SEA SNAKES - AQWA€¦ · Sea snakes are ocean reptiles. Like other reptiles they have scales, breathe air and can’t control their body temperature! Sea snakes also have a forked

91 Southside Drive, Hillarys WA 6025 (08) 9447 7500 www.aqwa.com.au

R E A L R E P T I L E S

Sea snakes are ocean reptiles. Like other reptiles they have scales, breathe air and can’t control their body temperature! Sea snakes also have a forked tongue, no eyelids and no legs.

L I F E I N T H E S E A

Sea snakes subfamily name Hydrophiidae means “water lovers”

Sea snakes can stay under water for up to two hours and dive to depths of 100m! This is thanks to a lung that is nearly as long as their whole body!

They have a gland under their tongue that gets rid of extra salt and will shed their skin every 3 weeks - much more often than a land snake. This keeps their body clean enabling sea snakes to absorb some extra oxygen through their skin.

FA N G S F I L L E D W I T H D E A D LY V E N O M

Packed into the syringe like fangs of a sea snake is venom 2-10 times more powerful than a cobra’s. Sharp fine teeth grip their food until it can be injected with venom. The venom is powerful and quick acting to ensure that their prey can’t escape. While venom is used to capture prey it is rarely used in defence.

B I G B I T E

Sea snakes swallow their food whole. To do this, they dislocate their jaws, sliding each jaw sideways while their skin stretches.

S H A P E D L I K E A B O AT

To help them move easily through the water sea snakes have; small and narrow scales, a long thin body shaped like the keel of a boat and a flattened, paddle-like tail.

SEA SNAKES FA M I LY - E L A P I D A E S U B FA M I LY - H Y D R O P H I I N A E

D I D Y O U K N O W ?

There are over 50 different species of sea snakes in the world, and 24 species of these can be found in the warm waters of Western Australia.

W H E R E AT A Q W A?

Come face to fang with this deadly creature in AQWA’s DANGERZONE!

S I Z E : < 2 7 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , F I S H E G G S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : B I R D S , S H A R K S , L A R G E F I S H , E E L S

H A B I TAT: S H A L LO W W AT E R H A B I TAT S

F O U N D : I N D I A N & PA C I F I C O C E A N S ( M A I N LY A U S T R A L A A N D N E W G U I N E A )


W AT E R F R U I T S ?

Seacucumbers are named because just like the cucumber fruit, they have a tube shaped body which is full of water.

Seacucumbers pump water in and out of their body to give it shape and have the unique ability to escape by liquefy their skin and pour themselves to safety. This unique ability is thanks to “catch collagen” a protein that easily switches between soft or hard.

They have no brain, breathe through their bottom and send chemical signals through the water to contact each other. What sea cucumbers do have is feet – hundreds and hundreds of them! Lined with rows of tiny feet sea cucumbers use them to eat, sense light, move and stick to rocks.

F O OT I N M O U T H

Seacucumbers eat with their feet! To feed they bring out their feet which are covered in slime. The slime traps tiny food floating in the water or collects it from the sand as the seacucumber crawls along the sea floor.

O C E A N E A R T H W O R M S

Seacucumbers are a key part of the oceans recycling system breaking down scraps into particles small enough for bacteria to eat.

G U T I N S T I N C T

Seacucumbers can squirt out their guts to defend themselves. The sticky mass of threads can entangle and confuse predators, stopping any further attacks. The seacucumber then grows its guts back!

For protections and rigidity seacucumbers also have a millions of tiny pieces of chalk scattered underneath their skin. Called ossicles they come in amazing shapes such as wheels and anchors. Ossicles are also found in starfish and seaurchins to which seacucumbers are related!

SEACUCUMBERS C L A S S : H O LOT H U R O I D E A


There is a fish that lives in the bottom of a seacucumber! The pearl fish sneaks inside when sea cucmber breathes and then hides out where no predator would think to look!


Discover what a seacucumber feels like at our Touch Pool.

S I Z E : <3 0 0 C M

D I E T : P L A N K TO N , A LG A E , D E T R I T U S , I N V E R T E B R AT E S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : C R A B S , T U R T L E S , F I S H , S TA R F I S H , C R U S TA C E A N S

H A B I TAT: S E A F LO O R

F O U N D : W O R L D W I D E


P E N C I L S A N D C H A L K

The slate pencil sea urchin is recognised by its large, stout spines. These tapered spines were once collected and used as pencils on slateboards, before chalk and chalkboards were common.

L O C K A N D K E Y

The pencil urchin’s spines can be up to 8cm in length and are longest on the upper side for protection, while shorter on the under side near the mouth to allow easy access to food. Each spine can turn in a circle, alike our knees.

These flexible spines can be folded down so the urchin can crawl into small crevices. When the urchin finds a secure hiding place, the spines pop back up and smaller ‘spinlets’ fold in to hold the spine in place. Once all spines are ‘locked’ in position, predators can’t pull the urchin out!

W H AT ’ S T H E P O I N T ?

There is a very similar species that lives on the east coast however it is smaller and it spinelets are broad and scale-like rather then thing and pointed.

A R I S T O T L E ’ S L A N T E R N

Sea urchins emerge from their hiding spots at night to feed. They have a round jaw lined with 5 spikey teeth that scrape down rocks to remove encrusting animals and plants, like sponges and algae. This unique jaw and tooth system is known as “Aristotle’s lantern”, named after the famous Greek scientist and philosopher. Aristotle described the jaw structure of sea urchins as appearing ‘like a lantern’ over 2,000 years ago!

T E S T T U B E S

The internal shell of an urchin is known as a ‘test’ and is made of 5 bony plates coverered in little bumps called tubercles, in which the spines are mounted. Alike their cousins the starfish, sea urchins are also covered in hundreds of tube feet, through which water flows to allow the urchin to taste, move and breathe!

W E S T E R N S L AT E P E N C I L S E A U R C H I NP H Y L L A C A N T H U S I R R E G U L A R I S


Sea urchins belong to the same group of animals as starfish. They are both made of chalk and water and have a body made up of 5 equal segments.

W H E R E AT A Q W A ?

Hold a sea urchin in your hand and discover what it feels like at AQWA’s Touch Pool.

S I Z E : < 1 1 C M

D I E T : H E R B I V O R E

M A I N P R E D AT O R : C R A B S , B I R D S , S H A R K S , E E L S , T R I G G E R F I S H ,

H A B I TAT : 1 - 2 0 M R O C K Y R E E F

F O U N D : W E S T & S O U T H E R N A U S T R A L I A O N LY


A S T I N G R AY W I T H N O S T I N G ?

Stingrays are a type of ray, however not all rays are stingrays. Fiddler rays alike electric rays, manta rays and sawfish don’t have a barb.

The characteristics that all rays share are; a skeleton of cartilage, flattened body, side fins that merge with their body and gills underneath their bodies, not on the sides.

Rays are closely related to sharks and fiddler rays almost look like sharks with their rough skin, shark like tail and shark-like swimming style.

S W I M M I N G S T Y L E S

Fiddler rays swish their shark like tails from side to side while other rays flap their wings or wave their side fins in an undulating motion.

S A F E T Y F E AT U R E S

The Southern Fiddler Ray has a characteristic pattern of 3 short bold stripes behind its eyes. A pattern of dark-edged bands continues along their body and these ornate markings camouflage perfectly with the ripples in the sand and the filtered rays of sunlight that reach the shallow sea floor. Fiddler rays have thorn like scales, powerful jaws filled with small blunt crushing teeth

Baby fiddler rays hatch from eggs, however to keep them safe mum keeps the eggs inside her body until they born. The pups take 4-5 months to develop however their growth is then ‘paused’ so that they are born in autumn.

A U S S I E A U S S I E A U S S I E

There are two species of fiddler rays and all of them are only found in Australia! The eastern and southern fiddler rays are very similar with only their range and patterns telling them apart.

WOW! On the east coast the 3 stripes behind their eyes form a triangle!

SOUTHERN FIDDLER RAYT R YG O N O R R H I N A D U M E R I L I I

D I D Y O U K N O W ?Baby sharks and rays are called pups!

Fiddler rays get their nickname from their guitar-like shape.


Gently touch a fiddler ray at AQWA’s Touch Pool!

S I Z E : < 1 5 0 C M

D I E T : S M A L L F I S H , S H E L L F I S H , I N V E R T E B R AT E S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : S H A R K S , F I S H

H A B I TAT: C O A S TA L S A N D F L AT S & S E A G R A S S B E D S

F O U N D : A U S T R A L I A O N LY ! F R O M W A TO TA S M A N I A


S P I N Y S K I N N E D

Starfish belong to a group of animals called ‘Echinoderms’ which means spiny skinned (‘echino’- spiny and ‘derm’-skin). Their body is covered in plates which can be large or small, soft or spiky. These plates give the starfish’s body strength, but are also flexible, unlike hard bones. This helps them to twist and turn their body’s to fit into small spaces, or turn over if they are flipped upside-down.

