Ready to delve into our findings and find out which popular sea creatures at Blue Planet Aquarium have the most relatable personalities? Dip into our research below and find out – you can even take our quiz for yourself at the end!

Our Method

We created a fun quiz filled with questions to find out more about your behaviour and personality traits. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, idle or determined, creative or athletic, your answers will pair you up with the sea creature you’re most like personality-wise.

We then took the answers our participants gave and collected them to give us our results. It’s that simple!

Overview of the different personalities

From gentle stingrays to energetic clownfish, discover each of the distinct personalities of some of the wonderful sea creatures below.

Giant Pacific Octopus

Much like the giant Pacific octopus, you’re a little on the shy side, and consider yourself an introvert. You prefer the night time to mornings, and sometimes only leave the comfort of your home if it involves food! You like to blend into the crowd (some may say you even ‘camouflage’ yourself), and you’re super-intelligent and great at problem-solving.

Stingray

Similar to the stingray, you’re a gentle being who avoids confrontation and are pretty laid back. You can be social but also like having time to yourself, and it’s safe to say you’re not a morning person.

Eel

Much like the Moray Eel, you’re an introvert and consider yourself shy. However, when it comes to working, you’re a team player and work really well with others. You’re not confrontational and you have a unique sense of style.

Clownfish

Just like the clownfish, you’re energetic, confident and have a great imagination. You’re sociable and pride yourself on having a unique style. You are good at problem-solving and thrive in the daytime.

Pufferfish

Much like a pufferfish, you aren’t afraid to stand up for yourself and like to portray yourself as a tough cookie. You prefer to be alone rather than socialise and are more of a night owl than a morning person. Although some may say you’re a little unpredictable, one thing’s for sure, you’re a true romantic!

Piranha

You’re a super social being, just like the red bellied piranha! Despite being a little shy, you love to be around other people – you even like to share your food. You have a unique style and prefer day to night – probably so people can see your fun outfits!

Sand Tiger Shark

Despite what people may think, you are a relaxed and gentle person who’s a little bit shy. You’re athletic and don’t care much for your appearance. You prefer night over day and love a midnight snack. One thing you like to do is travel!

Key findings

So, what were the main findings of our quiz? Are more people similar to eels or clownfish? Or is the giant Pacific octopus the more common personality? Dive into our results below!

Sea Creature Results

First up, almost 1 in 3 (32%) participants’ personalities matched up with the ‘Giant Pacific Octopus’. These people are typically a little on the shy side, prefer night over day, like blending into a crown and are great problem-solvers!

Meanwhile, just under 30% of personalities matched with a ‘Stingray’. Anybody that matches up with this sea creature is a gentle soul who generally avoids confrontation, enjoys being social but also likes time to themselves. Just like the ‘Giant Pacific Octopus’ personality, they’re also night owls.

Just over 1 in 10 participants matched with the personality of an ‘Eel’. The eel personality is more introverted and shy, but that doesn’t stop them from getting stuck into some teamwork. Their sense of style is usually unique, too!

Following closely, slightly less than 1 in 10 of our participants were most similar to our ‘Clownfish’ personality type. The complete opposite of most of our other creatures, these are energetic, confident, social and early risers.

‘Pufferfish’ relate to 6.70% of our quizzers. These creatures aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves, prefer solitude to social settings and are true romantics. They’re also big fans of the night time.

Our second to last most matched personality was the ‘Piranha’, which over 6% of participants were similar to. While these are on the shy side, they also love hanging around with others, have a unique sense of style and prefer working at night time.

The least commonly matched personality was the ‘Sand Tiger Shark’, with only 3.70% of participants being most like these relaxed and gentle creatures. They have a more athletic nature, don’t really care about their appearance and prefer staying up late over waking up early.

Key Personality Traits

Getting into the nitty-gritty, we’ve collected the results on the most common traits of our quiz takers. We have to say – the results are very interesting.

When completing tasks, nearly 4/10 (37.90%) quiz takers would describe themselves as being efficient. Meanwhile, almost a quarter of the participants (24.10%) would say they’re more determined.

A massive 44.40% of participants revealed that they are more of an introvert, and just over 1 in 10 (10.10%) said that they are more extroverted. 45.50% said they are ‘in between’. 

