them among the most widespread species of tropical fish on the planet.

How many species of butterflyfish are there?

Marine biologists place the number of butterflyfish species at around 129, though there may be more yet to be discovered. Since butterflyfish are able to change their colour to blend into the background, it’s sometimes hard to pinpoint specific species, so there could well be other types of butterflyfish out there that biologists are yet to classify.

What do butterflyfish eat?

Like their insect counterparts, butterflyfish have a surprisingly varied diet. While their preferred food is small invertebrates like worms and sponges, they’re also known to eat plankton, algae, and coral polyps. Whatever’s on the menu, butterflyfish have the right tools for the job, with a protruding mouth and comb-like teeth that allow them to feed in the tiny crevices and gaps of coral reef systems. The copperband butterflyfish even munches on pest anemone, thanks to their mucous-y lips which stops them from being stung!

What are a butterflyfish’s most feared predators?

Butterflyfish have a lot to contend with down on the reef, so no wonder they prefer to stay hidden in the coral. Their natural predators include the fearsome moray eel, snappers, groupers, and sharks. Sadly, they’re virtually defenceless, so their only option is to swim and hide if detected by a predator.

Bonus fast facts about the amazing butterflyfish

• Remarkably, butterflyfish communicate by sound and can often be seen swimming in pairs as a result of this. The fish work together while feeding, with one essentially keeping a lookout for approaching predators.

• Some species of butterflyfish have an eye-like pattern on their tails, which they use to confuse would-be predators.

What are the most notable species of butterflyfish?

With a minimum of 129 species of butterflyfish in our oceans, it’s difficult to choose favourites. But for the sake of showcasing just how beautiful and varied these tropical reef fishes are, we’ve picked out a handful that offer something extra special.

African butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi)

First up is perhaps the most unusual butterflyfish of them all: the African butterflyfish. These curious creatures reside in freshwater as opposed to the ocean and aren’t closely related to their seafaring brethren. Still, they’re no less charming, with a unique body shape and spectacular pectoral fins that let them glide effortlessly through the water.

Copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

With its exquisite copper and white markings and slender, protruding mouth, the copperband butterflyfish is a classic example of the species. These fish are predominantly white, with three brightly coloured bands running the length of their bodies from top to bottom. They’re typically found in the western Pacific, among the exquisite corals of the Great Barrier Reef.

Threadfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)

With a distinctly patterned body that’s not unlike a pop star from the 1980s, the threadfin butterflyfish is a joy to look at. These unique fish are black, white, and yellow in colour, with narrow diagonal stripes interlocking across their bodies. You’ll find them all over the world, from the Red Sea to Hawaii.

Longnose butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)

You guessed it, the longnose butterflyfish has one highly distinctive characteristic: a gigantic snout! The longnose’s nose measures virtually a third of its total body length, perfect for getting into tiny gaps to sniff out prey. It’s also extremely brightly coloured, with a vibrant yellow body that’s topped with a mohawk-like dorsal fin. Trust us, this butterflyfish is hard to miss.

Pearlscale butterflyfish (Chaetodon xanthurus)

Arguably the prettiest of all butterflyfish species, the pearlscale butterflyfish is characterised by its iridescent scales that shimmer in the sunlight beneath the waves. While most of their bodies are silver, their tails are striped in the colours of white and orange, much like a clownfish. This is a defence mechanism intended to confuse predators, which can easily miss their target, allowing the pearlscale to swim away unscathed.

Lunula raccoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)

Thanks to its adorable black and white eye markings, it’s very easy to see why this particular butterflyfish species earned its name. Found in the Indian and Pacific oceans, the racoon butterflyfish is on the larger side of the Chaetodontidae family, with a robust, oval-shaped body that can grow to over eight inches in diameter. Suffice to say, thanks to its size, markings and beautiful black, white, and yellow colour, this is a firm favourite

Schooling Bannerfish Butterfly (Heniochus diphreutes)

The schooling bannerfish is a species of ray-finned butterflyfish that’s native to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. Measuring up to 21cm, the fish is often wrongly confused with the moorish idol, earning it the apt synonym false moorish idol. That’s all to do with its outlandishly long dorsal fin, which is longer than the fish’s actual body, as well as its striped body and brightly coloured pectoral fin.

Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii)

The coral-eating sunburst butterflyfish is identified by its unique black stripe, running near vertically through the centre of its head. These small golden fish typically live in deeper lagoons, where they often live in pairs – particularly during breeding periods. Sunbursts are omnivores that feed on a range of foods, including algae, plankton, and coral polyps.

Pyramid butterflyfish (Chaetodon polylepis)

What better butterflyfish to end on than the pyramid, whose triangular markings prove that these fish really do come in all sorts of different shapes and patterns. The pyramid butterflyfish features a bold white shape that spans much of its body, as well as bright yellow fins at the top and bottom of its body. Unlike the racoon, this butterflyfish is on the smaller side, but its iconic triangular markings ensure it’s still easy to spot among its counterparts.

So, there you have it, an in-depth look at the irresistible butterflyfish. If you love tropical species like this, you’ll find plenty to enjoy over at Coral Cave, a special exhibit dedicated to the tropical fish of the Indian and Pacific oceans. To plan your next visit to Blue Planet Aquarium, check out our visitor info page.

Immerse yourself in the sounds of the rainforest, our tropical flooded river exhibit mimics the environment found in the Amazon. You’ll come face to fin with Giant Pacu, the often misunderstood Piranha and a new arrival… Discus fish also known as the King of The Aquarium!

Wild discus live in the margins of floodplains, flooded forests and lakes in the Amazon basin. For the most part these areas are away from the fast flowing river tributaries and are called ‘Lentic’ meaning slower moving. They are tall and thin (or ‘laterally compressed’) to help them navigate through tangled undergrowth and sunken branches. Angel fish have evolved into a similar shape for the same reason. Discus can grow to the size of small dinner plates, reaching a diameter of 25cm or more. It’s not known exactly why Discus got the royal title of ‘King’ but it is thought possibly due to their majestic deportment and colours.

It could also have something to do with the fact that they are considered by fishkeeping hobbyists to be one of the most difficult fish to keep. Here at the Blue Planet Aquarium we have found that our discus love clean water so we exchange 20% of their water every day for fresh, clean dechlorinated water. When old enough to breed, discus ‘pair off’, laying and then sharing the guarding of their eggs until they hatch. Once hatched, for the first couple of weeks of their lives, the young fry feed off the slime coat on their parents’ sides until large enough to eat other food. Unlike most other species of the Cichlid family, Discus enjoy the feeling of being in a large group.

At the Blue Planet aquarium, whilst their display may look crowded, this has been done purposely to make them feel safe. Underneath the display, out of sight, is a second large tank (called a sump) which contains another large volume of water and a large filtration system. The purpose of this is to ensure that they enjoy a clean, well oxygenated environment, much like their natural habitat. It is for the same reason that the display is kept at a constant 30oC (86oF); a few degrees warmer than many species of tropical fish. In the wild, with their small mouths and large bodies, discus feed frequently rather than all at once.

It is for this reason that our discus are fed three times a day with a meat based diet which also contains some vegetable matter. Discus’ natural diet is small Crustacea and vegetation and many years of research and experience has resulted in specialised commercially available equivalents.

Come visit these beautiful fresh water Discus Fish and see their amazing patterns for yourself!

It’s impossible to overstate the natural significance of Lake Malawi. The fourth-largest freshwater body in the world. Hosting over 1,000 species of fish, with new discoveries happening seemingly every other week. Also, it isn’t just the sheer volume of species which impresses. The lake is a goldmine for biodiversity. Also, most of its inhabitants are only found in Lake Malawi.

To celebrate this natural treasure, we’ll look at what makes it so special. We’ll also discuss our wonderful Lake Malawi exhibit. Where you can experience the beauty of this great African lake right here at Blue Planet Aquarium.

Where is Lake Malawi?

