There are more than 500 species of shark that can be found in today’s oceans. These range from tiny Dwarf Lantern Sharks to huge Whale Sharks, each with their own set of unique characteristics. In this blog, we’ll tell you all about the Japanese Banded Houndshark (Triakis scyllium): where you can find them, how you can spot them and what makes them one of our favourite dorsal-finned friends.

They can grow up to 1.5 metres long

Although they’re not the biggest sharks in the world, an accolade that sits firmly with the massive whale shark, these awesome fish can grow up to 150cm, so still pretty big. The female Japanese Banded Houndsharks are slightly bigger than their male counterparts, reaching their full size between 106cm-117cm after 6-7 years, compared to the males who grow up to 93-103cm. Some individuals have been known to grow up to 150cm.

Japanese Banded Houndsharks have distinctive black rings around their bodies

Banded Houndsharks are known for their distinctive black rings that circle around their slender bodies, which gives them their name. It’s worth nothing that these markings do fade with age. Houndsharks more generally are known for their oval-shaped eyes, two large, spineless dorsal fins, and a single anal fin.

Like most sharks, the Japanese Banded Houndshark has five gill slits on either side of its body.

Be sure to be on the lookout for this beautiful creature when you visit Coral Seas at Bristol Aquarium.

They are typically bottom dwellers

Similar to a typical moody teenager, Banded Houndsharks are solitary and largely nocturnal, meaning they sleep through the day and are active at night. During the night, they tend to stick near structures and the ocean floor, at depths of about 150m, to avoid larger fish that might target them as prey. This means they are known as bottom dwellers.

They are primarily solitary animals, although they have been known to come together with there is an abundance of food. They also have a funny habit of piling on top of each other on the sea floor, particularly when they are resting.

Banded Houndsharks are ovoviviparous

Most species of shark give birth to live young, but the Houndsharks give birth through the process of ovoviviparity. This means their young are formed from eggs, which are carried inside the mother to provide extra safety from potential predators. The egg will hatch inside the mother who can then give birth to the live young.

In one litter, Houndsharks can lay up to 42 pups! Houndshark pups take between 9 and 12 months to fully grow inside their mother. If you think 42 sounds like a lot of babies, some other species of shark like blue sharks can give birth to more than a hundred at once!

You’ll find Banded Houndsharks off the coast of Japan

The clue really is in the name as to where you’ll find the Japanese Banded Houndshark! They live in the North-Western section of the Pacific Ocean close to places like Japan, China, Korea and even Southern Russia.

Sharks can be found throughout the whole world in saltwater (oceans and seas), although some species call rivers and lakes their home such as bull sharks and, funnily enough, river sharks.

In the UK, you’re unlikely to see a houndshark, but you will see smooth-hound sharks which are in the same family! This species is often found off the coast of the UK. There are over 20 shark species that call the UK their home including the Lesser Spotted Catshark – which you can also see here at Bristol Aquarium!

Banded Houndsharks are considered endangered

According to the IUCN Red List, Banded Houndsharks are considered endangered. Their numbers in the wild are decreasing mainly due to bycatching – accidental catching of fish. However, there is a growing market for shark fins for dishes such as shark fin soup, which is popular in Chinese cuisine.

Because sharks are apex predators, their population decreasing can have a drastic impact on the wider health of the marine ecosystem because other populations are not kept in check.

Those were just some of the incredible facts about Banded Hound Sharks. We hope we’ve helped to reveal a little bit more about these incredible sharks and to know that there is more to them than just what you see in the movies. If you’d like to learn more about these animals, you can book your tickets and ask one of our trainers down at Bristol Aquarium.

But before you meet the mighty stone bass, it’s worth finding out a few facts about it. After all, it’s always good to be able to recognise the fish you’re gawking at, not to mention impress your friends and family with your knowledge of the various species on display.

So, what do you need to know about the Atlantic wreckfish? Here are15 facts to commit to memory ahead of your trip to Bristol Aquarium.

1. Atlantic wreckfish live among caves and shipwrecks. Hence their name! In fact, even the moniker “stone bass” is derived from the fact that these fish love living among rocks and stones on the seafloor.

2. Stone bass grow over two metres long! That’s right – these are the real big boys of the ocean floor, with Atlantic wreckfish recorded at lengths in excess of two metres. That might go some way to explaining our next fact…

3. Fully grown Atlantic wreckfish have no known predators. Yep, wreckfish of this size are simply too formidable a target for most of the ocean’s top predators, so they’re generally left alone. They are, of course, preyed upon when they’re young, hence why they swim in shoals until they reach a certain age and size.

4. Wreckfish can live nearly 100 years. That means there’s every chance that the stone bass you see at Bristol Aquarium will be older than you! With no natural predators, these cold-water swimmers live extraordinarily long lives, typically up to the mid-90s and sometimes beyond.

5. Atlantic Wreckfish are what’s called a “bathydemersal” species. That means they spend most of their lives at a depth of around 200 metres.

6. Adult stone bass weigh a staggering 100kg. To put that into perspective, it’s roughly the same weight as a newborn baby elephant!

7. Despite their name, the Atlantic isn’t the only place you’ll find this species of wreckfish. In fact, they range across several oceans, including the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian. This makes sense given that stone bass are oceanodromous – the science-y term for migratory.