The majority of participants said that their style is to blend into the crowd (39.10%) – this could be because many of our participants describe themselves as introverted. Nearly 3 in 10 people claim that they like to have a unique sense of style (29.20%). 

It was a close call on the question about which time of day the participants prefer! 46.40% of quiz takers claim to be an early bird, compared to the 53.60% who say they are night owls. So, we’ve got more night time people on our hands here.

The majority of quiz takers said they are both social and unsocial (41.80%), while 8/10 participants don’t describe themself as confrontational (82.10%). We’re not surprised considering how few people are more social.

When it came to the best trait, it was much more of a mixed bag. 4/10 said their best trait was their intelligence (40.20%), while 29% would say that their creativity was one of their best traits. Meanwhile, a good majority said their best trait was how fun they are (28.30%).

Key Trait Comparisons

So how do the key traits compare among the quizzers? The key stats are swimming around below…

• Only 3.20% of people said they ‘like to look tough’ when describing their style. However, only 43% of these people who ‘like to look tough’ admitted to being confrontational, whereas the other 57% said they were not.

• Creative individuals appear to be night time people (55%) over morning people (45%), which could be because their best creative ideas come at night time.

• Out of everyone who ‘likes to blend into the crowd’, almost half (49%) said that they are introverted, 46% say they are ‘in between being an introvert and extrovert’ and only 5% would class themself as extroverted.

• 4 in 10 people (40%) who chose their best trait as being ‘fun’ also stated that they are social. 

• 14% of people with a ‘unique style’ are extroverts, 38% are introverted and the majority with 48% are in between. 

• 73% of the people whose best traits involve being athletic are more of a morning person. Could this be because they include a morning workout each day to spark their productivity? We think so!

Take our Quiz

Want to know which sea creature’s personality matches yours best? Take our quiz and find out for yourself!

If all this talk about Eels and Stingrays has you itching to see some incredible sea creatures, then why not plan your next visit to Blue Planet Aquarium? We’re ready when you are!

Sometimes called the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs are home to around 25% of all marine life and provide a number of benefits both to the planet’s biodiversity and the economy. However, coral reefs are also one of the most compelling cases as to the consequences of climate change. In this guide, we’ll answer some of the most important questions about the future of coral reefs, including why they are bleaching.

What are coral reefs and how are they formed?

Coral reefs are incredible to look at, but what exactly are they? You’d be forgiven for thinking they are a plant, but corals are in fact animals. Corals are marine invertebrate animals known as polyps, which makes them closely related to jellyfish and sea anemones. They secrete a rocky exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate, which gives them a hard exterior for protection. They are also a sessile species, which means they are immobile.

Coral reefs begin to form when the free-swimming coral larvae attach to rocks or other objects before they begin to grow and reproduce. Over many years, this secretion creates large structures that reach multiple metres in length, resulting in corals that live together in large colonies. It is these colonies that make up a coral reef. Furthermore, it’s this calcium carbonate that creates the perfect foundation for baby corals to settle on, but the likes of seaweed, sponges and molluscs will also add to the structure of coral reefs. When these organisms die, they became part of that foundation for new coral.

The lifespan of a coral reef

The likes of barrier and atoll reefs are some of the oldest habitats in the world. Corals can grow at various rates and it can depend heavily on the conditions. Growth rates can vary between 0.3-2cm per year for large corals, while branching corals can grow up to 10cm per year. With that in mind, it can take thousands – 10,000 to be precise – of years for a coral reef to form.

Corals need a particular range of conditions in order to grow and thrive. Reef-building corals need a specific temperature of the water, usually between 23-29C, although in some cases they can still survive and tolerate temperatures as low as 20C or as high as 32C. With this in mind, coral reefs are usually found in tropical and semi-tropical water.

Reef-building corals also need help from algae in order to flourish. Known as zooxanthellae, this algae grows and lives inside the corals, providing them with food and energy through the process of photosynthesis. It is actually the zooxanthellae that provides corals with their beautiful colours. In return, the corals provide protection for the algae.

Environmental impact of coral reefs

The main global threat to coral reefs is the increase in the ocean’s temperature, followed by an increasing level of carbon dioxide in the water. Should coral reefs begin to disappear, it would have a devastating effect on marine life. For starters, 25% of marine life would lose its habitat which would be detrimental to the biodiversity of the ocean.