F L AT W I T H A R M S

Starfish have a flattened body with 5 or more arms extending from a central disc. They are made of water and chalk with no bones, blood, heart, brain or ears. Starfish have an ‘eye’ and a nose at the tip of each arm, their feet are on their arms, their mouth is under their body and their bottom is on top!

H U N D R E D S O F F E E T

Beneath each arm, starfish have rows of up to 200 ‘tube feet’. To move, starfish pump water in and out of their tube feet. Feet come in different shapes and each shape is suited to where the starfish lives. To cling tightly to rocks, some starfish have suckers on the end of their feet. Starfish that live in the sand have pointed feet to help them dig and burry themselves.

U N I Q U E E AT E R S

To eat mussels and oysters, starfish use their tube feet to open the shells. They then push their stomach out of their body and into the shell. Once it has soaked up its food the starfish pulls its stomach back in!

A L L S H A P E S A N D S I Z E S A N D H A B I TAT S B U T O N LY T H E S E A

There are at least 1,600 species of starfish and they all live in the ocean.

STARFISHC L A S S : A S T E R O I D E A

D I D Y O U K N O W ?Starfish can weigh up to 5kg and live for 35 years or even indefinitly due to their amazing powers of regeneration. If a starfish loses an arm, it re-grows. They can even regrow their body from an arm!


Gently touch a starfish at AQWA’s Touch Pool!

S I Z E : < 1 0 0 C M

D I E T : C A R N I V E R O U S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : F I S H , S H A R K S , R AY S OT H E R S TA R F I S H

H A B I TAT: A L L T Y P E S O F S E A F LO O R

F O U N D : A L L O C E A N S T R O P I C A L O R C O L D & F R O M T H E S H O R E TO T H E D E E P S E A .


S T I N G I N T H E TA I L !

Stingrays have a barbed, venomous spine located on their tail. Stingrays don’t attack with their ‘sting’, but if provoked will use their barb out of defence. To do this, they raise their tail up and then flick it like a whip, causing their barb to pierce anything in close range. Stings are painful, but usually not fatal.

F L AT S H A R K?

A close relative of the shark, stingrays have skeletons composed of cartilage. They are distinguished from sharks by a flattened body, which varies from circular to diamond-like in shape.

The largest stingrays in the world are the smooth stingrays and they can reach 4m in length and weigh over 350kg! Comparatively, stingarees are a family of tiny stingrays, with some reaching just 30cm.

D A I LY G R I N D

Stingrays have flat grinding teeth like a fine-toothed comb, which they use to crush food such as crabs, mussels and squid. A stingray’s mouth is underneath its body, helping it to slurp up food from the sea floor!

F LY I N G F O R W A R D S O R W A V I N G B A C K W A R D S

To propel themselves through the water stingrays such as eagle rays ‘flap’ their fins like a bird. Other stingrays, such as the smooth ray, move their fins in a wave –like motion and can swim backwards!

H I D E A N D S E E K

You can find stingrays in warm s hallow water. They spend most of their time near the sea floor and will hide buried underneath the sand. In Perth, you are most likely to see stingrays in shallow coastal areas. Shuffling your feet as you wade in the water will give any stingrays hidden nearby, enought warning to swim away.

S T I N G R AY SO R D E R : B AT O I D E A

D I D Y O U K N O W ?A group of stingrays is called a ‘fever’ .

Many stingrays like to live by themselves but will gather together for feeding, breeding and migration.


Search for stingrays in our Shipwreck Coast, Far North, Perth Coast and outdoor exhibits

S I Z E : < 4 0 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , C R A B S , P R A W N S , M U S S E L S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : S H A R K S , S E A L S , S E A L I O N S

H A B I TAT: S H A L LO W S E A F LO O R < 6 0 M

F O U N D : W O R L D W I D E - T R O P I C A L , S U B T R O P I C A L


D O W N I S U P !

Why swim when you can rest on the sea floor and have your food provided? These flat bodied jellyfish rest upside-down on the sea floor, their 8 feeding arms floating above. This unusual position provides them with an alternative way of feeding and explains their scientific name; According to legend the Greek goddess Cassiopea annoyed the sea god Poseidon and was placed among the stars, upside down, as punishment.

S U N S H I N E A N D S L I M E

Instead of firing their stinging cells alike harpoons, these jellies ooze a venom packed slime that traps and paralyses prey. Their constant pulsing creates a current drawing food towards the arms which are covered in tiny mouths!

Most importantly being flipped upside down enables them to host zooxanthellae. Alike with corals this algae provides upside-down jellyfish with up to 90% of their nutritional needs in return for a safe, sunlit place to live.

W I N W I N

Upside-down jellyfish don’t just have a beneficial relationship with algae - they have also struck up partnerships with crabs and prawns. Carrying upside down jellyfish on their backs, gives decorator crabs a defensive ‘shield’ and upside-down jellyfish free transport to new feeding grounds. While little prawns seek protection, clearing the jellyfish of parasites as they hide amongst the arms.

N A P T I M E

When their pulse rate lessens these jellies are said to be in a ‘sleep state ‘.

T O O M U C H O F A G O O D T H I N G

Upside-down jellyfish are rarely found alone. Occassionally blooms occur, decreasing oxygen and shifting the structure of the food chain.

U P S I D E - D O W N J E L LY F I S HC A S S I O P E A S P.


Upside- down jellyfish can absorb copper and zinc! Scientists hope to find new ways of cleaning up industrial pollution by studying how they do it!


Entrance Aquarium - These are the first sea creatures you will encounter on your underwater journey along WA’s amazing coastline.

S I Z E : < 3 0 C M

D I E T : Z O O P L A N K T O N

M A I N P R E D AT O R :F I S H , T U R T L E S

H A B I TAT : S H E LT E R E D C O A S TA L A R E A S , M A N G R O V E S

F O U N D : T R O P I C A L I N D O - PA C I F I C , H A W A I I , C A R I B B E A N , S O U T H E R N F L O R I D A


S W I M M I N G H O R S E S ?

Seahorses are fish! Covered in bony plates of scales they have a tail that can curl and eyes that can move independently. The West Australian Seahorse has stripes on its snout, it varies in colour from brown, white, red, orange to purple and can change colour slowly.

S E A H O R S E S S U C K !

Seahorses use their long straw-like mouths to suck up small crustaceans. They have no teeth and swallow the shrimp whole. Seahorses eat throughout the day as they cannot store food in their stomach for long.

A Q U AT I C D A N C E R S

Seahorses may be the slowest fish in the ocean but they can swim forwards, backwards, upwards and downwards. They have two sets of fins instead of 5, and can beat their fins up to 70 times per second.

LO V E S T O R Y

Seahorses keep the same partner and will choose someone the same size. When courting and mating, seahorses dance together, synchronizing their movements and linking their tails to whirl around in unison. When their waltz is done, it is the male that takes the eggs and becomes pregnant! The eggs attach to the lining of his pouch. He nourishes them, giving birth 2-3 weeks later to 200 - 720 babies!

S E A S O N A L H O M E S

In early summer, the West Australian Seahorse congregates in the lower reaches of the Swan River. This is when many crustaceans are spawning, providing lots of food for their young. Then in winter they move to deeper water.

WEST AUSTRALIAN SEAHORSE H I P P O C A M P U S S U B E LO N G AT U S


Seahorses get their scientific name from their 2 key features: a horse shaped head (Ippos = horse) and curved tail (Kampe = curved).


Magnify a seahorse in AQWA’s Creatures Up Close exhibit.

S I Z E : < 2 5 C M

D I E T : Z O O P L A N K TO N

M A I N P R E D ATO R : F I S H , C A R B S , R AY S

H A B I TAT: M U D D Y, S I LT Y S E A F LO O R I N S H E LT E R E D B AY S

F O U N D : O N LY F O U N D I N W A - C A P E L E E U W I N TO S H A R K B AY


F LY I N G F I N S

Batfish are named for their over sized dorsal and anal fins that resemble the webbed wings of bats. These fins are especially large in juveniles, who can be more than 3 times as tall as they are wide!

Their genus name Platax comes from the Greek work platys, meaning ‘flat’, describing their very narrow bodies.

Y O U N G T R I C K S T E R S

Young batfish are known to trick predators by swimming on their side. Their extremely flat bodies and long fins help them to disguise as a drifting leaf, or even less appealing, a toxic flatworm! As they float in the currents they form loose schools with other juveniles.

O C E A N E X P LO R E R S

Batfish are ocean explorers found in a variety of habitats. Juveniles drift beneath seaweed patches while adults are found in shallow fringing reefs, offshore coral atolls or investigating shipwrecks in water up to 70m deep!

