Northwest_FIsh_Keeping
Well-Known Member
Southern California's Largest Aquarium, and their collection definitely backs that title up. It's been a long time since I've been able to visit, and after seeing some various pictures about the species, I was too interested in compiling a species list (especially since there isn't one on the site already). This definitely solidifies my belief that California has the best collection of aquariums in the country (Between Monterey Bay, Cal Academy / Steinhart, and AOP as the Big 3 in the state).
*Note* This isn't a 100% complete species list, there's probably a few species I missed since there's so much diversity, and most notably I don't write down all of the Coral, Algae, and Plant species names. Mainly because most of the corals are very common species you'll find in the aquarium hobby so I just briefly mention them. The only time I mention them is if they're something noteworthy. Also every time there's a space between a species, it means that it's a different tank.
*Key*
The Lobby | The center / lobby of the aquarium is scattered with a couple different displays that are actually really impressive. They don't belong to any of the galleries, they're just kind of there in the open.
Coral Reef Tank
Shark Touch Pool
Molina Animal Care Center | The Aquarium's holding pool, the animals rotate depending on who needs some care at that time. There is also a small tank next to it that focuses on ornamental aquaculture.
Today I saw:
Tropical Pacific Gallery (1st half) | Mainly focusing on species from the Indo-Pacific and Australia, the reason I put "1st half" is because the "Frogs!" gallery interrupts it in the middle, then continues on with the rest of the Tropical Pacific.
Babies!
*Note* This isn't a 100% complete species list, there's probably a few species I missed since there's so much diversity, and most notably I don't write down all of the Coral, Algae, and Plant species names. Mainly because most of the corals are very common species you'll find in the aquarium hobby so I just briefly mention them. The only time I mention them is if they're something noteworthy. Also every time there's a space between a species, it means that it's a different tank.
*Key*
- If a species name is in Green, it means that they're on exhibit, but not signed (you'll see that a lot)
- If a species name is in Red, it means they're signed, but weren't on exhibit (from what I could tell)
- If a species name is in Blue, it means that it's the only one of it's species in captivity in the world (very unique case with this aquarium because they've got some insanely old species who are the only one of their kind in captivity).
The Lobby | The center / lobby of the aquarium is scattered with a couple different displays that are actually really impressive. They don't belong to any of the galleries, they're just kind of there in the open.
Coral Reef Tank
- Foxface Rabbitfishes | Siganus vulpinus
- Powder Blue Tangs | Acanthurus leucosternon
- Square Spot Anthias' | Pseudanthias pleurotaenia
- Naso Tangs | Naso litratus
- Manybary Goatfishes | Parupeneus multifasciatus
- Various Monitpora coral species
- China Rockfishes | Sebastes nebulosus
- Vermillion Rockfishes | Sebastes miniatus
- Tiger Rockfishes | Sebastes nigrocinctus
- Wolf Eel | Anarrhichthys ocellatus
- Cabezon | Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
- Fish Eating Anemones | Urticina piscivora
- Painted Anemones | Urticina crassicornis
- Leather Stars | Dermasterias imbricata
- Shortspined Stars | Pisaster brevispinus
- Leopard Sharks | Triakis semifasciata
- Bat Rays | Myliobatis californica
- Giant Sea Bass' | Stereolepis gigas
- California Sheephead | Bodianus pulcher
- Salema(s) | Xenistius californianus
- Kelp Bass | Paralabrax clathratus
- White Seabass | Atractoscion nobilis
- Xantic Sargo | Anisotremus davidsonii
- Opaleye(s) | Girella nigricans
- Blacksmith(s) | Chromis punctipinnis
- Halfmoon(s) | Medialuna californiensis
- Senorita(s) | Oxyjulis californica
- Leopard Shark | Triakis semifasciata
- Horn Shark | Heterodontus francisci
- Garibaldis | Hypsypops rubicundus
- Senorita(s) | Oxyjulis californica
- Black Rockfishes | Sebastes melanops
- Blue Rockfishes | Sebastes mystinus
- Giant Kelp | Macrocystis pyrifera
- Bat Stars | Patiria miniata
- White Abalone(s) | Haliotis sorenseni
- Silver Shiner Perch (juveniles) | Cymatogaster aggregata
- various species of algae
- California Spiny Lobster(s) | Panulirus interruptus
- California Scorpionfish | Scorpaena guttata
- California Moray Eel (juvenile) | Gymnothorax mordax
- California Two-Spot Octopus | Octopus bimaculoides
- Bat Stars | Patiria miniata
- various species of algae
- Catalina Gobies | Lythrypnus dalli
- Strawberry Anemones | Corynactis californica
- various species of algae
- Un-ID'd purple Coral or Invertebrate
- Eccentric Sand Dollars | Dendraster excentricus
- Sarcastic Fringehead | Neoclinus blanchardi
- Strawberry Anemones | Corynactis californica
- various species of algae |
- Garibaldi | Hypsypops rubicundus
- Blacksmith(s) | Chromis punctipinnis
- Strawberry Anemones | Corynactis californica
- Plumose Anemones | Metridium spp.