8. Atlantic wreckfish are solitary swimmers. They spend much of their adult lives alone, but do congregate in large groups during the summer breeding season.

9. Stone bass have a fairly varied diet. They typically feed on fellow bottom-dwellers like fish, cuttlefish, squid, and other large crustaceans, but have also been known to devour octopuses and sharks.

10. They’re super-opportunistic hunters. That’s right, the Atlantic wreckfish will take a meal anywhere it can get it. Thanks to their huge mouths, these fish are able to swallow their prey whole, which is handy when you typically eat on the fly.

11. Atlantic wreckfish are part of the ‘Polyprionidae’ family. The name, which applies to several species of wreckfish, is derived from the Greek ‘poly’ meaning ‘many’ and ‘prion’ meaning ‘saw’. This last part is in reference to the fish’s distinctive fins, which appear sharp and spiny.

12. They may not look it, but stone bass are very colourful. Sure, they might look bog-standard at first glance, but take a closer look and there are all sorts of hues running through their sturdy scales. For instance, their backs and flanks appear dark brown in colour, while their underbellies are yellow. However, in a certain light, they appear bluish-grey, with a silvery sheen that’s difficult to miss.

13. Atlantic wreckfish numbers aren’t currently threatened. That’s according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, concerns have been raised about their numbers in the Mediterranean, where overfishing is taking a toll on migratory stone bass populations.

14. The stone bass is a common fixture of the UK coastline. It’s found all around Britain and Ireland, although it’s rarely encountered by anglers due to the deep water in which it dwells.

15. Atlantic wreckfish may be solitary, but they’re very curious about humans. Yes, it’s a little-known fact, but wreckfish are surprisingly inquisitive and have been recorded approaching divers in the wild. Even here at Bristol Aquarium, our stone bass have been known to swim close to the glass, so you can expect an up-close encounter.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this whistle-stop introduction to the impressive Atlantic wreckfish. To see this formidable specimen in the flesh, along with hundreds of other fascinating marine animals, book your tickets to Bristol Aquarium today.

You see, when a ship sinks to the ocean floor, it doesn’t take long for nature to take over. Fish, crustaceans, coral, and anemones quickly move in, transforming wrecks into artificial reefs on the seabed.

So, exactly what kind of animals are you likely to find in sunken ships? And why are these hulking wrecks such a hit with marine life on the seafloor?

Here, we’re taking a closer look at the myriad of species that make a home in shipwrecks, along with why these unique man-made habitats are so invaluable to the creatures that live in and around them.

Why are sunken shipwrecks such a mecca for marine life?

Shipwrecks may seem like the most unlikely of places to find marine life on the seafloor. After all, sunken ships are known to cause widespread damage to underwater ecosystems, both from the initial impact of hitting the seabed and the long-term effects of pollution and corrosion.

Despite this, marine creatures and plant life love them. Whether just off the UK coast or in the bowels of the Atlantic Ocean, shipwrecks teem with animals, plants, and anemones of every persuasion, to the point where they’ve become some of the world’s most invaluable marine habitats

So, why is this? Well, there are several reasons that biologists are happy to agree on, including:

• Wrecks are the perfect solid substrate for coral growth: Typically, coral grows on rock, which is the ideal solid substrate needed for the creature to flourish. Wrecks mimic this habitat, resulting in the development of artificial reefs that attract a wide array of life.

• Spores, spawn, and larvae cling to sunken ships: In an otherwise barren environment, the spawn of animals and plants cling to shipwrecks for shelter, feeding on nutrients from the surrounding coral and plant life.

• Predators and prey use shipwrecks for shelter: While some fish species seek refuge in sunken ships, predators use their shadowy enclaves to ambush their prey. Indeed, some of the biggest fish in our oceans, including the mighty goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) and fearsome great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) have been observed using shipwrecks as a vantage point from which to spring a trap on their unsuspecting prey.

• Shipwrecks offer a warmer feeding ground away from the cold seafloor: The seabed is the coldest part of the ocean, so surviving here requires lots of energy and near-continuous feeding. Since they’re elevated off the seafloor and teeming with life, wrecks offer a warmer, more sheltered place for animals to feed.

Which animals live in shipwrecks?

As we’ve established, a surprising variety of life lives in sunken shipwrecks – far too many animals to list in a single blog post, in fact. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at a few of our favourite wreck-dwelling species, some of which are on display in our specially curated Sunken Shipwreck exhibit here at Bristol Aquarium.

1.   Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

With its grey, white and black scales and sharp, protruding teeth, it’s easy to see where the Atlantic wolffish got its name. Native to the North Atlantic Ocean, this bottom-dwelling species is no stranger to shipwrecks, where it can often be found feeding on green crabs and sea urchins.

Fun fact: The Atlantic wolffish produces a natural form of antifreeze, which it uses to keep its blood flowing in the extremely cold and hostile depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

2.    European spider crab (Maja squinado)

The European spider crab may be migratory, but it spends much of its life in and among reef systems – including ones that grow on shipwrecks. Young spider crabs are known to live among shallow-lying shipwrecks at a depth of around four metres, while mature animals often retreat to the shelter of sunken ships when moulting.