W A V E S O R W A V E S

Bats use sound waves to locate food while batfish use waves in the water to find theirs! Fish feel movements in the water through rows of cells along their body called lateral lines. The batfish’s body is so thin that their lateral line often bulges out!

M O O N FA C E

The roundface batfish is the largest of the family reaching lengths of 70cm. It is distinguished from similar species by its moon-like face, dusky yellow pelvic fins and a dark patch under its side fins.


Four of the world’s 5 species of Batfish can be found in WA!

One species, the orbicular batfish, follows turtles around ready to eat their poo!


Look for Batfish as you relax in AQWA’s Marina Bay ampitheatre.

S I Z E : < 7 0 C M

D I E T : P L A N K TO N , A LG A E , B E N T H I C I N V E R T E B R AT E S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : U N K N O W N H A B I TAT: R E E FF O U N D : T R O P I C A L I N D O - W E S T PA C I F I C

ROUNDFACE BATFISH P L ATA X T E I R A


A H O L E LOT O F R E A S O N S

The scientific name of the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, means ‘pored crocodile’. ‘Porosus’ refers to the tiny pores found all over a crocodile’s skull and jaws. The pores in the skull help to reduce the weight of the skull without reducing its power. The pores also have blood vessels that connect to sensory bumps that detect changes in water pressure- such as prey swimming.

O L D E R T H A N D I N O S A U R S !

Crocodiles are the world’s largest reptiles and have been around for over 200 million years! The Saltwater crocodile is the largest crocodile in the world. It may grow to 7m long, weigh over 1000kgs and live for over 75 years.

T H E C R O C O D I L E R O L L

Crocodiles grab their prey and move to deep water, where they repeatedly roll to try and drown or break the neck of the prey. Instead of chewing their food they swallow it in large chunks. To break down their chunky food, crocodiles swallow rocks! The rocks help to grind up the food in their stomach, getting more nutrients out of it. Crocodiles eat a variety of food such as small mammals, birds, fish and even cattle.

I T ’ S A L L I N T H E TA I L

The tail makes up half of a saltwater crocodiles body! When swimming the muscular tail thrusts from side to side to propel them through the water. The tail is also used to store fat! They can live off their stockpile of tail fat for up to 2 years!

F R E S H W AT E R S A LT I E S

Although they are named ‘Saltwater’ crocodiles, they can be found 240km upstream in fresh water.

SALTWATER CROCODILE C R O C O DY L U S P O R O S U S


The temperature of a crocodile’s nest determines if boys or girls are born! If the nest is less than 30°C the hatchlings will all be female. If the above 32°C they will all be males.


Smile at a baby crocodile in AQWA’s Far North

S I Z E : < 7 0 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , B I R D S , M A M M A L S ,

M A I N P R E D ATO R ( W H E N Y O U N G ) M O N I TO R L I Z A R D S , S N A K E S , E A G L E S

H A B I TAT: C O A S TA L A R E A S A N D R I V E R S

F O U N D : S O U T H E A S T A S I A , N O R T H E R N A U S T R A L I A , I N D I A


N O S E Y B Y N A M E

The sandbar whaler’s scientific name Carcharhinus means ‘sharpened nose’, describing its torpedo shaped snout. The species name, plumbeus, is Latin for lead; this refers to the sandbar’s overall grey to bronze colour.

Their sandbar nickname comes from their their characteristic behaviours of living in sandy bays and swimming along the continental slope, skimming the bottom for prey.

D O U B L E E D G E D

The sandbar has two different types of teeth lining its jaws; slender, pointed teeth in the bottom jaw that swipe slippery prey, and triangular serrated teeth in the top jaw that cut and tear their food into smaller pieces.

TA L L A N D FA S T

The triangular dorsal fin in sandbars backs is unusually tall for their size; this fin aids in stability at high speeds, making the sandbar a balanced, fast mover.

C O A S TA L C R U I S E R S

Sandbar whalers are highly migratory, travelling thousands of kilometers each year. They spend their entire first year in a nursery ground, then begin a pattern of summers in the nursery and winter in warmer waters up north. Females follow this pattern through out their lives, travelling alone and returning to have their young every 2 years. Adult males travel in large schools and follow the warm water up and down our coast but they never returning to the nursery.

A G E L E V E L

Populations of sandbar whalers are structured by depth. Females tend to live in the top 30m, teenagers between 73-109m and mature mates below 110m!

S A N D B A R W H A L E RC A R C H A R H I N U S P L U M B E U S


The east and west coast populations of sandbar whalers never meet!


Are sandbar whalers the fastest sharks at AQWA? SEA for yourself in our Shipwreck Coast (Underwater tunnel) exhibit area.

S I Z E : < 2 4 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , R AY S , C R A B S , O C T O P U S

M A I N P R E D AT O R : T I G E R S H A R K

H A B I TAT : C O A S TA L - P E L A G I C , < 2 8 0 M D E E P

F O U N D : T R O P I C A L A N D W A R M T E M P E R AT E O C E A N S


“ W E A R E O N E , B U T W E A R E M A N Y ”

The name sardine refers to over 20 different types of simular looking fish. Sardines are small, silvery fish with a single short dorsal fin, no lateral line, and no scales on their head. Their long tapered body shape is perfect for quick evasive swimming and pursuit of prey.

Sardines live in dense schools, migrating along the coast and feeding on plankton. By staying together, a school of sardines appears as one large object, if predators come close there is safety in numbers and when its time to mate - there are plenty close by.

I T S A L L I N M Y H E A D

Most fish have a line along their body that detects movement and vibrations in the water, helping to navigate, follow the path of prey and keep their position in a school - but not sardines. Instead of a single line these fish have clusters of pressure sensing pores on their head. As sardines are experts at schooling this alternative design must give them a competitive edge.

C A U G H T Y O U !

Pelagic fish don’t have cracks or crevices to hide in, instead, they hide behind one another to form a ‘bait ball’. This shape allows for maximum protection by exposing the least number of fish to danger. The way sardines tightly pack themselves together (and are tightly packed into cans) has created the saying “packed like sardines” . This describes situations where people or objects are crowded closely together. Sardines is also the name of a children’s game, where one person hides and each successive person who finds the hidden one packs into the same space until only one is left out.

S M A L L B U T M I G H T Y

Sardines are the basis for ocean food chains that support giants like whales, seals and sharks. They’re packed full of essential nutrients and are one of the most important food fishes in the world providing a vital source of healthy, affordable protein for small communities as well as large commercial fisheries.

S C A L E Y M AC K E R A L - ‘ S A R D I N E S’S A R D I N E L L A L E M U R U


An adult dusky shark was once found with 621 sardines in its stomach!


Be mesmerised by the shiny scales and syncronized swimming of our sardines in the Marina Bay exhibit area.

S I Z E : < 2 3 C M

D I E T : P L A N K T O N

M A I N P R E D AT O R :S H A R K S , W H A L E S , S E A L S

H A B I TAT : C O A S TA L P E L A G I C

F O U N D : E A S T E R N I N D I A N & W E S T E R N PA C I F I C O C E A N S


W H AT ’ S I N A N A M E ?

Named for its prickly skin and uncanny resemblance to a pineapple, the pineapplefish also has a heroic side.

It is also known as the knightfish, because its tough scales look like the chain-mail armour worn by medieval knights in their battles for glory! It makes sense then that its scientific name, Cleidopus gloriamaris, comes from a Latin term meaning ‘glory of the sea’.

G LO W I N T H E D A R K L I P S

The pineapplefish has luminous lips that glow brightly, especially at night, luring curious creatures right into its mouth!

The glow comes from colonies of microscopic marine bacteria that are the source of the bioluminescence. When juveniles the colour is usually a greenish yellow, however this changes to an orange or red as the pineapplefish matures.!

C A R E F U L W H AT Y O U F I S H F O R !

Pineapplefish are noctural. At night they move out onto sandy areas at night to hunt for crustaceans. If by chance they lure a predator instead of prey they have a flap of skin to quickly cover their glowing lure. With their lights out they are invisible once again in the blackness of the night ocean!

L I V I N G O N T H E L E D G E

Pineapplefish love to live under ledges and in small caves. You can usually find them in small schools at their favourite ‘hangouts’- research has found colonies that have been living under the same ledge for 7 years!

PINEAPPLEFISH C L E I D O P U S G LO R I A M A R I S


Pineapplefish are also armed with swords! Tucked up on each side of their body is a long spike. If threatened they stick these spikes out to make themselves harder to swallow!


Pineapplefish are found in the icy wonderland of AQWA’s Great Southern

S I Z E : < 2 5 C M

D I E T : T I N Y C R U S TA C E A N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : O C TO P U S , S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: R E E F 3 -1 50M

F O U N D : E N D E M I C TO A U S T R A L I A


TOTA L LY U N I Q U E

An octopus has 8 arms, 9 brains, 3 hearts and tongue lined with teeth! But the unique features don’t stop there: their main brain is shaped like a donut, they have blue blood, a beak-like mouth, electric skin plus thousands of suckers. These suckers can be moved seperately and are used for tasting as well as touching. The gloomy octopus has white eyes, is nocturnal and very territorial spending its day in a lair of rocks and rubble.

