Meet the Inhabitants of the Coral Reefs 🪸
Life in a colorful world
Red-toothed triggerfish.Odonus niger. (2021) by Paulo Beato Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
In the warm and clear tropical waters, we may find the coral reefs, where life multiplies under the most diverse forms and intense colors.
Unidentified coral. (2021) by Paulo Beato Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
Corals, small primitive animals that live in colonies, are the basis of reefs, formed from the successive superposition of limestone skeletons secreted by these animals.
Bluestreak cleaner wrasse cleaning a Coral hind. Labroides dimidiatus. Cephalopholis miniata. (2009) by Comandante Rocha Trindade Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
Coral reefs are normally overpopulated, so their inhabitants have to permanently compete and fight for survival.
We can find curious adaptations and strategic alliances for survival among the reef inhabitants.
Clown anemonefish and anemone. Amphiprion ocellaris. (2015) by Paula Machaz Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The clownfish ( Amphiprion ocellaris
) takes shelter among the tentacles of anemones that offer it protection from predators.
When young, these fish gradually acquire immunity to anemone tentacles due to a protective mucus layer that covers their bodies.
Red Lionfish. Pterois volitans. (2016) by Frederico Cardigos Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Red lionfish ( Pterois volitans ) fins have spiny rays attached to venomous glands but it only uses these spines as a defensive weapon.
It may hunt actively, cornering its prey with the help of its large pectoral fins to swallow them in one sweep.
Longspined porcupinefish. Diodon holocanthus. (2007) by Comandante Rocha Trindade Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
When threatened, the Longspined porcupinefish ( Diodon holocanthus
) quickly swallows water, swelling its body to two or three times its natural size. It then transforms into a balloon full of thorns, frightening predators who dare not attack such thorny prey.
White-banded triggerfish. Rhinecanthus aculeatus (2007) by Comandante Rocha Trindade Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The White-banded triggerfish ( Rhinecanthus aculeatus ) defines vast territories that it defends from other reef inhabitants. It sleeps on its side and makes a snoring sound when it feels threatened.
Copperband butterflyfish. Chelmon rostratus (2007) by Comandante Rocha Trindade Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Copperband butterflyfish ( Chelmon rostratus
) deceives its predators with a false eye on the back of its body, while the real eye is disguised by a vertical band.
When the predator attacks, it is surprised by the fish fleeing in the opposite direction to what he expected.
Palette surgeonfish. Paracanthurus hepatus. (2015) by Paula Machaz Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Palette surgeonfish ( Paracanthurus hepatus
) has two blades in the caudal peduncle that function as a defense or attack weapon when they are positioned perpendicular to the body.
The fish moves then its tail with quick strokes, trying to injure its opponents with its blades.
Coral hind. Cephalopholis miniata. (2007) by Comandante Rocha Trindade Aquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
Visit the Vasco da Gama Aquarium and let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of some of the inhabitants of the coral reefs.