- Giant Rock Scallops | Crassadoma gigantea
- California Mussels | Mytilus californianus
- Painted Greenling | Oxylebius pictus
- Chilipepper Rockfish | Sebastes goodei
- Halfbanded Rockfish | Sebastes semicinctus
- California Hydrocoral | Stylaster californicus
- California Golden Gorgonians | Muricea californica
- Colonial Cup Coral | Coenocyathus bowersi
- Giant Kelpfish | Heterostichus rostratus
- Silver Shinerperches | Cymatogaster aggregata
- Topsmelts | Atherinops affinis
- Horn Shark | Heterodontus francisci
- Senorita | Oxyjulis californica
- English Sole | Parophrys vetulus
- Bay Blenny | Hypsoblennius gentilis
- Japanese Sea Nettles | Chrysaora pacifica
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron | Nyctanassa violacea
- Banded Archerfishes | Toxotes jaculatrix
- Red Mangroves | Rhizophora mangle
- Indian Mudskippers | Periophthalmus novemradiatus
- Red Mangroves | Rhizophora mangle
- Greater Moon Jellies | Aurelia labiata
- Coconut Lorikeets | Trichoglossus haematodus 'haematodus'
- Edward's Lorikeets | Tricoglossus haematodus 'capistratus'
- Swainson's Lorikeets | Trichoglossus haematodus 'moluccanus'
Shark Touch Pool
- Brown Banded Bamboo Sharks | Chiloscyllium punctatum
- White Spotted Bamboo Sharks | Chiloscyllium plagiosum
- Epaulette Sharks | Hemiscyllium ocellatium
- Blue Hippo Tangs | Paracanthurus hepatus
- Red Mangroves | Rhizophora mangle
- Cownose Rays | Rhinoptera sp. (Signage says R. bonasus but apparently they may be R. steindachneri , no one knows for sure)
- Blue Spotted Ribbontail Rays | Taeniura lymma
- Fiddler Ray | Trygonorrhina fasciata
- Horseshoe Crabs | Limulus polyphemus
- Sailfin Tang | Zebrasoma veliferum
- Blue Hippo Tang | Paracanthurus hepatus
- Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Blacktip Reef Sharks | Carcharhinus melanopterus
- Grey Reef Sharks | Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
- Sand Bar Shark | Carcharhinus plumbeus
- Zebra Sharks | Stegastoma tigrinum
- Reticulate Whipray | Himantura uarnak (the largest fish at the Aquarium)
- Mangrove Whipray | Urogymnus granulatus
- Unicorn Tangs | Naso unicornis
- Humpnose Unicorn Tangs | Naso tonganus
- Vlamingii Tangs | Naso vlamingii
- Sailfin Tangs | Zebrasoma veliferum
- Yellowback Fusiliers | Casio cunning
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | Lepidochelys olivacea
- Southern California Steelhead | Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Redear Sunfish | Lepomis microlophus
Molina Animal Care Center | The Aquarium's holding pool, the animals rotate depending on who needs some care at that time. There is also a small tank next to it that focuses on ornamental aquaculture.