S U P E R S U C T I O N A N D S T R E N G T H !

Made almost entirely of muscle an octopus’ arms are incredibly strong and flexible. They can lift things at least 20 times their own weight and have a super tight grip thanks to the tiny grooves around their suckers, plus a prefect mix of water and slime.

E L E C T R I C S K I N

The gloomy octopus can change the colour and texture of its skin faster than we can blink our eyes. It constantly alters and updates it camoflague and has 3 seperate layers of colour changing cells to help it do this. It’s main disquises are rocks and seaweed - a look it perfects by forming round bumps or spikes with its skin, even above its eyes!

M A S T E R S O F E S C A P E

With no bones in their body, octopuses have an infinite range of motion and can easily squeeze through tiny crevices to make a stealthy getaway. When a quick escape is needed, octopuses use jet-propulsion. They may also shoot out an ink cloud, which reduces a predators ability to see and smell them. The ink cloud can even take the form of an octopus, causing the predator to mistake the ink as its target!

GLOOMY OCTOPUS O C TO P U S T E T R I C U S


More than 95% of animals don’t have a backbone!


Search our Perth Coast exhibit area to discover our octopus’ secret lair.

S I Z E : < 2 0 0 C M ( A R M S PA N )

D I E T : C R A B S , S H E L L F I S H , C R AY F I S H , F I S H

M A I N P R E D ATO R : S H A R K S , F I S H , S E A L I O N S

H A B I TAT: S H A L LO W C O A S TA L W AT E R , R O C K Y R E E F S

F O U N D : S U B T R O P I C A L O C E A N : A U S T R A L I A A N D N E W Z E A L A N D


G R E E N F I S H ?

The body shape of an eel may resemble a sea snake, however eels are fish! They have a bony skeleton, gills and paired fins but unlike most fish they have no scales. Instead, they are covered in slime!Green moray eels get their name from the colour of the slime that covers their skin. The colour can vary depending on their location and in WA the slime looks more brown than green. Their scientific name ‘prasinus’ means leek green!

PA C K E D W I T H T E E T H

Green moray eels have low rounded teeth and a large mouth that extends well behind its eyes. It’s teeth are inward pointing to snatch prey, and are not used to chew. They have another set of teeth in their throat which extend up and grab the still-live prey, making sure it can’t swim back out!You can get a good look at these teeth while a moray is breathing, as they constantly open and close their mouth to push water to the gills, just like a pump. This action gives them a fearsome appearance but remember they are just breathing!

I N , O U T A N D A R O U N D

Moray eels move swiftly in and out of the crevices of a reef, their flattened body and slimy skin helping them slip through tiny holes. Their bodies allow them to swim backwards and they’re known to twist their bodies into knots to crush prey!Their long thin body lacks the side and pelvic fins that other fish have giving them their scientific name ‘gymno’ (bare) ‘thorax’ (chest).

S M E L L I N G ‘ S T R A W S ’

The green moray eel is a noctural hunter, using its excellent sense of smell to find its food. Their nostrils (called nares) are widely spaced and shaped like tubes. As water passes through the tube they pick up scents - the longer the tube the greater the opportunity to pick up faint smells.

GREEN MORAY EEL G Y M N OT H O R A X P R A S I N U S


We breathe and smell through our nose however fish and sharks just use theirs for smelling!


You can see this creature up close in the Far North

S I Z E : < 1 5 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , C R A B S , O C TO P U S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : T H E Y H A V E F E W P R E D ATO R S B U T C A N B E E AT E N B Y F I S H , S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: C R A C K S A N D C R E V I C E S O F R O C K Y R E E F S

F O U N D : T E M P E R AT E O C E A N S A U S T R A L I A , N E W Z E A L A N D


E A S Y B E I N G G R E E N

Green sea turtles get their name from their greenish body fat not their shell colour!

T U R T E LY U N I Q U E

There are 7 marine turtles worldwide and 6 are found in W.A. Green sea turtles have a dome like shell that is tear-drop shaped, 4 pairs of costal scales and two thick scales between the eyes.

B I G G R E E N E AT I N G M A C H I N E S

Turtles are the only group of reptiles that don’t have teeth! Instead they have beaks that are adapted for feeding.

Adult green sea turtles are vegitarian and use their beak to scrape algae off rocks and corals. Their jaws also work alike scissors - perfect for cutting off some seagrass and algae to eat.

By grazing on the tips of seagrass green turtles increase the productivity and nutrient quality of seagrass blades, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

S W I F T S W I M M E R S

Sea turtles can’t pull their limbs into their shell like land tortoises, instead they are built for swiftness with strong front flippers designed for paddling and diving!

When turtles dive they dive to the seafloor to eat and ‘sleep’. Green sea turtles can stay underwater for upto 5 hours due to their large flexible lungs and the extra oxygen carrying cells in their blood. They are also able to control their metabolism and slow their heart rate to conserve oxygen - their heart may beat just once every 9 minutes!

GREEN SEA TURTLEC H E L O N I A M Y DA S

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Green turtles are the most common species of marine turtle in the Indian Ocean.


Are we caring for a green sea turtle in our Turtle Pool rehabilitation centre?

S I Z E : < 1 5 0 C M

D I E T: S E A G R A S S , A L G A E

M A I N P R E D AT O R : T I G E R S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: C O R A L R E E F S , S E A G R A S S M E A D O W S

F O U N D : W O R L D W I D E W A R M S U B T R O P I C A L A N D T R O P I C A L O C E A N S .


L AY E R E D S C A L E S

Turtles are known for their ‘shell’ made of thick bony scales, with hawksbill turtles these scales overlap giving them their species name imbricata meaning; to arrange in an overlapping pattern. Their scales are strikingly coloured with streaks of yellow, amber and brown and were the original source of “tortoise shell”, a semi precious material.

The common name ‘hawksbill’ comes from their beak-like mouth, which is long and hooked like the bill of a hawk.

I T ’ S A L L A B O U T S P O N G E S

The beak of a hawksbill turtle is longer and narrower than other turtles to reach sponges tucked into crevices between corals. As they are normally found near their food hawksbills have the most tropical range of all sea turtles. They avoid deep water, preferring coastlines where sponges are abundant and sandy nesting sites are within reach.

By eating sponges hawksbill turtles help to maintain the health of a coral reef. Sponges grow faster than corals and have few predators due to their toxic chemical defences. Without hawksbill turtles to keep sponges under control they would dominate reef communities and prevent corals from settling and growing.

Hawksbill turtles can eat sponges however hawksbill flesh is toxic to humans, if eaten it can lead to sickness and death.

H O M E I N W A

Hawksbill turtles have feeding and nesting grounds along the north-west shelf of WA. Nesting occurs from October to January and our hawksbill population is one of the largest in the world.

Around Australia different populations of Hawksbill turtles nest at different times of the year. The peak nesting season is January-February in the Great Barrier Reef and July-October in Arnhem Land.

HAWKSBILL TURTLEE R E T M O C H E LYS I M B R I C ATA


Hawksbill turtles are the smallest speacies of sea turtle.


Visit AQWA’s Turtle Pool to see if we are currently caring for any hawksbill turtles.

S I Z E : < 9 0 C M

D I E T : S P O N G E S , S E A G R A S S , A LG A E , S O F T C O R A L S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : L A R G E F I S H , S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: C O R A L R E E F S

F O U N D : T R O P I C A L O C E A N S W O R L D W I D E


W H A L E W I N G S

Humpback whales are named after the way they ‘hump’ their back before diving underwater. Their side fins are up to 5m in length and give the Humpback whale its scientific name Megaptera - big winged.

A S L O N G A S T H R E E C A R S !

Humpback whales can grow to 18m in length and weigh up to 45 tonnes. The female is larger than the male and both can live for over 50 years.

F E E L I N G T H E S T R A I N

Humpback whales feed on small prawn-like animals called krill, that they strain through hundreds of hair like strips called baleen. During their summer months in Antarctica these ocean giants may eat nearly 1 tonne of food a day, they then don’t eat for 8 months!

L O C A L S !

There are six main populations of humpback whales in the southern hemisphere, one for each side of the three southern continents. In autumn, the Western Australian population heads off on its northern migration to breeding grounds. After mating and giving birth, the humpbacks head back down south to Antarctica to feed. It is on this southern leg of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom that we get to watch these majestic mammals in the waters right off Perth!

A Q U AT I C A C R O B AT S

Humpback whales are famous for their remarkable surface displays. These displays include: propelling their body out of the water then crashing back down, slapping their side fins, slapping their tail and lifting their head out of the water.

