Search

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Journey to a Coral Reef

See, touch and experience corals and surrounding marine life.
The world's first large-scale exhibit of coral reproduction is found here on this floor.

  1. Home
  2. Aquarium Area Guide
  3. Journey to a Coral Reef
  4. The Coral Sea

World's first large-scale exhibit of coral reproduction

The Coral Sea

Picture of the Coral Sea Picture of the Coral Sea

The Coral Sea tank is open to the sky, so that Okinawa's powerful sunlight can reach it directly. Such large-scale cultivation of coral has been made possible by utilizing a system that continually supplies fresh sea water from the offshore waters close by the Aquarium. It is quite a sight to see approximately 800 colonies composed of 70 different reef-building coral.

The Coral Sea tank was created based on ideas that our staff received while diving locally and observing the coral reef every month. The coral in this tank was first transplanted as small coral fragments which were collected by special permission and have been growing here for more than 10 years.

Aquarium tank information as of April 2010
Aquarium capacity 300m³
Species Corals: approx. 70
Others: approx. 65

Marine life found in this area

Coral Spawning

Picture of the spawning of coral

Every June in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium our coral colonies spawn eggs and sperm.
Coral spawning occurs during the night time, when the Aquarium is closed to visitors, but we always video the event for you to see!
The fertilized eggs produced by our Aquarium are returned to the Okinawan Sea, where they have a chance to grow up into corals.

Video of the Coral Sea tank

Please install the newest version of Adobe Flash Player to watch the video.
Download Flash Player

Programs of The Coral Sea Tank

A look at the explanatory talk

Here you get a chance to listen explanation the various species of coral, their characteristics, and about the many creatures surrounding coral reefs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our staff.

Explanation of the tank
10:30 / 12:30 / 14:30

Must-see Points

Picture of a blue-spotted rayFind the hidden marine life
There are many species of fish whose names are not listed on the board.
Not only are there coral, but also many other sea creatures inhabiting the sand and coral environs. Take a look for the rare species that are hard to spot. Feel free to ask the staff when you don't know the name of the fish you've found.
Picture of a spanner crabThe most popular hidden creature is the spanner crab.
A popular creature to spot, hiding in The Coral Sea tank, is the spanner crab. Surprisingly this crab walks forward instead of backwards! If you are lucky, you may be able to see the crab in the early-evening (after 3:30 PM).
See if you can find one the next time you visit here in the early-evening.

Churaumi Column

The look of the tank varies according to the time of day (Flash)
The look of the tank varies according to the time of day.
As the Coral Sea tank has no roof, the appearance of the tank will vary according to the time of day. As morning, day and night come and go at the tank, the behavior of the marine creatures inhabiting the tank changes as well. During the evening and at night nocturnal animals become active.

 

*Please note that there are reading mistake.