Today I saw:
- Cownose Rays | Rhinoptera sp
- Ocellated Eagle Ray | Aetobatus ocellatus
- Southern Stingray | Hypanus americanus
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | Lepidochelys olivacea
- Green Sea Turtle | Chelonia mydas
- Lightning Maroon Clownfish | Premnas biaculeatus
- Lemonpeel Angelfish | Centropyge flavissima
- Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Powder Blue Tang | Acanthurus leucosternon
- Yellow Belly Damselfish | Pomacentrus auriventris
- Arceye Hawkfish | Paracirrhites arcatus
- various Stony Corals such as Montipora, Chalices, Staghorn, etc
- Spotted Garden Eels | Heteroconger hassi
- Splendid Garden Eels | Gorgasia preclara
- Barberfish | Johnrandallia nigrirostris
- Panamic Porkfish | Anisotremus taeniatus
- Longnose Butterflyfish | Forcipiger flavissimus
- Cortez Rainbow Wrasse | Thalassoma lucasanum
- Three Banded Butterflyfish | Chaetodon robustus
- Giant Porcupinefish | Diodon hystrix
- Golden Guineafowl Puffer | Arothron meleagris
- Porcupine Puffer | Diodon holocanthus
- Convict Tangs | Acanthurus triostegus
- King Angelfish | Holacanthus passer
- Barberfish | Johnrandallia nigrirostris
- Popeye Catalufa | Pristigenys serrula
- Cortez Angelfish | Pomacanthus zonipectus
- Yellowtail Surgeonfish | Prionurus punctatus
- Mexican Lookdowns | Selene brevoortii
- Cortez Rainbow Wrasse | Thalassoma lucasanum
- Giant Damselfish | Microspathodon dorsalis
- Stone Triggerfish | Pseudobalistes naufragium
- Pacific Spadefish | Chaetodipterus zonatus
- Pacific Sergent Major | Abudefduf troschelii
- Panamic Soldierfish | Myripristis leiognathus
- California Salema | Xenistius californiensis
- Mexican Hogfish | Bodianus diplotaenia
- Longnose Butterflyfish | Forcipiger flavissimus
- Panamic Porkfish | Anisotremus taeniatus
- Canary Rockfishes | Sebastes pinniger
- Widow Rockfishes | Sebastes entomelas
- Bocaccio Rockfishes | Sebastes paucispinis
- China Rockfishes | Sebastes nebulosus
- Fish Eating Anemones | Urticina piscivora
- Bat Stars | Patiria miniata
- Giant Green Anemones | Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Bull Kelp | Nereocystis luetkeana
- Shiner Surfperches | Cymatogaster aggregata
- Pile Perches | Rhacochilus vacca
- Walleye Surfperches | Hyperprosopon argenteum
- Striped Surfperches | Embiotoca lateralis
- Ochre Stars | Pisaster ochraceus
- Painted Anemones | Urticina crassicornis
- Giant Green Anemones | Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Bull Kelp | Nereocystis luetkeana
- Flower Hat Jellies | Olindias formosus
- Beroe Comb Jellies | Beroe sp. (most likely Beroe cucumis)
- Egg Yolk Jellies | Phacellophora camtschatica
- Warty Comb Jellies | Mnemiopsis leidyi
- Pacific Sea Nettles | Chrysaora fuscescens
- Horned Puffins | Fratercula corniculata
- Pigeon Guillemots | Cepphus columba
- Crested Auklet | Aethia cristatella (unfortunately I didn't see the lone male anywhere, he could've been hiding but considering he's also 26 / 27 years old, could also be deceased. I didn't get a chance to ask a keeper though, so I won't mark them as deceased).