Fun fact: When migrating, the European spider crab is known to cover around 100 miles in eight months.

3.   Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Since they’re a pelagic species, the magical moon jellyfish has little say over where the tide takes them. Often, ocean currents lead them to shipwrecks, where they subsequently congregate in large numbers. Growing up to 40cm, these beautiful creatures are a regular fixture of sunken shipwrecks around the UK coastline.

Fun fact: Moon jellyfish feed on everything from small molluscs to plankton, drawing their food into their bodies for digestion.

That’s just a handful of the incredible species that can be found living among sunken shipwrecks at the bottom of the ocean floor. To learn more about the wonderful world of wrecks and the unique habitats they provide, why not join us with a visit to Bristol Aquarium? Get your tickets here.

They may not be the most attractive sea creatures, but eels are incredibly diverse and have some really interesting features. So, let’s learn a little bit more…

Is an eel a fish?

As eels have an appearance closer to a snake or a worm, you’d be mistaken for thinking that these animals aren’t a fish at all – but you’d be wrong! Eels (Anguilliformes) are fish, with gills and a singular fin. They are mostly freshwater fish, but some species are also found in saltwater.

Eels can range from just a few centimetres long, to up to over 3 metres long. The longest known eel is the Slender Giant Moray eel, measuring just under 4 metres, while the heaviest eel is the European conger coming in at around 72kg. Their elongated, wormlike bodies have no pelvic fin, but they do have a continuous dorsal, anal and caudal fin.

Eels differ from traditional fish in that eels have no scales – instead, their body is covered in a protective mucus layer than can also hold water. This allows eels to breathe on dry land for a few hours, which might happen in a dry spell.

Eels have rows of razor sharp teeth, and can vary in colour depending on species. Some are grey and black, while others can be much more colourful.

How many species of eel are there?

Eels are incredibly diverse, with over 800 species! This is broken down into 19 families, which includes general eels as well as moray eels and conger eels. Each of these types differ slightly – for example, moray eels have small, rounded gill openings and generally lack pectoral fins. Moray eels also have two sets of jaws! Conger eels have more vertebrae than the common eel, and their upper and lower jaws are the same length. In a common eel, the lower jaw projects from the upper.

Some of the families of eels include:

• Freshwater eels (Anguillidae) such as the European eel
• Conger eels (Congridae) such as the European and American congers
• Moray eels (Muraenidae) such as the Giant moray eel and Honeycomb moray eel

You can see the Honeycomb moray eel for yourself here at Bristol Aquarium, which get their name from their white-yellow body with black spots.

You’ll be surprised to know that the electric eel isn’t actually part of the eel family at all – it’s a species of knifefish!

Habits and lifecycle of an eel

Eels begin their life as leptocephalus (larva) which are flat and transparent. They enter an extended larval phase, which can last between 4-12 months, before undergoing a rapid metamorphosis to a juvenile stage. A juvenile eel is just a smaller version of the adult. Maturity is reaching after around 10 years in freshwater eels, but it might be earlier in tropical species. When a freshwater eel reaches sexual maturity, it will return to the ocean to spawn and then pass away.

With this in mind, eels are catadromous, which means they are born in the ocean but then spend most of their life in rivers and streams, only to return to the oceans to spawn and finish their life. Eels are also nocturnal, feeding at night but hiding under rocks, logs and mud at the bottom of the water during the daytime.

Eels are typically solitary during their juvenile and adult lives, but there are some instances where they might be seen in groups. For example, garden eels live in vast colonies of several hundred in tropical reef areas. Some will live alone but may hunt in packs.

Interestingly, eels can swim backwards! They move by generating waves that travel the length of their body, which is very similar to a snake. They then simply reverse this movement to swim backwards, which they might do in order to search for their prey.

What do eels eat?

Eels are predatory and follow a carnivorous diet. They typically eat smaller fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, shrimp, crab and sea urchins. Some will also eat insect larvae, and other species of eel are known to be cannibals!

Eels do have some predators, including larger fish and seabirds such as herons. Some mammals will also eat eels including racoons and humans. Eel is a popular item in many Japanese restaurants, although only some parts of the eel are safe to eat.

Why not plan your visit to Bristol Aquarium and come see our collection of Honeycomb moray eels for yourself? Check out our opening times and show off your new knowledge to your friends and family!

If you want to see these so-called ferocious fish up close and personal, our Edge of the Rainforest exhibit can help you understand piranhas and get to know them a little better. But don’t worry – you’ll be perfectly safe!

Piranhas are native to South America

Piranhas are freshwater fish, which means they spend the majority of their lives in fresh water such as lakes and rivers. Other freshwater fish include Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout and minnow, and they typically face threats from human activity like overfishing and pollution.

Piranhas are commonly found in the Amazon River, specifically the Amazon basin that covers an area of around 35% of South America. They are non-migratory which means they will not travel around and typically stay in one area. In comparison, salmon will migrate up river to breed in a safer environment.

Piranhas typically grow up to 25cm

The size of piranhas can vary depending on species, but you’d be forgiven for thinking they are huge, given their fearsome reputation. Typically, piranhas will grow to around 5-10 inches (12-25cm). However, the red-bellied piranhas (Pygocentrus nattereri) can grow slightly bigger, with some known to reach around 35-40cm.

