< View All Exhibits

Rainbow Rock

Marvel at this kaleidoscope of dazzling, warm-water fish as they zip in and out of their Indo-Pacific-inspired coral reef.

What Will You Discover?

Spot thousands of intricately colored fish from the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean! Joke with the clown triggerfish, find the blade on each side of the regal blue tang's tail, check out the venomous yellow spines of the foxface rabbitfish, and more as these rainbow-inspired beauties navigate a delicate reef. 

Flame Angelfish Flame Angelfish

Flame Angelfish

Typically found in pairs or small groups of 3-7 fish called harems, flame angelfish spend most of their day on the outer reef slope, darting from rock to rock in search of algae and tiny crustaceans.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 6 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Algae, plankton, crustaceans

Did You Know?

Flame angelfish are among the most popular marine aquarium species due to their small size and stunning coloration.

Powderblue Tang Powderblue Tang

Powderblue Tang

The powderblue tang may be found individually or in large shoals, utilizing its beak-like mouth to scrape algae from the reef.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 9 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Although the powderblue tang can be found in large groups when food is plentiful, when food is scarce, they are ruthlessly aggressive toward their own species with encounters resulting in severe lacerations or even death.

Clown Tang Clown Tang

Clown Tang

The clown tang is a large and charismatic species in perpetual motion, constantly scouring reef crest surge zones for algae, sometimes in very shallow water.

Diet

Algae

Size

Up to 15 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Mature clown tangs are fiercely territorial and defend the algae found in their territory from other grazing fish.

Blonde Naso Tang Blonde Naso Tang

Blonde Naso Tang

Blonde naso tang can be easily identified by their orange lips and bright yellow dorsal fins and are typically found patrolling the reef and nibbling on algae. They are distinguished from their almost identical relative to the east, the naso tang, by their dorsal fins, which are yellow instead of black.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 18 inches

Diet

Algae, zooplankton

Range

Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea

Did You Know?

Unlike many other tang species that have retractable spines at the base of their tail, naso tang tail spines are very large and fixed in an open position.

Vlamingii Tang Vlamingii Tang

Vlamingii Tang

The vlamingii tang is frequently found aggregating in schools, feeding on zooplankton around the shallower areas of deep slopes and drop-offs.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 24 inches

Diet

Algae, zooplankton

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Using special skin cells called chromatophores, the vlamingii tang has the ability to quickly and dramatically change its color from pale to brilliant to dark, depending on mood or environment. When trying to impress a female or assert dominance, the male will flash with brilliant metallic blue lines and spots.

Sailfin Tang Sailfin Tang

Sailfin Tang

The sailfin tang can be found alone but also in large groups in areas where algae is plentiful. A pointed mouth and rasp-like teeth allow the sailfin to forage in crevices where other fish can't quite reach.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 16 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Named for the spectacular sail-like dorsal and anal fins, the sailfin tang usually keeps its massive fins folded back unless threatened or otherwise excited.

Achilles Tang Achilles Tang

Achilles Tang

The Achilles tang is a strikingly beautiful species typically found in shallow water with lots of surge where algae is plentiful.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 10 inches

Range

South and central Pacific Ocean

Did You Know?

Though the name Achilles comes from the Greek mythical hero who was killed by a single arrow to the back of his heel, the red spot on the Achilles tang is far from defenseless, harboring a blade-like spine on both sides which can be extended when threatened.

Bluering Angelfish Bluering Angelfish

Bluering Angelfish

The bluering angelfish are typically found in pairs defending a territory around the size of a one-car garage. Juveniles stick close to the surface in dense coral cover, while adults may be found deeper down the reef slope.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 18 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Algae, sponge, tunicates, zooplankton

Did You Know?

Like many members of this genus, the bluering angelfish undergoes a complete color transformation from the juvenile to the adult stage.

Emperor Angelfish Emperor Angelfish

Emperor Angelfish

Perhaps the most recognizable marine angelfish, the emperor angelfish is an iconic species on the reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. These fish will aggressively defend their territories, especially against another male angelfish.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 16 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Algae, sponge, tunicates, zooplankton

Did You Know?