What’s more, coral reefs can provide protection to coastlines and without it, coasts would lose a natural buffer against waves and weathering. This would leave shorelines vulnerable to the likes of erosion and sea levels rising.

What happens when coral reefs suffer?

Environmental changes such as increased ocean temperature, pollution and overexposure to sunlight or extreme low tides can have a negative effect on corals and their reefs.

In the Pacific Ocean, there are 2 distinct climate patterns known as El Niño and La Niña. El Niño in particular can add a further spurt of warmth to the already overheating planet. The onset of this creates weaker easterly winds, allowing warm water to spread back through the Pacific, while La Niña causes the ocean to absorb more heat when the Pacific Ocean is at its coolest. In Australia, these weather events can increase the chance of mass coral bleaching across the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral bleaching occurs when the coral becomes stressed, usually because of increased temperatures and other changes in their environment. When the coral is stressed, they expel the microscopic algae that live amongst them and the colour of the coral will begin to fade to white. This is known as bleaching. Without the zooxanthellae algae, corals become more vulnerable, losing its main source of food and could be more prone to disease.

Once corals are bleached, it’s highly likely that they won’t recover and will eventually die. However, if the coral is able to reclaim its food source, it may begin to recover but it could take up to 10 years to achieve this in full.

What can be done to prevent coral bleaching?

One of the most important ways to reduce and prevent coral bleaching is by slowing down climate change. You can also avoid using pesticides and fertilisers that might end up in the waterways. Some other helpful ways to protect corals are hopefully things you’re doing already – like recycling and conserving water.

You can see corals for yourself, up and close and personal at our Coral Cave exhibit! This exciting and colourful exhibit replicates the reefs that can be found across the Indo-Pacific oceans. Check out our opening times and more on our website to plan your visit.

BRICKLIVE Ocean is an immersive exhibition showcasing a fish-inating collection of hand-built brick statues, made from 1,328,371 plastic bricks that give a fin-sight into the mesmerising world of marine life and life under the ocean wave.

The 25 brick models combine family friendly entertainment with education, with the model collection including octopuses, whales, turtles, crabs, dolphins and sharks (real ones can also be visited at the Aquarium, which is home to one of Europe’s largest shark collections.) You can even learn how to dive in among them, for face-to-face interaction.

As well as the stunning brick models, the exhibition will also feature a range of hands-on activities and challenges for visitors to enjoy. Children and adults alike can get involved at building stations, creating their own ocean-inspired masterpieces.

There’s also a Brick Trail where visitors can explore the aquarium, fact finding while enjoying all the brick creations.

Phil Verbinnen, General Manager of Blue Planet Aquarium, said: “We are incredibly excited to host the BRICKLIVE Ocean Exhibition at Blue Planet Aquarium. This event combines the beauty of marine life with the creativity of learning through play with bricks and offers a unique and educational experience for our visitors.

“We can’t wait to see the joy and wonder on the faces of children and adults alike as they explore this incredible exhibition.”

With plenty more activities and events to do and see this summer, make a splash at Blue Planet Aquarium!

So, without further ado, let’s uncover some of the most interesting facts about tarantulas, including whether they really are dangerous…

There are nearly 1,000 species of tarantula

There are hundreds of species of tarantula – around 900 to be more precise. They live across every continent on the planet except Antarctica, as they prefer tropical and subtropical regions.

Tarantulas can be classified as New World or Old World. New World tarantulas are found in the western hemisphere, which includes North and South America, while Old World tarantulas are typically found across Europe, Africa and Asia. It’s said that Old World tarantulas are much quicker and a lot more irritable!

One of the biggest differences between the two is New World tarantulas have what are known as urticating hairs, which can be used as a defence against predators – but more on this later.

Tarantulas are the largest spiders living on Earth

Tarantulas grow by shedding their old exoskeleton and growing a new one. This moulting process can take a few hours, and will happen several times until they reach full size. In fact, male tarantulas can take 3 to 7 years to grow to their full capacity, while females often taken 4 to 10 years.

The biggest tarantula is the goliath birdeater, found in South America, which can grow to have a leg span of up to 28cm! Despite its powerful name, this species only really eats earthworms and insects.

The average size of a tarantula is 12cm and can weigh up to 85g.