Found in southeast Africa between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, with much of it sitting within the beautiful hinterlands of Malawi. Thanks to its immense size, the waterway is one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It stretches for over 11,000 square miles, holding 7% of the Earth’s fresh surface water.

Lake Malawi formed millions of years ago, when the Earth’s crust tore apart, creating the spectacular Rift Valley. Over thousands of years, freshwater rose within this mighty gorge. Creating a vast body of water which today accounts for much of Malawi’s eastern border. This provides a natural divide between Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Without seeing Lake Malawi, it’s difficult to fathom its scale. But to give you an idea, the lake is around 400 miles long – roughly the distance between London and Edinburgh. It’s 47 miles across at its widest, well over twice the length of the UK’s largest lake, Lough Neagh. So yes, it’s big alright.

How Many Species of Fish Are There in Lake Malawi?

Lake Malawi is no ordinary lake. It’s home to an incredible diversity of life, with over 1,000 species of fish (and counting) in its waters. That’s more species than the lakes and rivers of Europe combined.

And it isn’t just the diversity of species which makes Lake Malawi so special. The lake is home to fish not found anywhere else on the planet. A fact which makes it one of the most valuable water ecosystems on Earth in terms of natural diversity.

Of Lake Malawi’s many freshwater species, easily the most beloved is its collection of over 600 species of Cichlid. These colourful fish are found all over the world but are abundant in Lake Malawi. This is proof of its credentials as a truly unique underwater ecosystem.

In recognition of its exceptional biodiversity, the waterway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1980. Despite this, its unique fish stocks are in decline. Overfishing, invasive species and a growing population are affecting its diversity and native species.

What Are Cichlids?

Cichlids are a type of freshwater fish found in rivers and lakes from Latin America to Africa. Currently, there are around 1,650 known species of cichlids. Though, biologists estimate that there could be thousands more yet to be discovered.

Cichlids are unique for several reasons. Firstly, they’ve evolved rapidly, with Lake Malawi hosting over 600 known species alone. Throughout all Africa’s Great Lakes, cichlids continue to draw fascination from biologists. Who believe they are important in our understanding of speciation and evolution.

The rate at which cichlids evolve and generate new species is dizzying. A trait rarely found in any other species group on Earth. It’s estimated a new species of cichlid is produced every 20 generations. This means their diversity in water bodies such as Lake Malawi continues to grow.

For this reason, cichlid species vary hugely in size, colour and appearance. Resulting in them being a popular aquarium fish. From tilapia, an important food-stock fish, and predatory perch-sized species, to smaller, brightly-coloured examples like the freshwater angelfish. The natural diversity of cichlids makes them highly unique among other freshwater species. Small wonder they attract such attention and make Lake Malawi an essential destination for biologists and fish hobbyists alike.

In Lake Malawi, in particular, the most prevalent group of cichlids is the rock-dwelling haplochromines. Known locally as ‘mbuna’, or ‘rockfish’. There are reputed to be over 295 types in the lake, and they’re by far the easiest to spot. Sticking to the shallows, their brightly-coloured scales set against the clear waters and the sandy lakebed.

Are Lake Malawi’s Fish Endangered?

Sadly, despite the rapidity at which cichlids evolve and the region’s status as a protected heritage site, Lake Malawi is suffering. Now, 1 in 10 fish in the lake are classified as endangered, with overfishing the greatest threat to its unique diversity and ecosystems.

Over the past two decades, the human population has doubled on the banks of Lake Malawi. This has led to a dramatic rise in overfishing. Something which is not only damaging the fragile ecosystems within the lake. But also, leading to a drop in the size and diversity of its rare species.

And overfishing isn’t the only threat to the lake’s native wonders. Pollution and agriculture are also damaging unique habitats and biodiversity. While invasive predatory species, like the Nile perch, now pose a significant threat to the future of the lake’s endangered inhabitants.

Thankfully, conservation work is ongoing, with biologists in the region doing an excellent job of bolstering local understanding of the lake’s natural value. Large parts of Lake Malawi are now protected. In these protected areas, fish numbers and diversity are recovering rapidly.