- Giant Pacific Octopus | Enteroctopus dofleini
- Painted Anemones | Urticina crassicornis
- (I didn't get a chance to look at the touch pool, but it contained various anemones, sea stars, algae, etc)
- Southern Sea Otters | Enhydra lutris nereis
- California Yellowtail | Seriola dorsalis
- Spiny King Crab | Paralithodes californiensis
- Brown Box Crab | Echidnocerus foraminatus
- Armed Box Crab | Platymera gaudichaudii
- Spot Prawns | Pandalus platyceros
- Vermillion Stars | Mediaster aequalis
- Blood Stars | Henricia leviuscula
- Vermillion Rockfish | Sebastes miniatus
- Boccacio Rockfish | Sebastes paucispinis
- Blackeye Goby | Coryphoterus nicholsii
- various species of algae
- Sailfin Sculpin | Nautichthys oculofasciatus
- Longfin Sculpin | Jordania zonope
- Threespine Sticklebacks | Gasterosteus aculeatus
- Tubesnouts | Aulorhynchus flavidus
- Bull Kelp | Nereocystis luetkeana
- Longspine Combfish | Zaniolepis latipinnis
- Shortspine Combfish | Zaniolepis frenata
- Tube Dwelling Anemones | Pachycerianthus fimbriatus
- Fragile Pink Urchins | Strongylocentrotus fragilis
- Basket Star | Gorgonocephalus eucnemis
- Feather Stars | Florometra serratissima
- Pelagic Red Crab | Grimothea planipes
- various species of Sponge
- California Seahares | Aplysia californica
- Grunt Sculpin | Rhamphocottus richardsonii
- Orange Seapens | Ptilosarcus gurneyi
- Pacific Spiny Lumpsuckers | Eumicrotremus orbis
- Japanese Giant Spider Crabs | Macrocheira kaempferi
- Giantspined Sea Stars | Pisaster giganteus
- Giant Plumose Anemones | Metridium farcimen
- Magellanic Penguins | Spheniscus magellanicus
- California Sea Lions | Zalophus californianus
- Harbor Seals | Phoca vitulina
- Black Necked Stilt | Himantopus mexicanus
- Buffleheads | Bucephala albeola
- Pied-billed Grebe | Podilymbus podiceps
- American Avocet | Recurvirostra americana
- Willet | Tringa semipalmata
- White-faced Ibis | Plegadis chihi
- Killdeer | Charadrius vociferus
- Topsmelt | Atherinops affinis
- Black Perch | Embiotoca jacksoni
- Shiner Surfperch | Cymatogaster aggregata
- English Sole | Parophrys vetulus
- Bat Rays | Myliobatis californica
- Diamond Ray | Dasyatis dipterura
- Pelagic Ray (juvenile) | Pteroplatytrygon violacea
- Shovelnose Guitarfish | Rhinobatos productus
- California Round Ray | Urobatis halleri
- White Sturgeon | Acipenser transmonatus
Tropical Pacific Gallery (1st half) | Mainly focusing on species from the Indo-Pacific and Australia, the reason I put "1st half" is because the "Frogs!" gallery interrupts it in the middle, then continues on with the rest of the Tropical Pacific.
- Banded Archerfish | Toxotes jaculatrix
- Longhorn Cowfish | Lactoria cornuta
- Clark's Clownfish | Amphiprion clarkii
- Yellowtail Fusiliers | Casio cunning
- Manybar Goatfish | Parupeneus multifasciatus
- Goldsaddle Goatfish | Parupeneus cyclostomus
- Sailfin Tang | Zebrasoma veliferum
- Powder Blue Tang | Acanthurus leucosternon
- Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Blue Hippo Tang | Paracanthurus hepatus
- Green Bird Wrasse | Gomphosus varius
- various Soft Corals and Bubbletip Anemones
- Lyretail Anthias | Pseudanthias squamipinnis
- Sunburst Anthias | Serranocirrhitus latus
- Purple Queen Anthias | Pseudanthias tuka
- Square Spot Anthias | Pseudanthias pleurotaenia
- Copperband Butterflyfish | Chelmon rostratus
- Maroon Clownfish | Premnas biaculeatus
- Tomato Clownfish | Amphiprion frenatus
- Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Chocolate Tang | Acanthurus pyroferus
- Black Tang | Zebrasoma rostratum
- Epaulette Tang | Acanthurus nigricauda
- Doubleband Tang | Acanthurus tennenti
- Foxface Rabbitfish | Siganus vulpinus
- Candycane Squirrelfish | Sargocentron sp.