Tarantulas don’t spin webs like other spiders

Tarantulas do produce silk, but they don’t use a web to trap prey like other spiders. As tarantulas typically live in the ground, they use their silk to line their burrows. In some cases, they might spin a line of silk as a trap, creating an alert when something comes near its burrow. Tarantulas may also use webs as part of the mating process.

To catch their dinner, tarantulas trap prey with their legs and inject paralysing venom, before using their fangs. Don’t worry though – this venom isn’t harmful to us humans, and will feel more like a bee sting. After a tarantula has eaten a big meal, it usually doesn’t need to eat for another month!

A tarantula’s diet consists mostly of insects, although they are known to eat the likes of frogs, toads and mice too.

Tarantulas can flick bristles at its predators

So, about those urticating hairs we mentioned earlier. Tarantulas look furry from a distance, but up close you’ll see that these hairs are actually more like bristles known as setae. Some species of tarantulas are able to use these bristles as a defence, flicking them at those that come too close! Around 90% of New World tarantulas have these urticating setae, and can use them to penetrate skin or eyes of would-be attackers.

These bristles form over time, growing a little more every time the tarantula moults and sheds its exoskeleton.

Tarantulas have 8 eyes, but can’t see very well

Just like their legs, tarantulas have 8 eyes but they still rely heavily on other senses and are very sensitive to sounds and vibrations. These eyes have different jobs, with the two largest eyes designed to detect size. Tarantulas have 4 smaller eyes underneath these two, which are used to help determine distance.

A tarantula also has an eye on each side of its head, as it cannot turn round so easily to see. This helps tarantulas have a wider field of vision.

Female tarantulas live longer than males

The lifetime of a tarantula can vary depending on its gender and species, but generally female tarantulas live a lot longer than their male counterpart. Female tarantulas have been known to live up to 30 years!

Male tarantulas do not usually live much longer after they mate, which on average happens when they are around 3-6 years. In some species, the female tarantula might eat her mate after the mating ritual!

So, there you have it! Have you learnt some new facts about tarantulas? Why not check them out in person and put your knowledge into practice at Blue Planet Aquarium, where our new Venom exhibit lets you get up close with these creepy-crawlies!

Before you get you dive in and start working alongside marine wildlife, however, there are hoops to jump through, skills to gain and qualifications to earn. So, to help you on the way and point you in the right direction, here’s our no-nonsense guide on how to become a marine biologist.

This guide will cover:

• What is a marine biologist?
• What does a marine biologist do?
• Why would you want to be a marine biologist?
• What qualifications do I need to be a marine biologist?

What is a marine biologist?

The role of a marine biologist is to study marine animals, plants, and other organisms to gain a deeper understanding of underwater ecosystems. It’s important work, not least in the fight against marine habitat loss and the impact that climate change is continuing to have on all aquatic life.

Of course, there isn’t a singular form of marine biology; the profession has tons of unique offshoots and areas that you may wish to specialise in. Some of the typical roles you might find in the broader field of marine biology include:

• Marine biology researcher or assistant
• Marine biology technical assistant
• Zoologist/aquarist
• Fishery manager
• Marine ecology consultant
• Reef restoration specialist
• Oil spill response expert

It’s not all scuba diving, coasteering and jetting around the world on speed boats, either. Depending on your role, you could just as easily be working behind a desk or in a laboratory – it all depends on your area of expertise and the skills and experiences you gain as part of your studies.

What does a marine biologist do?

Becoming a marine biologist sounds like a very cool job on paper. But what does the role actually look like day to day? And what can you expect to be doing?

Although your responsibilities will be very different depending on the area you end up working in, typical duties might include things like…

• Carrying out risk assessments of prospective coastal and riverside developments, evaluating the impact this could have on local marine life.

• Gathering information from fishermen and local authorities about how particular waterways are used and the types of aquatic animals typically found there.

• Counting and categorising animal species within a particular area to monitor local populations.

• Coordinating large-scale marine restoration projects, particularly in areas threatened by habitat loss due to human interference.

• Analysing samples in a laboratory to report on particular environmental factors and water toxicity levels.

Remember, these are just a few examples of the types of things you may be doing as a marine biologist; your role could look very different should you choose to branch out into a particular field of marine biology.

Why would you want to be a marine biologist?