Experience Lake Malawi at Blue Planet Aquarium

At Blue Planet Aquarium, we’ve long recognised the beauty and diversity of Lake Malawi. Prompting us to create a special exhibit to showcase the lake’s spectacular and rare species. Within our wonderful Lake Malawi exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to see countless species of cichlids. Which offers you a glimpse into the unique variety, colour and appearance of these beloved fish.

As well as enjoying the wonders of Lake Malawi, you can also learn more about the region’s diverse species and habitats as part of a daily talk and presentation by our in-house experts. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into the value of Malawi’s freshwater fish stocks, as well as the ongoing conservation work in place to safeguard their numbers.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Lake Malawi and its extraordinary biodiversity. For more interesting features and insights, check out the Blue Planet Aquarium blog, or visit the homepage for visitor information and ticket booking.

Sturgeon Farming Process

The rearing of Siberian sturgeon to turn a profit became common in the 1970s, in what is now Russia. Annual catches often exceed several hundred tonnes globally. Additionally, present-day figures are much higher. In 2017, a survey recorded 2,329 commercial sturgeon farms in 46 countries. The growth of sturgeon farming has been so steep that the global harvest in 2017 was four times larger than all the global harvests from 1970 to 1980 added together.

Distinguishing between males and females is extremely difficult, so ultrasound scans take place when the fish are approximately 3 years old to determine their gender. They’re then separated with males being sold for meat and females kept for caviar. Caviar is sturgeon eggs, frequently considered a delicacy in many countries around the world.

Females can start producing eggs as young as 7 years old but usually begin producing significant numbers of eggs at around 12-15 years old. They’re subject to years of egg production. High egg yield females are kept to spawn new generations. Consequently, lower-yield females are sold for their meat.

To this day, the Siberian sturgeon remains one of the most profitable species in Russia. The inner membrane of a Sturgeon’s swim bladder forms part of the production of “isinglass”. Which is a very pure form of gelatin. When they’re sold as food, they can be fresh, pickled or smoked. However, the real money lies within the caviar industry.

Sometimes sold at over £1,000 per kilogram, caviar harvested from Siberian sturgeon is expensive. Each female is capable of spawning every other year – sometimes every year – and producing up to 9 kilograms of eggs per spawn. With a reproductive life span of over 50 years, this clearly shows the financial appeal of caviar farming.

Sturgeon Conservation

Siberian sturgeon are one of 27 sturgeon species. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies them as endangered.

Furthermore, 63% of all Sturgeon species are now critically endangered. With four species now thought to be extinct. Declines in their populations are largely due to:

• Overfishing for meat and caviar production
• Dam building blocking migration routes
• River pollution
• Habitat degradation and loss

A key reason for conserving all sturgeon species is they act as a living fossil record. This is because the sturgeon family is one of the oldest fish families on record, with fossils dating back to the mid Jurassic period, some 174 million years ago.

Here at Blue Planet, we have two species of sturgeon: Siberian and Diamond back. Found in our Northern Streams area, we consistently educate visitors on the importance and history of these fascinating fish. Although global caviar sales have been slowly reducing over the last 5 years, it’s possible many sturgeon populations may not bounce back from the decades of exploitation imposed upon them by the caviar industry. Hopefully – after existing on Earth for over 170 million years – harvesting limits and habitat management can ensure all sturgeon species continue to exist long into the future.

CHROMIS

Known for their bright colours, Chromis are one of the less-aggressive species of damselfish. Considered to be playful in their nature. Chromis are a much-anticipated addition to Blue Planet. Providing vibrancy and colour to our underwater world. Only growing to around 4” they tend to form large shoals. Large shoals are a wonderfully enjoyable sight!

Shoal Size

Keeping them requires at least 6 in a shoal. This is because it spreads the aggression from the ‘alpha’. Sharing the focus of any aggressive behaviour across the shoal. As a result, individuals are less likely to suffer an injury from the behaviour of the alpha.