- Aptasia Eating Filefish | Acreichthys tomentosus
- Golden Assessor Basslet | Assessor flavissimus
- Green Mandarin Dragonette | Synchiropus splendidus
- various Stony corals such as Staghorn, Monitpora, Pagoda, Acropora, Pavona, etc
- (The list for this tank was given to me by a friend who works on this tank at the Aquarium since none of the species are signed)
- Pajama Cardinalfish | Sphaeramia nematoptera
- Doubleband Tang | Acanthurus tennenti
- various Stony corals such as Goniopora, Trachyphllia, Lobophyllia, Favia, et
- Prehensile Tailed Skink | Corucia zebrata
- Green & Black Poison Dart Frogs | Dendrobates auratus
- Blue Poison Dart Frogs | Dendrobates tinctorius
- Red Backed Poison Dart Frogs | Ranitomeya reticulata
- 'Cemetery' Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs | Oophaga pumilio bastimentos 'cemetery'
- Panamanian Golden Frogs | Atelopus zeteki
- Mossy Frogs | Theloderma corticale
- Kaiser's Mountain Newts | Neurergus kaiseri
- Magnificent Tree Frogs | Litoria splendida
- Sonoran Desert Toad | Incilius alvarius
- Smokey Jungle Frogs | Leptodactylus pentadactylus
- Golden Mantellas | Mantella aurantiaca
- Solomon Island Leaf Frogs | Ceratobatrachus guentheri (explicitly off exhibit)
- Clipperton Angelfish | Holacanthus limbaughi (The only one in captivity and at over 30 years old, it's very very old. The rarest animal at the aquarium without a doubt. Unfortunately it isn't signed, but it resides in the left side of the tunnel tank)
- Bluering Angelfish | Pomacanthus annularis
- Wedgetail Triggerfish | Rhinecanthus rectangulus
- Longnose Butterflyfish | Forcipiger flavissimus
- Sixbar Angelfish | Pomacanthus sexstriatus
- Semicircle Angelfish | Pomacanthus semicirculatus
- Longfin Bannerfish | Heniochus acuminatus
- Sunset Wrasse | Thalassoma grammaticum
- Flying Gurnard | Dactylopterus volitans
- Silver Monos | Monodactylus argenteus
- Monocle Breams | Scolopsis bilineata
- Achillies Tang | Acanthurus achilles
- Blue Line Snappers | Lutjanus kasmira
- Flagfin Angelfish | Apolemichthys trimaculatus
- Sailfin Tang | Zebrasoma veliferum
- Yellowtail Fusiliers | Casio cunning
- Scribbled Angelfish | Chaetodontoplus duboulayi
- Yellow Tangs | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Domino Damselfish | Dascyllus trimaculatus
- Coral Rabbitfish | Siganus corallinus
- Un-ID Rabbitfish Relative | ??
- Pink Tail Triggerfish | Melichthys vidua
- Orange Lined Triggerfish | Balistapus undulatus
- Orange Shoulder Tangs | Acanthurus olivaceus
- Clown Triggerfish | Balistoides conspicillum
- Gold Spotted Rabbitfish | Siganus punctatus
- Gold RIm Tangs | Acanthurus japonicus
- Panther Grouper | Cromileptes altivelis
- Harlequin Tusk | Choerodon fasciatus
- Yellow Eye Kole Tang | Ctenochaetus strigosus
- Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasse | Labroides dimidiatus
- Candycane Squirrelfish | Sargocentron sp.