Are you still umming and ahhing whether to pursue a career as a marine biologist? Perhaps you’re interested but aren’t yet ready to take the leap and fully commit to the profession? That’s perfectly OK, but here are some of the benefits and highlights that could help seal the deal for you…

You’ll get to work with marine animals

Let’s face it: most people become marine biologists for the chance to work with animals, whether that’s fish, birds, or mammals. Granted, you may not get to do that right at the start of your career, but by setting yourself up with the right skills, experience, and qualifications, you’ll be well-placed to work side by side with your favourite species in the future.

You’ll contribute to the fight against climate change and habitat loss

Never before has the field of marine biology been as important. Now, scientists are not only focusing their efforts on learning more about underwater life but also on how to safeguard it for the future. And since marine biology is all about learning how different factors impact marine life, you’ll be very much a part of the ongoing battle against climate change and aquatic habitat loss.

You can expect a varied and challenging career

From the laboratory to the cliff face, the depths of the ocean to the lecture theatre; who knows where your career as a marine biologist will take you! With so many different areas to specialise in and pursue, you can look forward to a wonderful and varied career – and the potential for an adventure or two.

You’ll get to travel

OK, so this benefit isn’t nailed on by any means, but it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that your career as a marine biologist could see you travelling the world. From reef restoration projects in the tropics to species inventory and research work in the polar regions, there’s always the possibility of travel in the field of marine biology, so if that sounds up your alley, it could be the perfect profession for you.

What qualifications do I need to be a marine biologist?

You’ll almost always need a degree to pursue a career as a marine biologist, specifically in a marine biology-related subject. Indeed, if you achieve a general science-related BSc, you may need to sit an additional marine-related postgraduate course to stand any chance of becoming a full-time marine biologist.

Happily, if you decide early on that marine biology is something you’d like to pursue as a career, there are a handful of BSc degree programmes that are well-recognised within the profession. These include marine biology, marine science, oceanography, and coastal ecology, to name but a few.

Of course, your career as a marine researcher and biologist may naturally lead you to pursue other qualifications, with many of the best biologists going on to attain postgrad qualifications and PhDs. There are also a range of other vocational courses that may help your career, including diving skills and boating programmes, while work placements and sandwich courses are also not uncommon within the field of marine biology.

We hope this guide helps you decide if a career in marine biology is right for you – it’s certainly a rewarding and varied proposition. In the meantime, why not pay a visit to Blue Planet Aquarium and meet some of the animals you could be working with in the future? Tap here to book your tickets.

As well as adding colour and variety to the already massive number of species in our waters, they’re massively important to sea life for a few different reasons. From supporting other ocean life to improving the quality of seawater, there’s plenty of exciting information to learn about these incredible creatures.

In this guide, we’ll be answering the question of whether coral is a plant or an animal, alongside giving you some of our favourite exciting and interesting facts about these sea creatures.

Is coral a plant or an animal?

Coral is in fact an animal! Despite looking very much like a plant and being rooted to the ocean floor, they’re classed as Cnidarians and are most closely related to jellyfish and anemones. Due to their lack of spine, they can also be categorised as aquatic invertebrates.

Coral is made up of tiny polyps, which are actually individual sea creatures in their own right. Polyps are very similar in appearance to that of their jellyfish relatives and live in close proximity to one another, forming colonies which allows them to share resources and grow larger. This is how coral reefs are created. Polyps can come in all different shapes, sizes and colours which can cause confusion since they’re almost flower-like in appearance.

But since these creatures have mouths and stomachs, they’re actually more like animals than they might originally seem.

What animals live in coral reefs?

Coral reefs are home to a variety of aquatic creatures, including fish, reptiles, birds, and other mammals. Since there’s plenty of variety in coral reefs and where they tend to live, there’s an equally large biodiversity of creatures that live in and around the structures they create.

Below, we’ll split these off into categories and give you some examples of animals that live in these habitats.

Fish living in coral reefs

Some of the ocean’s most beautiful and exotic fish live in the depths of the waters amongst the coral reefs. Coral reef fish are most likely to enjoy a more tropical climate, but there are some exceptions.

Here are just some of the fish that call coral reefs home:

• Lionfish
• Whale shark
• Manta ray
• Blue tang
• Clownfish
• Sea dragon

At Blue Planet Aquarium, we have plenty of these fish around every corner for you to meet. Head to our Discover page to learn all about our wide variety of coral reef-dwelling fish.

