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Moonies are at home in fresh water and salt water. They occur in large shoals in rivers, estuaries, harbours and in the sea from Tanzania to the Breë River (also reported from Madagascar) and are common off the South African south coast. They are active at night and feed on shrimp and small crabs.

They are sometimes called kite fish because of their shape.

Maasbanker occur in large shoals and are trawled from the ocean depths during the day. At night they come to the surface to feed on plankton, which they strain from the water using their gill rakers.

They are an important food source for humans as well as dolphins, tuna, yellowtail and various seabirds.

SASSI status: Green

White stumpnose are an endemic southern African coastal species found in large shoals.

Juveniles use estuaries as nursery areas. Minimum legal catch size is 20 cm.

Ichthyologist Margaret Smith said that, when adult dageraad die, they are ‘the most beautiful of all creatures, as waves of different colours pass over the body’. ‘Dageraad’ is Dutch for ‘dawn’.

SASSI status: Red - Don’t buy or sell dageraad! Rather choose a green-listed species.

Large adults have been spotted in the deep canyons off Sodwana Bay where coelacanths were found. Slow-growing fish and can live up to 24 years.

SASSI status: Red - Don´t buy or sell yellowbelly rockcod! Rather choose a green-listed species.

Many fishermen have stories to tell about this species. Red steenbras is one of the most popular species amongst anglers because it can be caught on just about any bait and puts up a good fight. A few decades ago these fish were plentiful, but due to their popularity, they have declined in numbers.

Although red steenbras is excellent to eat, its liver contains a toxic level of Vitamin A.

SASSI: Red—Don’t buy or sell red steenbras! Rather choose a green-listed species.

The blue-ringed octopus is renowned for being one of the world’s most venomous marine animals, despite reaching a maximum of 10 cm in size.

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Visitors who opt to bring their own gear would need to bring along all of the equipment listed above, except for the cylinder which the Aquarium will provide.

Bathroom and hot shower facilities are available onsite.

If you choose the Aquarium gear payment options the following equipment will be provided.

Get up close and personal with the adorable northern rockhopper penguins of the Two Oceans Aquarium with our awesome, educational and interactive Penguin Experience!