HUMPBACK WHALE M E G A P T E R A N O VA E A N G L I A E


Humpback whales sing! Their songs can be heard 30-40km away and each population has their own song.

W I L D E N C O U N T E R S

From September to December AQWA teams up with Rottnest Fast Ferries, offering the change to see humpbacks in the wild!

S I Z E : < 1 , 8 0 0 C M

D I E T: K R I L L

M A I N P R E D AT O R : S H A R K S , K I L L E R W H A L E S

H A B I TAT: O P E N O C E A N , S H A L L O W C O A S TA L

F O U N D : W O R L D W I D E


D E C O R AT E D D R A G O N S

Seadragons get their name from the fiery and fierce dragons of story books- although they are not fierce at all! Decorated with plant-like leafy appendages they can easily hide amongst seaweed.

A R E T H E Y F I S H ?

Seadragons are true bony fish - just like tuna or salmon! They have gills, a bony skeleton and fins. When born, seadragons are the size of your fingernail with black and white markings. As they get older, they become a yellow-brown colour and grow up to 50cm long.

S N A P !

Seadragons eat up to 1,000 Mysid shrimps every day! With a rapid snap of the head, these tiny shrimps are sucked into the long tubular, toothless snout before being swallowed whole.

R I S K A N D R E W A R D !

The rippling movement of a small fin on the seadragons back slowly moves a seadragon through the water. Being slow swimmers seadragons risk not being able to escape predators. Their slow speed however, helps them to act like a drifting piece of seaweed. This combined with their plant like camouflage, stops predators from finding them in the first place. It also helps them to seek up on their food!

W O R L D E X C L U S I V E !

The cold southern waters of Australia are the only place in the world you can find seadragons in the wild. They range from Jurien Bay in WA along the southern coast to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

LEAFY SEADRAGON P H YC O D U R U S E Q U E S


Male seadragons are the only fish to carry eggs on their tail!

A spongy patch of their tail securely holds upto 250 bright pink eggs.


Search for these masters of disguise in AQWA’s great southern coast region. How many can you find?

S I Z E : < 5 0 C M

D I E T : T I N Y C R U S TA C E A N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : U N K N O W N

H A B I TAT: S E A W E E D A N D K E L P

F O U N D : S O U T H E R N A U S T R A L I A O N LY


PA I N F U L P U N C T U R E W O U N D S

Lionfish are members of the scorpionfish family, which includes some of the most venomous animals in the world! As their name suggests, scorpionfish have spines within their fins that can sting.

Lionfish have 13 hollow spines along their back that inject venom. The venom causes painful swelling, burning sensations and mobility issues but is not deadly!

T R E AT I T FA S T

The symptoms of a lionfish sting vary between individuals, from bee-sting like pain to unbelievable agony! Pain is alleviated with hot water, however the wound needs to be treated by a doctor as it can develop gangrene!

O C E A N F LY E R S

Lionfish get their name from the large side fins that wrap around their head like a lion’s mane. The lionfish found in WA is the red lionfish; its scientific name ‘Pterois’ is Latin for winged and ‘volitans’ is Greek for flying. This describes the lionfish’s oversized side fins and graceful, bird-like swimming style.

D O U B L E T R O U B L E

The lionfish’s fins have a double danger! As well as its venomous spines, its side fins work like a net to herd and trap prey against the reef.

PAT T E R N S W I T H P U R P O S E

The spots and stripes on the lionfish’s body aren’t just for show! These patterns break up their body outline, confusing both predators and prey. It’s hard for other animals to know the lionfish’s exact shape or which way it might swim!

LIONFISHP T E R O I S V O L I TA N S


Lionfish suck! To eat, lionfish create a vacuum within their mouth then, like a trap, it springs open sucking food inside!


The lionfish is part of the dangerous and deadly lineup of creatures found in the DANGERZONE!

S I Z E : < 4 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , P R A W N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : S H A R K S , E E L S , G R O U P E R S

H A B I TAT: R E E F

F O U N D : W A R M O C E A N H A B I TAT S W O R L D W I D E - N AT I V E TO I N D O PA C I F I C


T H I C K A S T R E E S

Loggerhead turtles get their name from their thick neck that is thought to resemble a log. They can also be identified by their 5 pairs of costal scales.

C R U S H I N G P O W E R

The jaws of a loggerhead turtle are designed to clamp down and crush their food. To support their parge and powerful jaws, loggerhead turtles have a larger skull than most species of turtles.

J U S T L I K E PA D D L E S

Loggerhead turtles use their front flippers like paddles to push through the water. They can dive to over 230m deep and can tolerate colder water than the green and hawksbill turtles.

PAT H F I N D E R S

The worlds oceans are just a big backyard for loggerhead turtles. They can spend decades in the open ocean crossing one side of an ocean basin to another and will migrate long distances from feeding to nesting locations.

To find their way turtles follow currents, track changes in the earths magnetic fields and use their keen sense of smell.

Franklin and Fifi are rescue turtles cared for by AQWA then released back into the wild. They were tagged upon release and swam from Exmouth to Madagascar!

N O P L A C E L I K E H O M E

No matter where they travel loggerhead turtles will return to the beach onwhich they were born, to have their babies. Females come up onto the beach and lay approximaely 120 ping pong ball sized eggs before returning back to sea.

LOGGERHEAD TURTLEC A R E T TA C A R E T TA


Turtles can’t hear us talk! They can hear, however they only detect very low frequency sounds.


Our resident turtle can be found in the Shipwreck Coast. AQWA also cares for sick and injured turtes in the Turtle Pool.

S I Z E : < 1 1 0 C M

D I E T : S H E L L F I S H , C R A B S , S E A U R C H I N S , J E L LY F I S H

M A I N P R E D ATO R : T I G E R S H A R K

H A B I TAT: C O R A L R E E F S , B AY S , E S T U A R I E S

F O U N D : A L L T R O P I C A L A N D S U B T R O P I C A L O C E A N S


A P O I N T O F D I F F E R E N C E

With bright colours, long horns, bulging lips and a unique wind-up toy swimming style, the longhorned cowfish is a very distinctive fish.

Named for the long horns atop its head, alike those of a cow, the cowfish’s scientific name Lactoria cornuta translates to the very similar “milk with horns”.

Rather than move forward by swishing its tail, the cowfish paddles its top and side fins, making them slow and stilted swimmers.

F O U R -TO OT H E D FA M I LY

Cowfish belong to a group of fish called ‘tetraodontiformes’, which means “four teeth”. Their teeth are fused together, except for a split through the middle, forming two large teeth in the top jaw and two in the bottom.

B L U E A N D B O X Y

The longhorned cowfish is covered in bright blue dots, which advertise to predators that it’s dangerous. It has the ability to ooze toxic slime from its skin, which can stop other fish- and us!- from breathing.

Incase the cowfish’s warning is ignored, it has another survival strategy; to be too hard to swallow! It is spiked with horns at the front and the back of the body and the body itself is an unappetizing, solid box made of fused together scales.

B U I LT I N W AT E R P I S TO L

Longhorned cowfish live around the sand and rubble of coral lagoons and reef flats. To feed, they blow jets of water through their bulging, pistol-like lips into the sand to uncover hidden food.


Fish can make sounds! The cowfish doesn’t moo like a cow, but it does grind its teeth to grunt like a pig!


Watch the longhorned cowfish zoom through a coral lagoon in AQWA’s Far Norh!

S I Z E : < 5 0 C M

D I E T : A LG A E , B E N T H I C I N V E R T E B R AT E S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : L A R G E R F I S H E G . T U N A


F O U N D : I N D O -PA C I F I C O C E A N S

LONGHORNED COWFISH L A C TO R I A C O R N U TA


S E E -T H R O U G H A N I M A L S

Jellyfish are cup shaped animals with one opening and a rim of tentacles. They have no heart, blood, brain, ears, eyes or central nervous system and use their whole body to breathe. Their clear body (known as a bell) acts as camouflage, helping them to survive in the open ocean.

Moon jellyfish are named for their perfectly round, shiny bell which reflects light, appearing as a full moon in the water. They have crescent shaped reproductive organs that are visible through their bell, adding to their moon motif.

O L D E R T H A N D I N O S A U R S !

The body of a jellyfish is 95% water. Their simple structure has helped them exist for over 650 million years – That means they out-lived the dinosaurs and existed long before sharks or life on land!

PA R A LY S E D !

Jellyfish use their tentacles to catch prey of small fish, algae, and even other jellyfish. Tiny stinging cells in the tentacles, called nematocysts, paralyze the prey before it is drawn to the mouth and digested.

F R E E T R A N S P O R T

Moon jellyfish drift around with ocean currents. This free transport works well for jellyfish, as it uses little energy and means they are always surrounded by food, as their small prey also drifts in these currents.

S M A C K !