Chromis Habitats

Chromis inhabit coral reefs, often floating above them as they feed on plankton. At night they sleep between the prongs of Staghorn coral. They cause no harm to the coral themselves, living harmoniously with their habitat.

Home at Blue Planet Aquarium

These are currently in our quarantine area. This is to ensure they are safe and healthy. Once we’re sure there are no complications they will be moving into their new home. They will be on display very soon in our Caribbean Reef exhibit. You can find this along our Shark Tunnel. Keep your eyes peeled for this delightful damselfish!
 

If you wish to visit the Blue Planet Aquarium and witness some Chromis for yourself. Visit our Visitor Information page to plan your trip. Either purchase tickets online or pay when you arrive. No need to book a time or date. Tickets purchased online are valid for 6 months.

It’s an exciting time here at Blue Planet Aquarium! This week we have had the arrival of a very mischievous and beautiful Queen Triggerfish! This guy used to live in a much smaller tank, where he was one of the bigger fish in a small tank, The Krakatoa Exhibit in our sister aquarium Deep Sea World.
He ended up being quite the mischievous fellow and a bully to some of his tank mates. Especially the Batfish whom he didn’t like at all.

A New Home for a Queen Triggerfish

Freddie has now moved house to our larger Ocean Exhibit. This is the largest tank we have here at Blue Planet Aquarium. Home to many of our largest species including Sand Tiger Sharks, Zebra Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Blacktip reef sharks.

Before being released into the tank he spent a short time in our quarantine tanks to ensure he was safe and healthy after the move.

The first thing Freddie did in his new home was head over to the Aquatheatre window. This is where all the action takes place. It is where our Southern Atlantic Stingrays are fed during our Diver Presentation. Immediately making his presence known to his new neighbours.

Staking His Claim

Queen Triggerfish are known to be rather territorial. Seemingly he wanted to get himself a piece of prime real estate in our Ocean Exhibit!
So when you are standing in front of our Aquatheatre window, take a look to your left. You might just see this plucky fellow standing guard over his new home!

Precious family memories are created during these Christmas holidays, share your memories with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Over the Christmas Holiday, we are open every day. With the exception of the 25th of December. The animals are busy exchanging gifts on Christmas day! Plan a visit to Blue Planet Aquarium for a fabulous Christmas activity and create Christmas Fishes!
 

 
We’re proud to have such a diverse range of wildlife here are Blue Planet Aquarium. From swift sharks and feisty piranhas to slithery snakes, and sneaky spiders!
We imagine you’ll already know quite a bit about your favourite creatures. But remember, there’s always more to learn! Including some very strange facts about Blue Planet Aquarium’s inhabitants that might be difficult to get your head around!

With that in mind, here’s our selection of 10 weird and wonderful facts about Blue Planet Aquarium’s animal residents!
 

Blue Planet Fact: 1

Sand tiger sharks are pregnant for nine months

We couldn’t have a list of wonderful facts about Blue Planet Aquarium’s animals without mentioning the largest of the lot! Sand Tiger Sharks are pregnant for 9 months, just like humans! That’s a long time compared to many other animals, both in the sea and on land.
But, very much UNLIKE humans, these unborn sand tiger pups will eat their own siblings in the womb. Yep, that makes them cannibals. Gross.
It gets even grosser. Once they’re full up with their brothers and sisters, they sometimes eat their mother’s unfertilised eggs as well.
Talk about hungry. And awkward.

Blue Planet Fact: 2

Cichlids carry their eggs in their mouths

Cichlids are among the most loving and caring parents in the ocean. Showing a huge commitment to protecting their unborn children. Instead of placing their eggs in nests, cichlids carry the eggs around in their mouths – better safe than sorry!
This behaviour is known as “mouthbrooding” it’s also found in several other fish species, including catfish. And, although it is very rare among cichlids, some of them are even paternal mouthbrooders. Which means that the dads are the ones who carry the eggs for the mums!
 