The reptiles contributing to coral reefs

While they’re much less common than fish or other mammals in these parts of the oceans and seas, reptiles like sea turtles and crocodiles are also known to contribute to the dynamic coral reef environment. Just think of ‘Crush’, the giant sea turtle from Finding Nemo!

Other mammals and creatures

Of course, many other exciting creatures of all sizes live and exist in coral reefs. From dolphins and octopus to oysters, clams and crabs – there’s no shortage of variety down in the depths of the waters, that’s for sure!

Facts about coral reefs

Ready to find out what some of our favourite coral reef facts are? Let’s go!

1.     Corals can move

Once coral reaches the adult stage, they’re most likely attached to the ocean floor for the rest of their life. However, corals in the larval or baby stages are free to swim around. Some soft corals, such as mushroom corals, are still able to move around throughout adulthood using a foot to get around.

During reproduction, corals release sperm and eggs into the water. After fertilisation, tiny babies are formed which can swim straight away.

The babies can ride the waves and currents until they discover a new suitable place to live. Once they do, they’ll swim straight down to the bottom of the ocean, attach themselves to the floor and grow into a new coral colony.

2.     Coral supports a quarter of ocean life

Coral provides a home for around 25% of the marine species we’re aware of. That’s a pretty big chunk! They provide homes for many species, alongside protecting coastal areas from erosion or natural disasters.

These creatures also have a mutually beneficial relationship with algae. Tiny algae will live in the coral’s tissues and grow on the polyps because this means that they can photosynthesise and produce food for the coral while also staying safe from predators.

Corals are also pretty important to humans since they benefit modern medicine and help support commercial fisheries.

To find out more about the importance of coral reefs, check out our blog!

3.     Coral reefs are found worldwide

Coral reefs can be found in a huge variety of locations, including in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. They tend to thrive in stronger currents and warmer climates, so this is the most likely place you’ll see them.

Since there are so many species of coral, they can often survive in many conditions. This is mostly due to the fact that they live at the very bottom of the seas and oceans where temperatures tend to be much warmer than at the surface. 

4.     Corals eat plankton & small fish

Coral polyps have stinging cells like jellyfish do to help them catch their food as it floats by. Plankton and some small fish can fall victim to these seemingly innocent tentacles, ending up as part of a coral reef’s diet. However, the majority of their diet consists of photosynthetic algae.

5.     Coral stabilises the seabed

Sand mining can be a serious issue for many underwater creatures. Luckily, the formation of coral reefs means that the seabed can be built back up and prevent massive shifts in the land. 

This helps protect the habitats of the creatures that also live at the bottom of the ocean, such as clownfish. Without a stable seabed, the biodiversity of creatures living in the reefs could be disturbed.

6.     The Great Barrier Reef is the biggest coral reef in the world

You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard about The Great Barrier Reef. Found in the Coral Sea, this massive reef has been thriving just off the north eastern coast of Australia for tens of thousands of years, at the very least.

Since it’s the biggest, it’s no surprise that this reef is home to the most coral species in the world. An estimated 400 types of coral exist here!

7.     They contribute massively to local tourism

Unsurprisingly, these colourful and vibrant creatures tend to draw big crowds. Whether it’s boat trips or scuba divers, millions of people flock to the world’s coral reefs every year just to see them up close and personal. And we don’t blame them really – they are really wonderful to look at!

8.     Climate change threatens corals

Although this isn’t a particularly nice fact, it’s an important one to know. Corals are under threat from climate change, and many species across the world are now on a protected list to help preserve them and prevent extinction.

They can be incredibly sensitive to any changes in the ocean’s temperatures and salinity. When they detect changes, polyps become stressed and lose their vibrant colours, which ultimately prevents them from getting energy from the sun.

This process is known as coral bleaching and can easily kill off a huge colony if they experience significant stress. Coral is also at risk from coral mining, pollution, overfishing and other local threats.

We can all do our bit to help slow the effects of climate change and protect our coral and other sea life. From advocating for environmental policy changes to smaller changes like cleaning up the beaches and always picking up your litter, anything you can do to protect the environment will help.

Here at Blue Planet Aquarium, you’ll find our coral in the Coral Cave as part of our Tropical Exhibit. Plan your visit today to discover the rest of our marine life at the aquarium!

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.

But what exactly is it? Where in the world can you find it? And what sort of fish does it contain?