In most cases, they weigh less than 2 pounds (0.9kg), however some of the bigger species can weigh just over 3kg.

They have a diverse range of patterns and colours, including the red-bellied piranha which has shimmering silver scales and red-orange underbelly – they really are quite eye-catching creatures, even with the sharp teeth!

These so-called terrifying fish actually live in protective packs

You may think that piranhas swim in large groups as a form of effective attack, but it is, in fact, the opposite. Piranhas can live in protective packs of up to 1,000 fish as a form of self-defence. This is because they are the perfect meal for other river dwellers such as caimans, river dolphins, turtles, birds and even otters!

Piranhas shed and regrow their teeth

Piranha literally translates to ‘tooth fish’ in the Brazilian language of Tupi, and it couldn’t be a more fitting name for these creatures. It’s a piranha’s teeth that gives the species such a mistaken preconception, with around 10 razor sharp 4mm teeth per jaw. The pronounced underbite means that the bottom set of teeth is nearly always on show.

The interlocking teeth are so sharp they can bite through bones, and throughout the piranha’s life they will lose teeth like many other fish. However, the piranha will replace its teeth in sections. It takes approximately 100 days for a piranha to replace its whole set of teeth, and they will go through the process for their entire lifetime.

With that in mind, many of you will no doubt have one question on your mind – can piranhas eat people? The truth is, piranhas will only really eat human flesh if it’s desperate, or if the person is already dead. In some cases piranhas been known to bite people, but typically it only happens if the fish feels threatened.

Piranhas are omnivores

Despite its reputation as a flesh-eating creature, the piranha is omnivorous which means they eat a mix of plants and animals. In fact, some species of piranha are even vegetarian. A typical diet for the piranha includes seeds, insects and fish. Younger piranhas may feed on crustaceans, while some adult piranhas have been found with fragments of birds and snakes in their stomachs.

In some cases, piranhas may also feast on the fins nipped from the tails of larger fish.

Some piranhas can bark

Piranhas are actually quite good communicators, and researchers have identified three different calls. In most cases, these calls were made when piranhas were in a confrontation of some kind – as if it were telling its companion or enemy to go away, or issuing a threat.

They make these noises by contracting and expanding their swim bladder, which keeps them afloat, and grinding their teeth. As the waters of the Amazon basin are quite murky, barking is another way for the piranhas to let others know about food sources and approaching predators.

So, there you have it! Those scary, sharp-toothed piranhas are actually very interesting, with some fascinating features and characteristics. Go and check them out for yourself at Edge of the Rainforest, simply book online!

Whether you know very little about these sea animals or are a self-proclaimed octopus expert, we’re here to shed some light on how they move, what holds up their insides and their unique skeletal structures. We promise it’s nowhere near as gruesome as it sounds!

Do octopuses have bones?

Octopuses belong to the invertebrate family and don’t have any actual bones in their bodies. Now, this might leave you scratching your head and wondering how they survive without bones of any kind. But the answer to this question is actually much simpler than you might think.

These incredible sea creatures have adapted over the millions of years they’ve been around and have developed something called a hydrostatic skeleton, which we’ll explain in more detail below.

What is a hydrostatic skeleton & how does it work?

You might have heard of other skeleton types like endoskeletons and exoskeletons, but what about the less common hydrostatic skeleton?

A hydrostatic skeleton means that the creature has a fluid-filled muscle system instead of hard, dense bones. This fluid is what allows the creature to move and ensures its body remains well supported. Without this, their bodies risk collapsing under their own weight and their muscle movements would be severely impaired.

While it works similarly to a regular skeleton system by supporting the body, the main reason for their lack of bones is that they’re generally not needed for the creature to live a full and healthy life. In the case of the octopus, the water pressure is more than enough to support their body and the muscles (often referred to as hydrostats) still allow them to move as they need to.

Plus, the unusual skeleton means that they can squeeze into places and gaps that other creatures with bones wouldn’t be able to. Not only can this help protect them from predators and poachers, but it also means they’re able to hunt in unexpected places. The skeleton is an exciting evolutionary development, but it’s one that not many know about!

How do octopuses move?

As you’ll probably know, an octopus has eight arms. But you might not know that each of these is packed with incredibly strong muscles. Without carrying all the weight of hard bones around, they benefit from added buoyancy which helps allow them to easily float around the oceans and seas. Octopuses also have siphons which can shoot jets of water to help propel them through the water quicker.

Their movements are much more flexible and fluid because of their skeletal structures, which sets them apart from many other sea creatures – even those with exoskeletons on the outside of their bodies!

However, they haven’t always been this way. Like molluscs, the earliest known octopuses from around 140 million years ago were covered by a hard shell. They then evolved over time and the shell disappeared because it wasn’t a necessity. So clever!

Which other sea creatures have a hydrostatic skeleton?

Animals with hydrostatic skeletons admittedly aren’t the most common. But like the octopus, there are a few other boneless creatures in our waters and even on land. These include well-known animals like jellyfish, flatworms, nematodes and earthworms.

You can usually spot them from their more unusual appearances since many of these creatures are see-through in appearance. The clue is that if you can see through their body and there aren’t any visible bones, it’s more than likely that they’re propped up by a hydrostatic skeleton.