Blue Planet Fact: 3

Goliath groupers have teeth but don’t use them

Goliath groupers must be in a rush or very impatient because they just swallow their prey whole. Without chewing, even though they have teeth. Can you imagine doing that? Definitely don’t try it at home, or anywhere else!
But don’t worry: they’re designed to be able to do this (unlike us!). A goliath grouper’s mouth is extremely large. They use it to generate negative pressure that sucks the prey in quickly. Yep, kind of like a vacuum cleaner.
 

Blue Planet Fact: 4

A large pelican can hold more than 11 litres of water in its bill

If you thought pelicans use their bills to catch fish, you’d be right! They don’t store fish in there once caught, though – they just swallow the fish immediately. That doesn’t sound too comfy to us, but it’s how they do it.
The other main use of the bill is to store water – a lot of water. Imagine a can of Coke or Fanta. The capacity of a fully grown pelican’s bill is more than 30 of those!
 

Blue Planet Fact: 5

Mud turtles hibernate in…

… Yep, you’ve probably guessed it…
The mud!
These creatures are omnivorous, meaning they’re not fussy about whether they eat animals or plants. But, they sometimes find that their habitats dry up in terms of food sources. When this happens, the mud turtle will either leave their current habitat in search of a new one. Alternatively, it will burrow into the mud and hibernate. Living in a state of dormancy for several months. Saving their energy up until they can emerge and flourish again.
 

Blue Planet Fact: 6

Female blacktip sharks can become pregnant without male help

How incredible is that?!
Blacktip sharks are capable of fertilising eggs by themselves! This process is known as parthenogenesis.
We should point out, however, that it is very uncommon for this to happen. Scientists have only found evidence of this twice during many years of DNA testing. 
 

Blue Planet Fact: 7

Desert vipers have three techniques for locating prey

When hunting for food, a desert viper can take three different approaches. Firstly, Vibration – sensing the vibrations of movement on the ground. Next, Body heat – reading heat signatures to find hotspots and thereby find prey. Finally, Eyesight – as you can easily imagine, just by looking around

Additionally, the fact that their venom contains 13 different toxins. As well as their colouration matches their natural environments. As a result, they can ambush and immobilise their prey easily. On the whole, it‘s no wonder they’re such efficient predators!
 

Blue Planet Fact: 8

A red-bellied piranha’s bite can be stronger than a great white shark’s!

We are talking pound for pound here, of course. But, it’s still impressive that something so small can match the ferocity of one of the world’s most feared predators!
In fact, did you know that their teeth are interlocking? So when they chomp down with those razor-sharp gnashers, that’s what makes their bites so devastating to prey.
Then again, don’t believe the myths: a pack of piranhas can’t strip an animal down to its skeleton in just a few seconds. That’s just silly movie and cartoon stuff!
 

Blue Planet Fact: 9

Electric eels navigate using their charge

You probably already knew that electric eels emit strong charges to defend themselves and stun their prey. However, did you know that they also use their electricity to navigate around? They have to because their eyesight is pretty dreadful! So they emit low-power charges that act as a kind of built-in radar system.
 

Blue Planet Fact: 10

Giant Pacific Octopuses have 3 hearts and 9 brains!

That’s right, these amazing masters of disguise have some serious internal organs. With one heart for pumping blood around the body. The other two are just for pumping blood over their gills. These truly awesome creatures never cease to amaze!

Embrace the Weird & Wonderful at Blue Planet Aquarium

Get right up close to these fascinating creatures here at our exhibits. Learn plenty of facts about Blue Planet Aquarium for yourself!

Have a wander through our 70-metre Underwater Shark Tunnel… Say hi to your thirsty new friends at Pelican Cove… Check out the freshwater fish in the Northern Streams… Brave the creepy crawlies in Venom! (if you dare)… 

And much more that we haven’t mentioned, such as Caiman crocs and exotic frogs.

Book your tickets here!

They are the most venomous fish in the world

In the underwater world, you don’t have to be the largest creature to be the biggest treat. Despite measuring at only 30 to 40 centimetres, the venom that the stonefish produces is some of the most venomous in the world and is fatal to not just marine animals but humans too.
For a complete recovery, a sufficient amount of anti-venom is required to quickly reverse the effects. Symptoms of a stonefish sting start with excruciating pain and swelling, which quickly develop into paralysis, tissue necrosis, and even heart failure if left untreated.

