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| The Solomon
Islands include
two parallel chains of more than 900 islands. Guadalcanal, one
of the largest of the islands, is famous for its historic role
in World War II. Relics from the war are evident on land and
underwater. Remnants of shipwrecks allow a somber, yet beautiful,
glimpse into the past. Located approximately 870 miles (1,400
km) east of New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean, the waters
are filled with coral walls, giant clams and bountiful marine
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Giant clams
Giant clams (Tridacna gigas), the
largest of all clam species, can weigh in excess of 300
pounds (136 kg). Due to hunting for food and over-collecting,
these mollusks are now considered a protected species.
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Leather coral
Leather coral (Sarcophyton spp.),
large colonial animals, have hundreds of tiny polyps covering
the surface of their body. The large corals resemble baseball
gloves. Like many other invertebrates, they reproduce
simply by budding, a process by which the offspring grows
from part of the adult tissue and drops from the parent
when fully complete.
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Blond naso tang
The Blond naso tang (Naso lituratus)
can often be seen grazing on algae. This fish is named
for the yellow color of its dorsal fin. Tangs or surgeonfish
are brightly colored, oval-shaped, thin and have a sharp
rising forehead. They have spines ("scalpels"
thus the name surgeonfish) on each side near the point
where the tail meets the body. Used for defense, these
spines can give nasty wounds to other fish. Most tangs
are herbivores.
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Longnose hawkfish
The Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
is easily recognized by its elongated snout and unusual
pattern of red/orange lines on a whitish body. Reaching
up to 5 inches (12 cm) in length, this carnivore can usually
be seen in a perching position, watching for prey. When
a meal is spotted, the hawkfish swoops down and eats its
meal, using "hawk-like" behavior.
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White cap anemonefish
The color of the White cap anemonefish (Amphiprion
leucokranos) ranges between orange and light brown.
They can be identified by the large teardrop-shaped, white
area on top of the head and a single white bar on each
side of the head. The side bars may or may not be connected
to the white area above it. Maximum length is about 3.5
inches (9 cm).
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© Copyright 2002, The Dallas World Aquarium, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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