One of the most interesting things to note is that these creatures don’t usually have any teeth either, since these are classed as bones.

How does a hydrostatic skeleton benefit these marine creatures?

There are a variety of ways the creatures with this type of skeleton benefit from this development. Below we’ll glide through our list of the main advantages…

• They can squeeze into extremely small places thanks to a lack of rigid bone structures in their bodies
• Creatures without dense bones are much more lightweight which allows for more flexible, quicker movements
• Although they can’t use bones for leveraging strength, they can get into small spaces and expand their bodies to pry things open or even squash their prey to suffocate them
• Their healing time is significantly reduced because the fluid in their bodies can quickly regenerate, unlike bones which usually take longer to mend

Check out our website to book your tickets to meet the largest species of octopus and learn even more interesting facts about our sea creatures.

There are loads of different areas of conservation, but they all have the same goal in mind – preserving as much of Earth’s natural resources as possible.

So, what is conservation?

We tend to take a lot of Earth’s natural resources for granted – it’s easy to think that because something has always been there, that it always will be. But the world is delicately balanced, and all our actions impact our surroundings and the Earth’s resources in different ways. Unfortunately, protecting and preserving these resources hasn’t always been at the forefront of everyone’s minds – particularly if there’s a chance to make a little profit.

However, there are an increasing number of individuals, groups, organisations and collectives that are actively fighting against the damage caused and the loss of natural resources. And, this is conservation – the proactive approach to conserving the Earth’s natural resources.

There are a number of different types of conservation, typically related to one or more of the different groupings of the Earth’s natural resources – air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation groups and activists aim to ensure these resources survive long enough for future generations to experience and enjoy.

There are many different forms of conservation action – from political lobbying to captivity breeding programmes. These can be used to overturn potentially harmful laws, or protect an endangered species from going extinct. All forms of conservation are equally important, as they contribute to the Earth’s delicate ecosystem.

Why is it so important that kids learn about conservation?

Whilst we have a long way to go to get our conservation efforts to the level required, there’s loads of information and guidance out there. However, perhaps even more important than teaching ourselves about conservation, we’ve got to make sure that the next generation is armed with everything they need to know about conservation and taking care of the planet.

That’s why we’ve put together our top tips for teaching kids about conservation, here:

There are loads more things you can do with or without the kids, too. We’ve put together a few guides in the past that are brilliant for helping you make your own little difference to the world. Check them out here:

• How to reduce your carbon footprint
• Going ‘Zero Waste’ – reduce, reuse, recycle

What is wildlife conservation?

This is one of the areas of conservation we’re well-versed in here at Bristol Aquarium, and something we’re incredibly passionate about. Wildlife numbers are constantly at threat from over-farming, climate change and habitat loss – and, as such, some species come perilously close to coming extinct.

Like many wildlife-focused conservation efforts, we believe in the important role that captive breeding plays in conserving at-risk species. If an animal’s natural habitat has been interrupted and damaged to the extent that their survival is in doubt, it is vital that an intervention is staged to immediately secure the future of the species, and then plans to repopulate the wild are put in place.

Species of hamster, beaver, stork and lynx are just a few examples of animals which have come super close to going extinct, only for a conservation effort to salvage their numbers and reintegrate them into the wild.

The long-term goal of any wildlife conservation effort is to bring animals back to the habitat in which they thrived, and protect both the beast and the habitat.

And, if you’d like to see captive breeding in action, why not pay us a visit at Bristol Aquarium, where you’ll be able to see the animals thriving, and speak to our team of friendly and knowledgeable experts.

Massive, majestic, mighty – few superlatives do justice to the magnificent whale shark. These colossal animals are, as you may already know, the largest species of fish in our seas. But aside from sheer size, what else do you need to know about them?

That’s what we’re here to find out. We’ve pieced together a comprehensive fact file on whale sharks, so you can get the measure of these awesome animals.

Your ultimate whale shark fact file

Keen to find out all there is to know about these gilled giants of the sea? We’ve answered every question that matters about the mighty whale shark, so you can get to know these beautiful beasts up close and personal.

How big is a whale shark?

Whale sharks are the largest fish in our oceans, with fully grown adults measuring in at a whopping 12 metres on average – about the length of a double-decker bus! There are thought to be bigger animals out there, however, with unconfirmed reports of some star-backed whale sharks growing up to 20 metres in length.

Of course, all that length means that whale sharks weigh a considerable amount too – over 11 tonnes, in fact. That’s equivalent to around seven cars, a fact that really puts the sheer size and scale of these fantastically large fish into perspective.

What do whale sharks eat?

Don’t worry, humans aren’t on the menu for these gentle giants, which is good news since their mouths can open up to four feet wide! Whale sharks are actually filter feeders who use their powerful gill rakers and suction filters to draw in small prey, before leaving the rest of the work to their surprisingly small teeth.

Whale sharks love to eat small fish, plankton and shrimp, and do so at a rate of around 20 kilograms a day. Though solitary in nature, whale sharks can often be seen feeding together, with large schools of fish bringing lots of sharks into a single area for a feeding frenzy that has to be seen to be believed.

Where do whale sharks live?

