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Bellowsfish
The crested bellowsfish is notable for its unusual body shape - round and flattened with an elongated snout and a thick, elongated first dorsal spine which points backwards. Its body is orange, often mottled with white stripes and blotches. It has large eyes, which are positioned close to the base of its snout.It inhabits the temperate waters of the southern oceans, most notably around Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island as well as the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. At least one sighting places them in South African waters too.It is a demersal species, living close to the seafloor at depths of up to 600m. It has not been studied enough to identify its prey, but other species of bellows fish feed on plankton and tiny bottom-dwelling crustaceans.The specimens at the Aquarium are from the island of Tristan da Cunha, where they are regularly caught in crayfish traps.Serpent-skinned brittle star
The serpent-skinned brittle star has a flat, disc-like body with file long, spindly arms extending outward from the edge of the disc.
Crystal jelly
Compared to the generic "jellyfish-shape" most are familiar with, the crystal jelly is flattened and saucer-shaped. It can grow up to 60cm wide.
White sea catfish
The white sea catfish is a robust fish with a dark dorsal surface and sides, but with a notably pale white belly. Its body is completely scaleless and is slimy to the touch - it is covered in a protective layer of mucus.
Piggy
The piggy is a small silver-olive coloured fish with a notable dark black-brown blotch on its gill covers, and the top of its body is noticeably pinker than the bottom.
Sixline wrasse
Sixline wrasses are small, colourful fish inhabiting coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from KwaZulu-Natal and the Red Sea to the Ryukyu islands of Japan.
Smooth horsefish
Unveiling the Smooth Horsefish: A fascinating aquatic species with a sleek appearance and extraordinary adaptability.
Spinynose horsefish
Discover the Spinynose Horsefish: A unique species known for its distinctive spiny snout and remarkable adaptability in aquatic environments
Redfingers
Bottom-dwelling endemic species found in the cool water of tidal pools and subtidal gullies off the southern African coast. Feeds on small invertebrates. Has enlarged pectoral fins which act as tactile sensors and also stabilize the fish when it is ‘lying’ on the bottom. Attains 30 cm in length.Slender glassy
Smooth glassies are small silver fish with translucent bodies.
Blacktail
Blacktails are medium-size, oval, silver fish. Their tails are not black as their name suggests, but they do have a large black spot on each side of their caudal peduncle.
White-spotted butterflyfish
Chaetodon means ‘hair-like teeth’. Common on coral and rocky reefs in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Occurs singly or in groups as it browses the reef for food items such as soft corals, zooplankton, small crabs, worms and seaweed. Little is known about its breeding behaviour, but it has been known to crossbreed with the teardrop butterflyfish.