Rainbow Reef

Rainbow Reef beautifully recreates the warm and inviting coral seas of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Here you can enjoy the kaleidoscope of fish that flash around their idyllic home, and learn more about their precious but endangered habitats.

Sometimes called rainforests of the sea, coral reefs are rich in life, with a variety of organisms that is rarely equaled. The structure of a reef lends itself to creating not just one habitat, but thousands of micro-habitats, and often exhibit extraordinary adaptations and specialist lifestyles.

FEATURED SPECIES

Picasso Triggerfish

The Picasso Triggerfish, also known as humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, is the state fish of Hawaii. Triggerfish are named for their dorsal fin which they raise and lower at will, often using it to wedge themselves into tight crevices when they are threatened.

Harlequin Tuskfish

Harlequin Tuskfish can be identified by their bright blue-lined orange bands and their four sharp, protruding teeth are perfect for tearing into hard-shelled invertebrates.

Batfish

These large, easy to spot Batfish share both a name and colours with Batman himself! While they are welcome members of the Ripley’s family, Batfish are considered invasive and aggressive fish. Adults are often seen in small schools, searching for prey such as small fish and invertebrates.

Unicorn Surgeonfish

Unicorns do exist at Ripley’s Aquarium! Although not all unicorn fish have “horns” on top of their foreheads, male “horns” tend to be a little bigger. Instead of using these appendages for defence, surgeonfish use sharp spines at the base of their tail that are said to be as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel!

Porcupine Fish

With big eyes and great smiles, the porcupine fish always draw a crowd at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada! When feeling threatened, the fish will fill up with water or air to grow three times its normal body size, causing its spines to stick out and make it difficult to eat. Porcupine fish have large mouths with strong teeth to help them feed on hard-shelled animals like crabs, snails, sea urchins, and sea jellies.

Blue Tang

The blue tang is one of nine species of tangs and can be found in clear waters and coral reefs across the Pacific and Indian oceans. They look harmless but can raise sharp and venomous spines on their tails to protect themselves and stab predators. The blue tang eats algae from coral reefs, which helps prevent an overgrowth of algae that could suffocate and kill coral.

FUN FACTS

• At over 200,000 litres, Rainbow Reef is home to over 100 species of fish, making it our most bio-diverse exhibit at the aquarium!

• Coral reef conservation is imperative to the survival of all the species that call Rainbow Reef home. Learn about what our staff are doing in the field to conserve and protect coral reefs in the wild by clicking here.

Dive Shows + Aquarist Talks

Swim by for a scheduled Dive Show to watch our divers with the animals or check out an Aquarist Talk to meet our husbandry team! You’ll have the chance to ask all your questions and maybe even see a live feeding!

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