Whale sharks prefer warmer waters, so are found exclusively in the tropics, specifically between latitudes 30°N and 35°S. They’re particularly common in Southeast Asia, where they live among the deep lagoons, reefs and atolls of coral reef systems.

Although they don’t need to come up for air like their comparably sized whale counterparts, whale sharks are typically shallow water swimmers, so are easily spotted from fishing and tourist boats. They’re also naturally inquisitive and gentle, so can regularly be seen approaching boats – presumably in search of food.

Are whale sharks endangered?

Sadly, and despite renewed efforts to restore their numbers, whale sharks are now classed as endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Their population has declined steeply in recent years, with current estimates suggesting that only 200,000 or so remain in our oceans.

To put what “endangered” means into perspective; it’s only two tiers away from extinct. That means whale shark populations face an existential threat of disappearing altogether, in spite of several high-profile initiatives to protect their numbers from further decline.

So, what threats do whale sharks face? Let’s take a closer look:

• Demand for their meat, fins and oil: Yes, the sad reality is that whale sharks are still in high demand for the natural resources they contain, including meat, fins and oil. That’s despite a blanket international ban on hunting whale sharks, which some illicit traders seem happy to flout.

• Bycatch from the fishing industry: One of the biggest threats whale sharks face, though, is the fishing industry at large. Each year, hundreds of whale sharks become entangled in fishing gear through no fault of their own, a problem which ultimately results in their demise.

• Whale shark tourism: Thanks to their larger-than-life characters and sheer scale – not to mention the show they put on when feeding in large groups – whale sharks are among the most popular species to see on tourist trips in Southeast Asia and beyond. And while the intentions of such expeditions may be positive, they are having an inadvertent negative effect on whale shark numbers. That’s because they interrupt whale shark feeding patterns, causing a food scarcity that can lead to starvation.

What is being done to protect whale sharks?

The WWF, along with several other marine conservation organisations, are doing much to protect and restore whale shark populations. Their numbers are being monitored by cameras, sonar and satellites in the Coral Triangle – a designated region of the Pacific Ocean with a high proportion of whale sharks – while individual animals are also tagged to keep tabs on their distribution and patterns of behaviour.

Whale sharks vs… find out how whale sharks compare to our resident species

Did you know that Bristol Aquarium is home to no fewer than seven species of shark? Pretty cool, right?

But how do our residents stack up against the mighty whale shark? Let’s take a look by pitting them together in a head-to-head comparison.

Of course, size isn’t everything, and if our shark collection reveals anything it’s the huge diversity of sharks to be found in our seas and oceans.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this deep-dive journey into the wonderful world of the mighty whale shark. While we can’t promise you’ll get to see a whale shark here at Bristol Aquarium, there are plenty of other fascinating marine creatures on display, so tap here to book your tickets today.

Few movies – especially animated ones – capture the beauty of our seas and oceans quite like Finding Nemo. This 2003 Disney classic did an outstanding job of showcasing the colour and diversity of the world’s underwater habitats, along with all the beautiful creatures that live within them.

Of course, some of the marine animals portrayed in Finding Nemo stole the show more than others. The lovable clownfish, for example, is now regarded as one of the world’s most popular tropical fish thanks to the film’s titular character, while the regal tang, Moorish idol and royal gramma also saw their popularity skyrocket thanks to the much-loved Pixar film.

Now, two decades on from Finding Nemo’s original release, we’re taking a look back at this iconic flick to discover the fish that found their way to the silver screen – many of which you can see right here at Bristol Aquarium!

Clownfish – Nemo and Marlin

Where else to begin our odyssey through the fish of Finding Nemo than with Nemo himself? Nemo and his anxious pa, Marlin, are depicted as clownfish in the film, and given just how cute these little guys are in real life, we’d say this was a perfect choice.

Clownfish are small tropical fish that belong to the Pomacentridae species family. They’re almost always found living among anemones in coral reef systems, which is why Marlin is so keen for Nemo to stay close to home in the film. Come say hello to Marl’ and son in the flesh at Bristol Aquarium’s Coral Seas exhibit.

Regal Tang – Dory

Next is the regal tang or ‘DORY!’ as the species is known to most children who walk through the doors of Bristol Aquarium. Yes, this iconic blue, black and yellow fish depicts Marlin’s lovable sidekick in the Finding Nemo franchise, voiced wonderfully by none other than US talk show royalty, Ellen DeGeneres.

In real life, we’re pleased to report that the regal tang (or blue tang as they’re also known) aren’t characterised by their forgetfulness Instead, they’re solitary, peaceful fish that can become aggressive if they feel their territory is at risk.

Bonus fact: Remarkably, for a relatively small fish, the blue tang can live up to 20 years!

Starfish – Peach

Starfish have long captured the imagination and have been depicted on the big screen hundreds of times. Perhaps the most famous outing for this unique species, however, was in Finding Nemo, with ‘Peach’ the starfish appearing alongside a handful of other tropical fish in the dentist’s office fish tank.

Much like Peach, common starfish don’t move often, but when they do it’s mainly to hunt molluscs – not spy on the comings and goings of dentists and their staff! To get around, starfish rely on tiny tube-like feet all over their bodies, which help propel them along at a frankly glacial pace.

