Lagoon
Get Tropical
A swirl of vibrant, Day-Glo color. Swishing tails, fluttering fins. Leopard prints, neon yellow stripes, hot orange lips. It’s a balmy, tropical world in the Lagoon, with fish and and an eel swimming in a sandy, Indo-Pacific reef.
The South Pacific Aquarium is temporarily closed for restoration and repair of critical animal-care structures, habitats and life-support systems. Our goal is to extend the life of this aging, saltwater aquarium for another two decades and care for ocean animals into the future. Read more here.
Swim into the Lagoon
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Wrasse
Time to clean up.
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Wrasse come in many shapes, colors and sizes, from 3 inches to 8 feet.
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Some maintain cleaning stations for other fish, removing parasites and dead tissue.
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Tang tails
Slashing, slicing
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Tangs are oval shaped fish with a sharp spine at the base of their tails.
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It can slash intruders or be as exact as a surgeon's scalpel.
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Angelfish
It's all about looks.
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Angelfish have bright color patterns they use to identify threats to their territory.
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Young fish look different from adults so they can swim nearby without being chased.
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A Plastic Ocean?
THE THREAT: By 2050, scientists predict that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Plastic trash builds up on land and, despite our best efforts, eventually blows or washes out to sea, where it chokes and starves marine animals.
HOW TO HELP: Reduce your use of plastic. Choose reusable items like lunch wrappings and water bottles; say no to straws and extra packaging. Help protect our ocean.
Aquarium Stories
After 32 hardworking years, the popular South Pacific Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium needs some love. On November 15, the aquarium will close for restoration and repair of critical animal-care structures, habitats and life support systems, to reopen in 2023 with exciting new species, upgraded systems and immersive South Pacific-themed art. “This is … Continued
What better way to go back-to-school than at an aquarium? Here at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, we have two huge aquariums to choose from, with schools of fish to make any Dr. Seuss fan happy! Here’s our version of the familiar classic. Read, then come and meet all the characters in real life, at … Continued
After a week of public voting, fans chose Gertie as the name for the new giant Pacific octopus in the Pacific Seas Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The name was one of six names chosen by aquarists. Over 7,100 votes came in online during the week, and the race was close. Gertie topped … Continued
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