- Grey Reef Sharks | Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
- Zebra Sharks | Stegastoma tigrinum
- Bonnethead Sharks | Sphyrna tiburo
- Ocellated Eagle Rays | Aetobatus ocellatus
- Cownose Rays | Rhinoptera sp
- Southern Stingray | Hypanus americanus
- Green Sea Turtle | Chelonia mydas
- Tessellate Moray Eel | Gymnothorax favagineus
- Indo-Pacific Tarpon | Megalops cyprinoides
- Napolean Wrasse | Cheilinus undulatus
- Slingjaw Wrasse | Epibulus insidiator
- Queensland Grouper | Epinephelus lanceolatus
- Coral Grouper | Cephalopholis miniata
- Spotted Unicorn Tangs | Naso brevirostris
- Bluespine Unicorn Tangs | Naso unicornis
- Humpnose Unicorn Tangs | Naso tonganus
- Sailfin Tangs | Zebrasoma veliferum
- Clown Tangs | Acanthurus lineatus
- Racoon Butterflyfishes | Chaetodon lunula
- Two-spot Banded Snapper |
- Golden Trevally | Gnathanodo speciosus
- Bluefin Trevally | Caranx melampygus
- Orbicular Batfish | Platax orbicularis
- Niger Triggerfish | Odonus niger
- Blue Hippo Tangs | Paracanthurus hepatus
- Yellowtail Fusiliers | Casio cunning
- Giant Sweetlips | Plectorhinchus albovittatus
- Eyestripe Tangs | Acanthurus dussumieri
- Doublespotted Queenfish | Scomberoides lysan
- Clarion Angelfish | Holacanthus clarionensis
- Goldflake Angelfish | Apolemichthys xanthopunctatus
- Emperor Angelfish | Pomacanthus imperator
- Annularis Angelfish | Pomacanthus annularis
- Quoy's Parrotfish | Scarus quoyi
- Spotted Parrotfish | Cetoscarus ocellatus
- Racoon Butterflyfish | Chaetodon lunula
- Threadfin Butterflyfish | Chaetodon auriga
- Blackspotted Puffer | Arothron nigropunctatus
- Black Pyramid Butterflyfish | Hemitaurichthys zoster
- Valentini Pufferfish | Canthigaster valentini
- Maxima Clams | Tridacna maxima
- Dwarf Cuttlefish | Sepia bandensis
- various soft corals
- White's Seahorses | Hippocampus whitei
- Yellow Seahorses | Hippocampus kuda
- Warty Frogfish | Antennarius maculatus
- Shaggy Frogfish | Antennarius hispidus
- Tropical Tube Dwelling Anemones | Cerianthus sp.
- Crinoid Feather Stars | Crinoid sp.
- Razorfish | Aeoliscus strigatus
- various Soft corals
- Longspine Cardinalfish | Zoramia leptacantha
- Split-fin Flashlight Fish | Anomalops katoptron
- various Stony and Soft corals
- Bellus Angelfish | Genicanthus bellus
- Sun Coral | Tubastrea faulkneri
- Black Sun Coral | Tubastrea micrantha
- Dendro Coral | Dendrophyllia sp.
- Rhizo Coral | Rhizotrochus typus (some of the only Rhizotrochus in the US as they're illegal to import)
- Wire Corals | Cihirripathes sp,
- Australian Spotted Lagoon Jellies | Phyllorhiza punctata
- Blue Spotted Mask Ray | Neotrygon kuhlii
- Australian Stripey's | Microcanthus strigatus
- Blue-Green Chromis | Chromis viridis
- various soft corals
- Silver Sweepers | Pempheris schwenkii
- various stony corals such as Acropora, Staghorn, Pocilliopora, etc
Babies!
- Japanese Sea Nettles (juveniles) | Chrysaora pacifica
- Greater Moon Jellies (various stages of development) | Aurelia labitata
- Lyertail Anthias | Pseudanthias squamipinnis
- Blue Hippo Tangs | Paracanthurus hepatus
- Yellow Tangs | Zebrasoma flavescens
- Coral Beauty Angelfish | Centropyge bispinosa
- Pakistan Butterflyfish | Chaetodon collare
- Blue Line Snappers | Lutjanus kasmira
- Coral Catsharks | Aetlomycterus marmoratus
- Epaulette Sharks | Hemiscyllium ocellatium
- Spotted Sweetlips (babies) | Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides
- Dusky Batfish (juvenile) | Platax pinnatus
- Zebra Shark egg cases
- Green Mandarin Dragonettes | Synchiropus splendidus
- White's Seahorses (babies) | Hippocampus whitei
- Purple Urchins (babies) | Strongylocentrotus sp.
- Bat Stars (babies) | Patiria miniata
- Pacific Spiny Lumpsuckers (juveniles) | Eumicrotremus orbis
- Tiger Salamander | Ambystoma tigrinum
- California Newt | Taricha torosa
- Western Green Toad | Anaxyrus debilis
- Pacific Tree Frog | Pseudacris regilla
- Mountain Yellow Legged Frogs | Rana muscosa
- Axolotls | Ambystoma mexicanum
I really like this aquarium, but one undeniable drawback is that they have unsigned fish *everywhere*.
