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RARE BANGGAI FISH ON SHOW AT BRISTOL AQUARIUM

A rare species of fish that is found in only one place in the world is on display at Bristol Aquarium.

Banggai cardinalfish were first discovered in the 1930s living among coral reefs off a series of tiny Indonesian islands.


The tropical fish - which is black and white with long fins - is a species of cardinalfish and is found only around the Banggai islands midway between the Philippines and Australia.

Marine experts at the Harbourside attraction are hoping the new group, which are part of a captive breeding colony at their sister Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth, will eventually also start to reproduce.

Known as mouth brooders, cardinalfish are among the world’s most attentive parents. Following a complex mating ritual the father holds the fertilised eggs in his mouth until they hatch.

Once the young have hatched their fathers spit them out among the spines of a long-spined sea urchin where they will continue to live, without any further parental care but protected by the spines of the urchin.

Their black and white stripes allow them to be perfectly camouflaged amongst the spines of their nursery sea urchin safe from the unwanted attentions of any would-be predators.



Bristol Aquarium’s Hannah Worrall said: “This display helps to highlight the fragility of many marine species and also re-inforce the importance of captive breeding.

“Being confined to a single location makes the entire species vulnerable to extinction.

“We have incorporated long spined urchins into the display and we are cautiously optimistic they will start to reproduce,” she added.

Bristol Aquarium is celebrating their most Fascinating Fish species throughout the month of March. With additional interactive talks and hands on activities during every weekend this month, visitors can learn all about the science behind the sea and its inhabitants.

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