A group of jellyfish is called a smack! Smacks of 1000’s of moon jellyfish can be found all along Western Australia’s coastline and in the Swan River.

MOON JELLYFISH A U R E L I A A U R ATA


Jellyfish have three parts to their life; a swimming larva stage, an attached polyp stage and finally a current drifting medusa stage.Moon jellyfish can stay in their polyp phase for up to 25 years!


Be mesmerised by Moon jellyfish in AQWA’s Perth Coast!

S I Z E : 4 0 C M

D I E T : P L A N K TO N

M A I N P R E D ATO R : T U R T L E S

H A B I TAT: O C E A N S , C O A S TA L W AT E R S A N D E S T U A R I E S

F O U N D : W O R L D W I D E . T E M P E R AT E , T R O P I C A L W AT E R S


F I S T S O F F U R Y

The peacock mantis shrimp can fling its fist-like claws as fast as a .22 calibre bullet! It uses these appendages to stun, smash and grab its prey. Their claws move so fast that they create ‘cavitation bubbles’ - bubbles that cause small implosions of heat, light and sound when they pop.

S M A S H O R S P E A R

Mantis shrimp are categorised by the design of their claw; A spiked spear for piercing prey or a club shaped claw used to smash and hammer.

E Y E S PY

The lightening fast reflexes of mantis shrimp are powered by super eyesight- one of the most complex ever discovered. Their “T” shaped eyes are propped up on stalks, giving them wide vision and perfect depth perception to judge the precise distance of a target! They see more of the colour spectrum than humans, using 5 more specialised cells than our eyes, including cells that are sensitive to UV light.

B U R R O W B U L L I E S ?

Despite their incredible weaponry, mantis shrimp are still on the smaller side (2-30cm in length) compared to other predators, so they hide in burrows and stealthily stalk prey, or attack it when it passes within range. Some mantis shrimp will engage in ritualised fighting with another to establish territory and claim a burrow and mates.

C O LO U R C O M M U N I C AT I O N

Mantis shrimp rely on colour to communicate. Some species have fluorescent colouring that is hidden when perched in their burrow, then becomes bold and bright when caught out in the light and is used to ward off predators. Colour is even used to identify individuals and help distinguish between a friendly neighbour or a possible foe.

PEACOCK MANTIS SHRIMP O D O N TO D A C T Y L U S S C Y L L A R U S


Mantis shrimp have the fastest predatory strike in the ocean. It is 50 times faster than the blink of a human eye and strong enough to break glass and bone.


The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a part of our dangerous and deadly line up in the DANGERZONE!

S I Z E : <3 0 C M

D I E T : F I S H , C R A B S , W O R M S , C L A M S , P R A W N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : L A R G E F I S H

H A B I TAT: C O R A L A N D R O C K Y R E E F S

F O U N D : I N D I A N A N D PA C I F I C O C E A N S


C O A S T TO C O A S T

Port Jackson sharks are found from their namesake port in Sydney, along the southern coast and over to central Western Australia.

Port Jackson’s are part of the horn shark family and have; a boxy head with two raised ridges that run back from the eyes, no anal fin and spines infront of their dorsal fins . They are common and harmless sharks

B OT TO M D W E L L E R S

Port Jacksons are nocturnal bottom dwellers, resting and hunting in shallow reefs, caves and rocky outcrops. The underside of their body is flatened to sit seamlessly on the bottom and they have paddle-like pectoral fit to give balence and crawl through the sand.

F R O N T TO B A C K T E E T H

Port Jackson sharks feed on small fish, crustaceans and molluscs which they crush. Their scientific name ‘Heterodontus’ is Greek and means ‘other teeth’. This refers to their unusual and varied teeth. At the front they are small and pointed, while at the rear they are larger and flatter. These teeth can’t tear, but are good for holding and grinding.

A R M E D W I T H S P I N E S A N D C A M O

For protections Port Jackson sharks rely on their characteristic harness-like camouflage to blend them in with the seabed. If spotted by a predator cruising above, their two dorsal spines act to deter a strike.

U N I Q U E B R E AT H E R S

By pumping water in their first gill and out through gills 2-5 Port Jackson sharks can eat and breathe at the same time - a unique ability for sharks!

PORT JACKSON SHARK H E T E R O D O N T U S P O R T U S J A C K S O N I


Port Jackson sharks hatch out of eggs! Their eggs have a frill around them that makes them look like seaweed and they can take up to 12 months to hatch!


Egg: Great SouthernBabies: Perth Coast Teenagers: Touch Pool Adults: Shipwreck Coast

S I Z E : < 1 6 5 C M

D I E T : F I S H , M O L L U S C S , C R U S TA C E A N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : L A R G E R S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: R O C K Y R E E F

F O U N D : S O U T H E R N A U S T R A L I A O N LY


B O N E L E S S B O D I E S

There are two species of blue ringed octopus commonly found in WA; the ‘greater blue ringed octopus’ lives in the warm northern reefs, while the ‘southern blue ringed octopus’ is found along the shores and rock pools of the southern beaches.

They share the genus Haplochlaena which is Greek and means ‘soft cloak’, describing their soft, boneless bodies. Having no bones and elastic limbs allows octopuses to squeeze through tiny crevices in reefs and rockpools.

B L U E I S B E S T

Blue ringed octopuses are beige to brown over most of their body and are named for their blue rings, which flash brightly when they are threatened or startled. To advertise that they are dangerous and deter attacks, many sea creatures use blue.

Why blue? Colours are absorbed differently in water and some can be hard to see. But blue light scatters and travels deep, making it more visible. So it’s the perfect colour to use when making a bold statement, like a warning!

A B E A K E D B I T E A N D S E R I O U S S P I T

A blue ringed octopus’ danger is in its spit! Biting its prey with a beak-like mouth, the blue ringed octopus injects poisonous saliva.

The poison is made by bacteria living in the saliva glands above the octopus’ brain. The poison is strong enough to kill 10 people and there is no antidote!

F L I G H T B E F O R E F I G H T

Octopuses prefer to escape and deter, rather than attack with their deadly bite. They use their jet-propulsion to make speedy escapes, but as a last resort, a blue ringed octopus will aggressively flash its bright blue spots to scare away the threat!

BLUE RINGED OCTOPUSH A PA LO C H L A E N A S P.


They’re small but strong! Blue ringed octopuses are usually less than 20cm in size yet they can lift things 20 times their own weight!


The blue ringed octopus is part of the dangerous and deadly lineup of creatures found in the DANGERZONE!

S I Z E : < 2 0 C M

D I E T : C R A B S , F I S H

M A I N P R E D ATO R : E E L S , B I R D S

H A B I TAT: T I D E P O O L S , R O C K Y R E E F S

F O U N D : I N D O -PA C I F I C ( J A PA N TO A U S T R A L I A )


A N G E L I C O U T L I N E S

Angelfish are named for how their wide fins make their silhouette look like that of an angel. Famous for their flashy colours and patterns, there are over 80 known marine species of which 30 are found in Australian waters.

Angelfish are related to butterflyfish, another colourful large-finned family on tropical reefs. The angelfish are distinguished from butterflyfish by the strong spines found on their gill covers. This also explains their scientific family name Pomacanthidae; poma is Greek meaning “cover” and akantha means “thorn”.

S H E LT E R S E E K E R S

Angelfish are not very angelic, but are instead quite territorial! They seek shelter in caves and coral crevices and can be very protective of their chosen home. Males defend their living space as well as the females they share it with, chasing other males away.

L I T T L E A N G E L S

Young angelfish have completely different colour patterns to the adults and they may even live on different parts of the reef.

A N G E L F I S H FA S H I O N

The stunning “fashions” of angelfish are used to camouflage, confuse predators and communicate. When young, they often have bold stripes that help them to hide by distorting their outline. As they grow, the colours and patterns they develop indicate their gender and social rank. They can change gender and rank and in doing so change their “outfit”!

ANGELFISHES FA M I LY : P O M AC A N T H I DA E


Over 1000 types of fish are known to make sounds including angelfish! They make a loud drumming sound when alarmed.


Search for angelfish as they glide through the warm waters of AQWA’s Far North coast.

S I Z E : < 4 6 C M

D I E T: S P O N G E S , A L G A E , C O R A L S , T U N I C AT E S

M A I N P R E D AT O R : F I S H , S H A R K S

H A B I TAT: C O R A L R E E F

F O U N D : T R O P I C A L I N D I A N , PA C I F I C , AT L A N T I C O C E A N S

E M P E R O R A N G E L F I S HAdult (Main image) Juvenile (Insert)


B U I LT- I N W E A P O N S

The blue tang belongs to the Acanthurus ‘thorn-tailed’ family who have a venemous dagger-like thorn on each side of the tail. These are concealed when relaxed but can be quickly drawn to slice a persuing predator. The venom inside cause severe pain, to small predators as well as humans.

