There's never really a bad time to visit the Aquarium. But when Arctic winds gnaw on your cheeks and salty sidewalks crackle underfoot, retreating inside to the warm-water tropical exhibits at the Aquarium is divine! Here's just a smattering of the residents to seek out.
Pairs of clownfish in the Living Corals exhibit stake claim on an anemone home.
They's also a pair in the Pacific Reef Community.
There are two mandarinfish in the Living Corals exhibit.
The bluering angelfish is among the larger fish in the Pacific Reef Community.
This resident of the Pacific Reef exhibit has many names: lagoon triggerfish, Picassofish and humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa.
Is there anything more sunny than a yellow tang? Look for these fish in the Pacific Reef exhibit
and the tropical tank across from the shark and ray touch tank.
Anthias are found in the Pacific Reef Community and the vibrant tank across from the shark and ray touch tank.
Our divers have also spotted this species in the wild.
Throughout the New England Aquarium, there are many fashionable animals! Patterns of stripes and polka dots, shimmering scales, graceful fins and swatches of every color of the rainbow can be found in the many exhibits. And the fish that outdoes them all? The mandarinfish!
Native to the tropical Western Pacific Ocean, the mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is found from southwestern Japan to Australia, inhabiting small inshore and protect coral reef systems. At the Aquarium, this fish can be found in the Tropical Gallery swimming among the living coral showing off his fantastic array of colors.
With the mazelike combination of green, orange and blue that was said to evoke images of an Imperial Chinese mandarin (or bureaucrat), this fish is a fashion standout. As he moves around the exhibit, his fins move in a fan-like motion, making his fantastic colors stand out even more!
Those impressive colors also have another meaning for other larger fish in the area. The mandarinfish can secrete toxic mucus designed to keep predators at bay. Those bright colors warn potential predators to stay away or you might get more than a mouthful.
Though the Aquarium has had many different mandarinfish, they are hard to keep as pets in home aquaria. They require special food and care: fortunately, our husbandry staff are great at taking care of them. So come see some bright colors during the gray days of winter!