They are masters of disguise

With their encrusted brown or grey skin, and red or yellow patches, the stonefish has the ability to blend incredibly well with its surroundings.
Not only are they difficult to notice, but due to their size, they’re often mistaken for a stone or part of a coral reef. But the failure to distinguish a stonefish from a stone due to this camouflaging can have life-threatening consequences.
It’s often exciting to spot the most disguised critters when diving so remember to take notice of what’s hiding in the rocky seafloor or coral. What other camouflaged critters can you spot in our tank?

Their venom sacs are found in their dorsal fin spines

All 13 of them. Yes, the stonefish has 13 sharp dorsal fin spines along its back, each armed with two venom glands which release the deadly substance when the fish is disturbed or stepped on. In addition, the stonefish also has two pelvic and three anal spines hidden underneath its thick skin.

They are very fast predators

How fast, you ask? They can attack their prey in as little as 0.015 seconds.
You might assume that, as the most venomous fish in the sea, stonefish kill their prey using the venom in their spines, but this is not the case – instead, they capture their prey with speed. Stonefish sink in the sand and wait patiently for shrimps or small fish to swim by and then swallow the unsuspecting victim in just a fraction of a second. Despite this incredible speed, they are generally very slow swimmers, except when they hunt.

They can survive for up to 24 hours out of water

Unlike most species of fish, the stonefish is able to survive for up to a full day out of the water, which is an uncommon trait in the deep-sea animal kingdom. This is why you should be extra precaution when walking on beaches, where they’re known to be present – but only in the coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

They can be found at Blue Planet Aquarium

Here’s a bonus fact about the stonefish: you can come and see one up close at Blue Planet Aquarium

Check it out here

Where Can You Find Them?

Often found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Florida down to Brazil, the goliath grouper is also in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, Senegal, Congo, and sometimes even in the Canary Islands.

You will often find this species in shallow and inshore waters at depths of 150 feet. Goliath groupers prefer to congregate in areas of rock, coral, and ocean floors that are sandy and muddy. The goliath grouper is known as one of the few grouper species to be found in mangroves and brackish waters due to its tolerance to low oxygen levels.

Although the species is usually a solitary fish, the goliath grouper can become quite territorial near its homes of caves and wrecks – displaying an open mouth and a quivering body to creatures that are intruding its areas of refuge.

Growing Up

Many groupers are protogynous hermaphrodites. This is where the species first matures as females and then later on matures to become males.
The goliath grouper’s spawning-season happens during the summer months of July, August, and September – it is strongly affected by the lunar cycle. The preferred spawning locations are shipwrecks, rock ledges, and isolated patch reefs, and individuals can travel up to a lengthy 100 miles to spawn.
For spawning to occur, the females release eggs and the males release sperm into open offshore waters where fertilisation begins. The eggs are pelagic and are dispersed by water currents.

What’s for Dinner?

Feeding mainly on crustaceans, fishes, and young sea turtles, here are some of the most common creatures on the goliath grouper’s menu:
Spiny lobsters
Shrimps
Crabs
Stingrays
Parrotfish

The goliath grouper catches its prey through the method of ambushing. Once its prey is caught, the grouper quickly snaps its jaws to capture its prey. Although it has sharp teeth, the goliath grouper actually engulfs and swallows prey whole – its teeth are used for preventing prey from escaping.

Special Traits

The goliath grouper is able to make a distinctive underwater rumbling sound by using muscular contractions of its swim bladder. The sound is made to give off a warning if it feels threatened, and these sounds are believed to be booming sounds of territorial behaviour. Researchers have found that juvenile goliath groupers use the rumbling sound as a way to stun small prey.

If this gentle underwater giant is making you curious to discover the other wonders of our oceans, then grab your tickets now. Don’t forget to let us know when you’re swimming by on Facebook and on Twitter @BluePlanetUK.