Fiji



Japanese swallowtail angelfish, Genicanthus semifasciatus

The males and females of all swallowtail angels differ in color, but in this case, the difference is so extreme that the male was given the species’ scientific name in 1934, while the female was described as “Holacanthus fuscosus” in 1970. Only aquarium observations confirmed they were the same species. In Japan, this species is found only in Okinawa and “The Seven Islands of Izu” (of which there are actually around a dozen). It is also found off Taiwan and the Philippines.

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Magnificent sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica

The Magnificent sea anemone, also call the Radianthus or Ritteri anemone for its previous name Radianthus ritteri, is one of the largest and most beautiful of the sea anemones and is a popular host for many species of clownfish. It can reach a size of about three feet in diameter. It is found in coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea to Samoa. Although popular in the aquarium hobby, it has very specialized lighting and flow requirements and is known to move throughout the aquarium looking for its particular niche.

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Pink skunk clownfish, Amphiprion perideraion

The Pink skunk clownfish is named for its pink coloration and the narrow white head band and white dorsal stripe. It is a coral reef dweller often associated with the Magnificent sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica. It is found in the tropical Western Pacific from the Philippines to Japan and Micronesia to Australia and Samoa. It is a hardy species that breeds readily in an aquarium environment.

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Barred spinefoot, Siganus doliatus

The Barred spinefoot, or Rabbitfish, is named for its striped coloration and its rabbit-like grazing behavior. Like other members of its family, the Barred spinefoot is herbivorous and its mouth is designed especially for removing algae from the rocks or coral branches. The upper jaw is fixed and only the tip of the mouth can move, creating a nibbling action. The Barred spinefoot is found in very shallow water in the Western Pacific, living most of its life at depths of less than ten feet.

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Spinefoot foxface, Siganus uspi

The Spinefoot foxface, or Bicolor foxface is a member of the Rabbitfish family, Siganidae. It is found in the Western Pacific and is endemic to the Fiji Islands. Like other foxfaces, the Spinefoot foxface has venomous dorsal spines. By nature, foxfaces are herbivores and can be seen grazing on algae growing amongst their coral reef habitat.

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Tomato clownfish, Amphiprion frenatus

The Tomato clownfish is named for its bright red coloration, which can vary in shade from burnt orange to tomato red. They are one of the larger clownfish species, and can be one of the most aggressive. Females are generally larger than the males, and clownfish have the ability to change sex from male to female. In the Fiji exhibit, Tomato clowns frequently lay eggs, usually on the underside of a rock, and just underneath the safety of a large anemone.

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Lyretail anthias, Pseudanthias squamipinnis

The Lyretail anthias, also known as the Scalefin anthias, is found in the Indo-West Pacific, often in large aggregations. The brightly colored pink males and orange females can be seen feeding on zooplankton throughout the day. Like other members of the Serranidae family, the Lyretail anthias is hermaphroditic. Males choose a harem of females with which to mate. In the absence of a male, the dominant female will become a male. In this case, the female’s orange coloration will change to pink and her dorsal fin will become more ornate.

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