Adult emperor angelfish look so different from juvenile emperor angelfish they were thought to be an entirely different species until the 1930s.

Convict Tang Convict Tang

Convict Tang

The convict tang is an active species that may be found in massive groups, hundreds strong in areas where algae are plentiful. Juveniles may be found alone or in small groups in shallow water.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 10 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

The convict tang has a white or pale green body with six black vertical stripes, similar to the uniform of a prison inmate.

Flame Hawkfish Flame Hawkfish

Flame Hawkfish

The flame hawkfish can typically be found perched on the branches of dense branching corals. This gives the fish a hawkish good view as its name suggests, but also a quick escape into the coral branches if danger arises.

Diet

Crustaceans

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 3.5 inches

Range

Western Pacific Ocean

Did You Know?

Despite being poor swimmers due to the lack of a swim bladder, flame hawkfish use their hefty pectoral fins to maneuver themselves around.

Foxface Rabbitfish Foxface Rabbitfish

Foxface Rabbitfish

Mature Foxface Rabbitfish are usually solitary animals, scouring the reef with their rasp-like teeth to scrape algae from rocks. When threatened, this fish can dramatically change color from its usual bright yellow to dark brown.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 10 inches

Diet

Algae, zooplankton

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Rabbitfish spines contain a venom similar to that of a stonefish.

Pakistani Butterflyfish Pakistani Butterflyfish

Pakistani Butterflyfish

The Pakistani butterflyfish can often be found in pairs, utilizing their pointed mouths to pluck coral polyps from the reef.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 7 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Diet

Coral polyps, worms, crustaceans

Did You Know?

Abundant butterflyfish are a good indicator of reef health, as they require large expanses of healthy coral to thrive.

Harlequin Tuskfish Harlequin Tuskfish

Harlequin Tuskfish

The harlequin tuskfish is a stunning and inquisitive fish, often deliberately cruising the reef, using its orbital eyes, which can be moved independently to examine its surroundings.

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 12 inches

Range

Western Pacific Ocean

Diet

Crustaceans, mollusks, worms

Did You Know?

The harlequin tuskfish is actually a member of the Wrasse family. Despite its large blue teeth and ferocious appearance, this fish is quite shy and peaceful, unless you're a crustacean!

Purple Tang Purple Tang

Purple Tang

Like all members of this genus, purple tang spend their day picking filamentous algae off surfaces using their toothed, elongated, and pointed mouths and shelter in coral crevices at night.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 14 inches

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Did You Know?

Just in front of the retractable spine at the base of their tail, mature male purple tang have a small patch of stiff bristle-like scales called setae.

Red Lionfish Red Lionfish

Red Lionfish

Red lionfish are formidable hunters, engulfing their prey in one lightning-fast strike and swallowed whole. Documented to consume more than 50 species of fish, a lionfish's stomach is as big as their appetite, able to expand up to 30 times its regular size!

Size

Up to 15 inches

Diet

Fish, crustaceans

Venomous

18 venomous spines

Range

Indo-Pacific region

Habitat

Coral and rocky reefs

Did You Know?

Due to either purposeful or accidental human introduction, red lionfish are now an established invasive species in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Their huge appetites coupled with a lack of natural predators have created an ecological disaster, devastating native fish populations.

Tomini Tang Tomini Tang

Tomini Tang

The tomini tang is smaller and more peaceful than many other members of its family, making it a popular species for the home aquarium. This fish uses its bristle-like teeth to scrape algae from rocks.

Diet

Algae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Size

Up to 6 inches

Range

Central and Western Pacific Ocean

Did You Know?

The name tomini tang may refer to Tomini Bay in Indonesia, suggesting that this species might have been first identified or is prevalent in that region.

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby

What's Inside

Exhibits Nearby

Rio Amazon

Step into one of the oldest living ecosystems on the planet to discover arapaima, piranhas, caimans, and more!

Meet the Species
undefined / undefined