Bonus fact: Most starfish can regenerate their limbs if they fall off or are bitten off by a predator.

Seahorse – Sheldon

Seahorses have a naturally cheeky and curious persona, so it makes sense that they were chosen to depict Sheldon – a spirited young seahorse that leads Nemo close to the “drop-off” along with their other school friends at the start of the movie.

In reality, seahorses aren’t very strong swimmers, so it’s unlikely that you’d find them attempting anything as dangerous as Sheldon’s exploits. They are, however, masters of camouflage, and their eyes can move independently from one another, much like a chameleon. You can see big-bellied seahorses in the Learning Lab exhibit at Bristol Aquarium.

Bonus fact: Some seahorse species are native to the UK, including the short-snouted seahorse and the long-snouted, or spiny, seahorse.

Butterflyfish – Tad

Given that Nemo and Marlin live on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s likely that they share their anemone home with dozens of butterflyfish, including the beautiful longnose butterflyfish that appears as the character Tad in the Pixar movie. Tad is a young fish that befriends Nemo at the start of the film, accompanying him and Sheldon on their adventure to the drop-off.

Butterflyfish like Tad are found in their droves in tropical seas, from the Western Atlantic to the Caribbean and beyond. The longnose has – you guessed it – an unusually long snout, which is perfect for feeding among the tight crevices of its reef bed home.

Bonus fact: There are over 100 species of butterflyfish, some of which you can see at Bristol Aquarium!

Spotted Eagle Ray – Mr Ray

It’s difficult to argue with Pixar’s decision to base Nemo’s teacher, Mr Ray, on the spotted eagle ray. These large, graceful, and intelligent fish are found in tropical, temperate waters from India to Australia, so it’s plausible that one could spend its time teaching the reef-dwelling youngsters of the Great Barrier Reef.

In reality, the spotted eagle ray is a shy, gentle species which is very wary of divers. The fish, like many rays, have a venomous tail spine, and typically swim in open water in groups of around 50-100 animals. While we don’t have any spotted eagles at Bristol, visitors can see their close relatives like the common stingray, painted rays, cownose rays, thornback rays, and undulate rays.

Bonus fact: The largest spotted eagle ray ever discovered had a ‘wingspan’ of over five metres.

Moorish Idol – Gill

Grumpy Gill lives with Nemo in the dentist’s fish tank in Finding Nemo, and though initially sceptical of the young fish’s bid for freedom, he soon comes to his senses. Throughout the film, Gill and his “Tank Gang” are seen making several escape attempts, though none are successful until Nemo comes along.

In the wild, Moorish idols mate for life and live on coral reefs. Being diurnal, they spend their days hunting for food before returning to the bottom of the reef after sunset. It’s fitting that Gill shows an element of aggression in Finding Nemo, since male Moorish idols are known to do so to protect their mate.

Bonus fact: The name Moorish idol comes from the “Moors” of Africa, who believe that the fish symbolises happiness.

Royal Gramma – Gurgle

Like Gill, royal gramma fish Gurgle lives in the dentist’s office, though he has a much different take on the notion of freedom than his fellow tank mates. And this makes sense given that the royal gramma species is known for being super peaceful and chill, and unlikely to go looking for trouble unless it finds them.

The royal gramma is among the most colourful fish of the tropics, its body displaying a spectacular spectrum of hues from yellow to purple and back again. Typically, they’re found in the western Atlantic and prefer to live in caves as opposed to reefs.

Bonus fact: Royal gramma are known as parasitic fish, meaning they eat small parasites off the bodies of larger animals.

Pufferfish – Bloat

A fitting name for a pufferfish, Bloat is one of the main members of the Tank Gang in Finding Nemo, serving as the host at many of the gang’s regular events. When confronted, Bloat expands into a large, spiky ball, much like pufferfish in real life.

Unlike Bloat, however, pufferfish don’t tend to blow up through anger. Instead, it’s purely a defence mechanism, deployed when they feel threatened by a nearby predator. And since they’re usually covered in spikes, a fully armed and inflated pufferfish is a difficult proposition for even the hungriest foes.

Keen to see remarkable creatures just like Bloat? Head to the Coral Seas exhibit at Bristol Aquarium where you’ll find beautiful examples of Piper and King Edward pufferfish.

Bonus fact: Some species of pufferfish are among the most poisonous animals on Earth, second only to the poison dart frog.

Great White Shark – Bruce

Let’s face it: no sea-based movie would be complete without a great white shark, so Finding Nemo creators had to get one in somewhere. Enter Bruce, a formidable GWS whose outward appearance disguises the fact he’s the leader of the “Fish-Friendly Sharks Support Group” – a band of sharks that share the motto “fish are friends, not food”.

Of course, in reality, fish most definitely are food for the great white, with the species reportedly consuming an average of 11 tons of their fellow sea dwellers every year. Great white sharks typically live in relatively shallow waters, ranging from the US Pacific to the shores of Australia.

Bonus fact: A large great white can weigh up to two tons, about the equivalent of a small hatchback car.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this magical tour through the beautiful species depicted in Finding Nemo. Remember, many of the fish seen on the silver screen can be found at Bristol Aquarium, so tap here to plan your visit for a special up-close encounter.