Blue tangs don’t just use their weapons for defence - Males are often aggressive toward one another, having “sword fights” to win more territory.

A V O I D A N C E S Y S T E M S

The blue tang’s vibrant blue colour can deter attacks by acting as a warning sign of its hidden danger. If the blue tang’s weapons and warning colour fail, its flat body helps it easily turn and slip into the small spaces of a reef to escape!

Blue tangs may also “play dead” by lying on their side and staying still until the predator swims away.

N U M B E R 6 F I S H ?

The “number 6 fish” is just one of the blue tangs many nicknames - Can you see a number 6 in its dark blue pattern?

Counting is also important to the classification of tangs and surgeonfish. Many have such simular features that they are distinguished by the number of small bones in their fins. Blue tangs have 9 hard and 26-28 soft bones in the fin that runs along their back (the dorsal fin).

R E E F R O L E - G A R D E N E R S

Blue Tangs are important to reefs as they feed on algae that can overgrow corals. They generally choose Pocillopora and Acropora corals, using their branches as homes and ‘weeding’ them of algae.

BLUE TANGPA R A C A N T H U R U S H E PAT U S


Juvenile blue tangs are bright yellow with blue spots by their eyes and light blue tipped fins. Their bodies become blue as they mature.


Find “Dory” amongst the vibrant colours of AQWA’s Far North exhibit area.

S I Z E : <3 8 C M

D I E T : A LG A E

M A I N P R E D ATO R : L A R G E F I S H E G . T U N A , G R O U P E R


F O U N D : T R O P I C A L W AT E R I N D O -PA C I F I C O C E A N S


F L U T T E R I N G F I S H E S

Butterflyfish are named for their bold colours and the false eye-spots, known as ocelli, which resemble those of butterflies. Their colours, patterns and fluttering swimming style are all about attitude! While butterflyfish have no dangerous features, their striking appearance is able to startle and confuse predators.

H A I R Y T E E T H A N D S K I N N Y S N O U T S

Butterflyfish have the family name Chaetodontidae, meaning “hair-teeth”. This describes the bristle-like teeth they use to scrape coral polyps and algae from the reef. Their mouths are often elongated into long snouts to help pick at and reach their food.

Their small, narrow body shape is ideal for manouvering around the reef, slipping through crevices and short bursts of speed.

O N E B I G FA M I LY

Butterflyfish are one of the largest fish families on tropical coral reefs, with more than 130 species and at least 60 of them found in Australian waters.

The largest genus Chaetodon contains around 90 species that are the most “typical” butterflyfish. The rest of the family is made up of coralfish and bannerfish, who possess the same impressive patterns, but are distinguished by colour and body shape.

F I S H PY J A M A S

Butterflyfish are active scavengers during the day, then at night they put on their pyjamas! They are able to dull their vibrant colours to help them blend in to the darker water at night while they sleep.

BUTTERFLYFISHES FA M I LY: C H A E TO D O N T I D A E


Some butterflyfish have a defensive stance - they lower their head and raise their back fins alike a bull about to charge.


Search for butterflyfish as they flutter through the warm waters of AQWA’s Far North coast.

S I Z E : < 2 0 C M

D I E T : C O R A L P O LY P S C R U S TA C E A N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : E E L S , L A R G E R F I S H


F O U N D : T R O P I C A L I N D I A N , PA C I F I C , AT L A N T I C O C E A N S


S L I M E S U P P E R

Cleaner wrasse make a job out of eating! They eat the slime, old scales, dirt and parasites from other fishes’ skin.Some ‘customer fish’ will even allow the cleaner wrasse to enter their mouth and clean their teeth and gills of leftover food!

I T ’ S A W I N / W I N

Cleaner wrasse have a symbiotic relationship with their customers. The wrasse receives food and protection, while the customer remains healthy by having dead and damaged skin removed before it gets infected. By having old scales and bugs removed customers also stay streamlined and can swim faster without all that dirt slowing them down!

H O W N O T T O G E T E AT E N

Cleaner wrasse are recognized from other fish by their stripes, size and dance-like movements. Once identified, customer fish won’t eat cleaners because the health benefits of being cleaned are too important.

Plus, cleaner wrasse keep their clients happy, by giving them a free massage! As the cleaner wrasse eats, fins on its belly beat rapidly over the customer’s skin, keeping them calm and still.

M A N Y M O U T H S M A K E L I G H T W O R K

Cleaner wrasse work together, usually in pairs, to set up cleaning stations. These are designated areas on the reef where fish and other marine creatures gather to be cleaned! Cleaning stations earn a reputation and if the cleaner wrasse do a good job, sea creatures will become ‘return customers’. The best cleaning stations on the reef will often have a “line” of customers waiting to be cleaned!

BLUESTREAK CLEANER WRASSE L A B R O I D E S D I M I D I AT U S


Customers need to watch out for the False Cleaner Wrasse - it mimics the real cleaner wrasse but has fangs and will bite instead of cleaning!


Everywhere! Cleaner wrasse are so important they are in just about all our exhibits.

S I Z E : < 1 2 C M

D I E T: PA R A S I T E S , S L I M E , D E A D S K I N

M A I N P R E D AT O R : F I S H


F O U N D : T R O P I C A L & T E M P E R AT E I N D O -PA C I F I C


C L O W N I N G A R O U N D

Clownfish get their name from their bold, blotchy colours that are alike the face paints worn by clowns.

There are at least 17 species of clownfish found in Australia, with 4 found in Western Australia.

H O M E S W E E T H O M E

Clownfish live in a sea anemone- animals related to jellyfish that have stinging tentacles. Anemonefish are picky about their pad- clown anemonefish will only consider 4 types of anemones and will inspect an anemone before investing in it. They will tap the anemone’s tentacles with their fins and body to make sure it is a suitable home.

S L I M E ’ S T H E S E C R E T

Clownfish are immune to the stings of anemones because they are covered in a protective slime! By living in the stinging cells of sea anemones, clownfish are protected from predators and have a safe place to lay their eggs. In return, clownfish keep anemones clean and chase away anemone-eating butterflyfish.

N O I S Y N E I G H B O U R S

After carefully selecting a home, female clownfish will fiercely protect it. They clack their jaws together to make a threatening sound, which acts as a noisy alarm to deter intruders.

P O W E R PA R E N T S

Clownfish parents make a great team and may even mate for life! Mums protect the nest and her mate while dads clean and care for the eggs, sometimes even forgetting to eat!

CLOWN ANEMONEFISH A M P H I P R I O N O C E L L A R I S


After hatching, clownfish larvae are swept up by currents and travel kilometers away from their birthplace. They then sniff their way back to their home “suburb”!


See if you can “Find Nemo” in AQWA’s Far North exhibit area.

S I Z E : 8 C M

D I E T: A L G A E , P L A N K T O N , W O R M S

M A I N P R E D AT O R ( A S E G G S ) : B R I T T L E S TA R S , D A M S E L F I S H , W R A S S E

H A B I TAT: R E E F 3 -1 5 M D E P T H

F O U N D : A U S T R A L I A , J A PA N , S O U T H E A S T A S I A


W H AT ’ S I N A N A M E ?

Coral comes from a word meaning red. It was first used to describe the red coral of the Mediterranean.

A N I M A L S - N OT P L A N T S !

Believe it or not, corals are animals alike jellyfish and anemones. Corals are made up of hundreds of tiny animals, called polyps, all living together in a colony. Polyps look a bit like an upside-down jellyfish, with a cup-like body and tentacles. Their tentacles contain stinging cells that help them catch food and protect their border.

R E E F B U I L D E R S

Coral reefs are formed by the most common type of coral; hard coral. Hard corals use sea water to create a limestone skeleton. As the colony grows, so too does its skeleton, and the coral reef.

I N D O O R P L A N T S

Hard corals get energy to build reefs from tiny plants living inside their cells. These plants, called zooxanthellae, use sunlight to make the food.

S P L I T O R S PA W N ?

Coral polyps can reproduce in two ways; by dividing in two or by a process called ‘spawning’. Once a year, millions of sperm and eggs are released at the same time. New polyps are formed which then settle on the reef to build new coral colonies.

O N T H E S O F T E R S I D E

Not all corals are hard. Soft corals lack the hard limestone skeleton of hard corals and are instead supported by calcium rods called sclerites.

CORAL C L A S S A N T H A Z O A


Coral have inbuilt sunscreen to stop them from getting burnt!


You’ll find living coral throughout our exhibits. AQWA is considered a world leader when it comes to the care and growth of living coral! Visit today to discover the diversity of coral found along our coast.

S I Z E ( P O LY P ) : 1 -1 2 C M

D I E T : S U G A R S A N D P L A N K TO N

M A I N P R E D ATO R : PA R R OT F I S H , C R A B S B U T T E R F LY F I S H , W O R M S

H A B I TAT ( H A R D C O R A L ) W A R M , C L E A R , S H A L LO W W AT E R S

F O U N D : A L L O C E A N S


O C E A N I N S E C T S

A crayfish’s segmented legs and hard outer covering places them in the same group of animals as insects. They also share a compund eye. This means that their vision is alike a kaledisocope - lots of different images at once.