Get to grips with this undeniable world wonder in our blog about the Great Barrier Reef.

So, what is it exactly?

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. It provides a home for a huge variety of marine life, not to mention over 400 types of coral which aren’t found anywhere else on the planet.

What many people fail to realise about the reef is that this is a living structure. It’s made up of a baffling complex network of living, breathing coral reefs which are so big, colourful and far-reaching, they’re actually visible from space.

That’s not to say the Great Barrier Reef exists just below the water line, however. The site ranges from deep-water corals to sweeping islands and ‘cays’, including the paradise isles of Whitsunday. This makes it one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on Earth, and somewhere you must visit if you ever get the opportunity.

Since 1981, the reef has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that it’s protected from things like development, fishing, and drilling for oil, all of which are proven to have disastrous consequences for marine life and the integrity of underwater ecosystems.

Where is the Great Barrier Reef and how big is it?

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the northeast coast of Australia, around 250 kilometres from Queensland. If you know your maps and fancy looking up precisely where the GBR is, you’ll find the centre of it at around 18° S, 147 °E.

Quite remarkably, the reef extends over an area of around 348,000 kilometres in size – 100,000 more than the United Kingdom. It’s thought to contain over 2,500 individual reefs as well as over 900 islands, making it the single-largest marine ecosystem on the planet by a considerable margin.

From the shallow waters of the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef extends out over a truly vast distance, well beyond the continental shelf. At its deepest, the reef plunges to a depth of 2,000 metres, while many of its islands stand over 1,000 metres above sea level. That means, from its deepest point to its highest, the reef is around the same size as Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.

What species can be found in the Great Barrier Reef?

From the Queensland Coast to Lady Eliot Island and beyond, the GBR is teeming with life, with over 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of molluscs, and 240 seabirds calling the region home (or else migrating through it once a year). So, where to begin when highlighting the massive range of animals that live in the Great Barrier Reef?

For starters, it’s worth noting that the GBR is one of the few places on Earth that supports the dugong, or ‘sea cow’. These gentle, manatee-like creatures are dependent on seagrass meadows, which grow in abundance in the mangrove channels of Hinchinbrook. Their numbers are in decline, which makes the preservation of one of their few natural habitats even more vital.

The reef is also home to the large green turtle, which is among the most endangered of all turtle species. The sad reality is that these beautiful animals are killed for their meat, with the GBR being one of only a few protected sanctuaries where they can live without threat.

Elsewhere, there are thousands of fish of all colours, shapes and sizes living among the GBR’s reefs and islands. Here are a few of our favourites…

Clownfish

That’s right, Nemo lives his best life in the Great Barrier Reef, with the beloved clownfish found in abundance among the Reef’s ‘anemone’ corals. Of course, you can also see these iconic fish a little closer to home at Blue Planet Aquarium.

Regal tang

Oh, look, Dory’s here too! Yes, the recognisable regal tang fish can also be found here, particularly at the seaward edge close to deeper channels. That’s because regal tangs are part of the surgeonfish family, which prefers high-current swimming.

Marlin

You’re unlikely to spot a marlin at the Great Barrier Reef since they’re so fast but believe us, they’re there! These beautiful fish are found in large numbers at the Reef from September to December and can grow remarkably big, with some marlins spotted at the GBR coming in at over 14 feet in length!

Lionfish

Lionfish may be beautiful to look at, but don’t be fooled: they’re among the most venomous fish in our oceans. Of course, that’s what makes them such adept predators, with their spines capable of dealing a deadly blow to both predators and prey. Catch them at the GBR or, if that’s a little too far, right here at Blue Planet Aquarium.

Why is the Great Barrier Reef important?

The Great Barrier Reef is more than just a must-see visitor destination and a natural sanctuary for thousands of marine species. It’s also among the world’s most precious marine habitats, and one that plays a key role in helping to safeguard and protect the surrounding environment.

You see, the complex network of coral reefs at the GBR are essential for maintaining water quality and purification. They also suck up carbon dioxide from the air, making them an integral part of our global fight against climate change.

Have you enjoyed this whistle-stop visit to the Great Barrier Reef? We hope you get to see it for real someday! Until then, Blue Planet Aquarium’s Coral Cave exhibit is the place to discover the beautiful creatures of the GBR. Tap here to plan your next visit.

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