Whether you’re admiring the rays or the sharks, there’s a scientific name attached to each and every aquarium animal. Below, we’ll let you in on the secrets behind why they’re used and where they came from, along with giving you some fun examples.

Why do they have scientific names?

Scientific names aren’t there just for marine biologists to show off their knowledge about the animals. So, what’s the point of using them?

Well, the first and most important reason is that scientific names are universal. No matter what country you’re in or what language you speak, the scientific name always stays the same.

This helps keep confusion to a minimum when identifying and talking about marine life. After all, the scientists specialising in marine life live all over the world and they’ll need to talk to each other about the same things, so it only makes sense to create universal terms. So, while the animals do still have names we recognise, their scientific names serve a very important purpose in the science and marine biology worlds.

Another big reason they’re used is because it means we can’t judge an animal based on appearance. Some species might look very similar but have different characteristics. For example, our rays might all seem to look the same, but Cownose Rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are very different to Blonde Rays (Raja brachyura). From their head shape to their size, there are a few defining features setting them apart, but the scientific names can really help with telling them apart. The scientific name makes it much easier to spot which is which, which can be super important for finding out which species are endangered or might need help.

Where did these scientific names come from?

The scientific words originate from Latin and Greek, which is probably why they’ll make very little sense to most people. These ancient languages have given us loads of modern-day words you’d be surprised about like video, circle and even dinosaur. So, when it comes to marine life, we can also thank these centuries-old languages for helping us to identify the marine life swimming in our oceans, seas, and aquariums today!

What do they look like?

The names themselves are nearly always split into two. The first part is referred to as the genus, which is the name classifying the animal. The second part then tells us which species the animal belongs to. These two parts combine to make up the full scientific name.

When they’re written down, the scientific names are often written in italics to help differentiate between the common name and the scientific one. We write ours in brackets to make it extra clear. The first word should also start with a capital letter, while the second should start with a lowercase letter.

No two sea animals will be given the same scientific name. Although they might share one part of their name, the other part will be different so that they end up with a completely unique name. For example, some sharks have the same genus, such as the Bull Huss Shark and the Lesser Spotted Cat Shark. Both sharks share the Scyliorhinus genus but have different species names. This means that the Lesser Spotted Cat Shark is left with Scyliorhinus Canicula as its scientific name, while the Bull Huss Shark is identified as Scyliorhinus stellaris.

Are some animals only known by their scientific name?

There are a few animals that are only known by their scientific name, including Anemones. This just means that the common name and the scientific name match up, making it quite easy to remember.

This is referred to as a tautonym, which just means that they have the same name for their genus and species. Sometimes this will still be written out twice, as it is with Bream fish which are referred to as Boops boops. This is one of our favourites because it’s so fun to say! Another example is the Smooth-Hound Shark, which has the scientific name Mustelus mustelus. Most of the time though, it’ll only be written out once, giving these creatures a one-word scientific name.

In some rare cases, there might be a three-word scientific name. For example, our Red-Eared Slider reptile has the scientific name Trachemys scripta elegans. This happens when there is a species and a sub-species that the creature belongs to. A handful of our freshwater marine animals have these longer names, so look out for them on your next visit!

Our aquatic animals and their scientific names

Ready to learn some more scientific names for the aquatic animals at Bristol Aquarium? Check out our quick list including the common names and scientific names of each one below!

Sharks

• Smooth-Hound Shark – Mustelus mustelus
• Lesser Spotted Cat Shark – Scyliorhinus canicular
• Bull Huss Shark – Scyliorhinus stellaris
• Port Jackson Shark – Heterodontus portusjacksoni
• Japanese Banded Hound Shark – Triakis scyllium
• Arabian Carpet Shark – Chiloscyllium arabicum

Rays and Skates

• Common Stingray – Dasyatis pastinaca
• Painted Ray – Raja microocellata
• Blonde Ray – Raja brachyura
• Cownose Ray – Rhinoptera bonasus

Native Species

• Sea Bass – Dicentrarchus labrax
• Gilthead Sea Bream – Sparus aurata
• Short Snouted Seahorses – Hippocampus hippocampus
• Cuckoo Wrasse – Labrus mixtus
• Common Starfish – Asterias rubens
• Atlantic Wreckfish – Polyprion americanus

Fresh Water Species

• Red Bellied Piranha – Pygocentrus nattereri
• Black Pacu – Colossoma macropomum
• Red Pacu – Piaractus brachypomus
• Red-Eared Slider – Trachemys scripta elegans
• Mississippi Map Turtle – Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni
• Blind Cave Fish – Astyanax mexicanus
• Malawi Cichlids – Cichlidae

Tropical Species

• Giant Grouper – Epinephelus lanceolatus
• Honeycomb Moray Eel – Gymnothorax favagineus
• Red Lionfish – Pterois volitans
• Cownose Ray – Rhinoptera bonasus
• Big-Bellied Seahorses – Hippocampus abdominalis

Invertebrates

• Anemones – Anemones

Think you know your scientific names? Try our fun quiz to find out just how good you are at identifying which names belong to which sea creatures here at Bristol Aquarium!

Discover all the aquatic animals that call Bristol Aquarium home, along with their scientific names here. And while you’re at it, why not book your tickets and visit us?