C R AY F I S H E AT W I T H T H E I R F E E T !

Crayfish have 10 pairs of ‘legs’. Some are used for walking, some for swimming, some for eating and some for tasting!

They smell with their small antennae and use their big spikey antennae for feeling around, defending themselves and to “talk”.

S P I N Y B O D Y A R M O U R

Rock lobsters are unique as they don’t have the large claws of traditional lobsters. They belong to the ‘spiny lobster’ family and have hundreds of sharp thorny pines covering their body. For further protection they have two horns on their head; long spikey antennae that are swung like clubs; and a hard outer covering, called a carapace, that acts like a suit of armour.

When crayfish get too big for their hard outer shell, they break free and grow a new one. This is called moulting. If they have lost a leg or broken an antennae it regrows while they moult.

Rocklobsters can live for over 20 years and it is thought that they never stop growing!

T H E LO N G M A R C H

Crayfish have a migratory phase to their life cycle. In late spring young adults, known as ‘whites’ due to their pale carapace, migrate on mass to into deeper water. Treking only at night they march in a set formation hundreds of kilometres west into water up to 100m deep.

WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER (CRAYFISH)PA N U L I R U S C YG N U S


A crayfish’s teeth aren’t in its mouth - they are in its stomach! Called a gastic mill it is made up of 3 molar teeth.


Search the caves and crevices of our Perth Coast exhibit area for these nocturnal wonders.

S I Z E : < 5 K G

D I E T : C O R A L L I N E A LG A E , D E T R I T U S , M O L L U S C S , C R U S TA C E A N S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : F I S H , O C TO P U S , S E A L I O N S

H A B I TAT: S E A G R A S S , R E E F

F O U N D : W . A . O N LY


S O M E T H I N G F I S H Y !

Fish is the general term used to describe a huge group of animals that live in water and have a backbone, cold blood, gills and fins. There are three main groups of fish; bony fish (e.g. salmon), cartilaginous fish (e.g. sharks and rays) and jawless fish (e.g. hagfishes).

B R E AT H I N G A N D F LO AT I N G

Fish use gills to breathe the oxygen in water. Water flows over the gills from pairs of flap like openings on a fish’s head. Bony fish have one gill opening while sharks and rays have 5-7.

Fish are heavier than water! To help them stay afloat bony fish have an air filled sac called a swim bladder, and sharks have a large oily liver.

S C A L E S A N D S L I M E

Most fish are covered in thin overlapping plates, called scales, which protect their skin. On top of these scales is a layer of slime! Slime helps fish to swim faster and stay healthy by acting as a barrier to parasites and a liquid bandaid!

Instead of scales a shark’s body is covered in tiny ‘skin teeth’! These teeth make a sharks skin feel like sandpaper.

F I N S

Fish have 5 sets of fins each with its own role. The side fins are normally used for steering, the tail for propulsion and the other fins for stability.

FA S T O R S LO W ?

The shape of a fishes tail can tells us how fast it usually swims. Fish with forked tails, and a narrow base, are fast swimmers. Slow swimmers have rounded tails with a wide base.

F ISH K I N G D O M : A N I M A L I A P H Y L U M : C H O R D ATA


Bony fish have very flexible fins compared to cartilaginous fish.


Parrotfish sleep in a slime sleeping bag that they make themselves everynight.


Eels and seahorses can swim backwards!


There are over 23,000 species of marine fish!


S U R V I V A L S C H O O L

Many fish gather in groups called schools. Schooling makes swimming easier and increases the chances of finding food, avoiding predators and finding a mate.

B E D T I M E ?

Fish may not sleep like we do but most will rest in caves or crevices to save energy and hide from predators.

M A R I N E M E S S A G E S

Bony fish use their colour, patterns and behaviour to communicate with each other. More than 500 types of bony fish are also known to make sounds and these sounds can be heard for up to 150m.

N O N E C K !

Fish don’t need to turn their head like we do! With eyes on either side of their head fish can see what is on their left and right at the same time.

S E A S E N S E S

Bony fish use their whole body to pick up vibrations in the water made by noise. These vibrations are then passed on to their inner ear. Sharks have an ear hole and are able to focus their hearing in front and above them, which is usually where their food is!

Fish have taste buds on their lips and skin, as well as in their mouths.

A fish’s nostrils are called ‘nares’ and they can’t breathe through them like we can.

Fish have a line running along their body called the lateral line. It is full of tiny cells that help it feel movements in the water.

F ISH K I N G D O M : A N I M A L I A P H Y L U M : C H O R D ATA


Sharks can smell 10,000 times better than us!


There is a fish that lives in the bottom of a sea cucumber!


The largest fish in the ocean is the whale shark


You can tell how old a fish is by counting rings on its ear bones!

page 2


F L AT N OT G R E E N

Flatback turtles get their name from their low-domed “flat” back. Their scientific name Natator (meaning ‘swimmer’) depressus (meaning ‘low’) was only given to them after 1988. Before this, scientists believed they were a subspecies of the green sea turtle!

Because of this late discovery, there is little research on flatback turtles and scientists are still to unlock many of their mysteries.

H O M E G R O W N

Flatback turtles only nest on the northern coast of Australia. They may travel to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia to feed, but return to the beach where they hatched in Australia when they are ready to nest. In Western Australia, they nest in our Pilbara and Kimberly regions.

S H E L F S I T T E R S

Unlike other sea turtles, flatbacks don’t have an oceanic life phase. Rather than cruise ocean currents amongst rafts of seaweed, they stay in the shallow waters of the continental shelf. They prefer inshore waters and bays where their feeding ground is the shallow, soft bottomed seabed.

H A R D Y H ATC H L I N G S

Flatback turtles lay less eggs per clutch than other turtles, but the eggs and hatchlings are bigger in return. Their larger bodies may give them a stronger start to life. Other unique features of flatback hatchlings are; blue eyes; black outlines on their scutes which may act as camouflage; and a serrated edge to their shell for protection.

FLATBACK TURTLE (HATCHLING PICTURED)

N ATATO R D E P R E S S U S


A turtle’s shell is known as a carapace and it is covered by strong scales called scutes.

These scutes are made of keratin, just like our nails!


Rarely on exhibit. Hatchlings may be cared for in our Turtle Pool rehabilitation centre.

S I Z E : < 1 0 0 C M

D I E T : S E A C U C U M B E R S , S O F T C O R A L S , J E L LY F I S H

M A I N P R E D ATO R : S H A R K S , L A R G E F I S H , C R O C O D I L E S ,

H A B I TAT: I N S H O R E W AT E R S A N D B AY S

F O U N D : A U S T R A L I A , PA P U A N E W G U I N E A , I N D O N E S I A


A T E A M P L AY E R ?

The footballer sweep is nick named for its bold striped pattern that looks like a football player’s jersey. Its formal name also comes from its stripes as ‘obliquus’ means slanting.

These inquisitive fish are known to zoom over reefs in teams using their ‘safety in numbers’ to search for food, explore caves or follow divers!

As divers swim their fins stir up the sand, uncovering the tiny food footballer fish feast on.

C H U B B Y A U S S I E S

Footballer sweeps are only found in Australia! They were discovered relatively recently, in 1905, despite being part of a family of fish that has existed for 55 million years!This family of thin, oval shaped fish are known as ‘sea chubs’.

S T E A LT H Y S T R I P E S

Having stripes all over the body breaks up a fish’s outline. This is called ‘confusion camouflage’. It makes it hard for a predator to know where one fish ends and the next begins, and also which is the front or back of the fish. This makes it more difficult for a predator to predict where the fish might move next.

B U I LT F O R C I T Y L I V I N G

Footballer sweeps are found in reefs; these underwater cities are packed with caves, crevices and swim-throughs. The footballer’s thin body and large, rounded fins allow it to quickly change direction and its angle to slip into these small spaces.

FOOTBALLER SWEEP N E AT Y P U S O B L I Q U U S


Footballer sweep have small thorn-like teeth which they use to filter their food from the water.


Watch footballer sweep zooming through the Perth Coast or circling in schools in our outdoor coral reef exhibit.

S I Z E : < 24 C M

D I E T : Z 0 0 P L A N K TO N , I N V E R T E B R AT E S

M A I N P R E D ATO R : F I S H

H A B I TAT: R O C K Y R E E F S

F O U N D : S O U T H & W E S T E R N A U S T R A L I A O N LY

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SEA SNAKES - AQWA€¦ · Sea snakes are ocean reptiles. Like other reptiles they have scales, breathe air and can’t control their body temperature! Sea snakes also have a forked