Guinean puffer. Sphoeroides marmoratus. (2007) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
In the Aquarium there is always something new to discover, like a fish that swims slowly and hides among the algae, another that inflates to take the shape of a balloon or even the one that peeks out from behind a rock.
Undulate ray. Raja undulata. (2021) by Paulo BeatoAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
Rays may hide under the sand, but they also swim waving their large pectoral fins, which resemble wings.
Undulate ray eggs. Raja undulata. (2019) by Fátima GilAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
In the Aquarium, the mating and development of the Undulate ray (Raja undulata) eggs were studied, and several specimens have already been released into the wild.
Lesser spotted dogfish eggs. Scyliorhinus canicula. (2021) by Marco Frade FerreiraAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) eggs are protected by tough egg-cases with long tendrils that twine around seaweeds, rocks, etc.
Many Lesser spotted dogfish have been born at the Vasco da Gama Aquarium and later released into the wild.
Zebra seabream. Diplodus cervinus (2007) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
There are several Seabream species, but the Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) is the one who is most easily recognized.
Tub gurnard. Chelidonichthys lucerna. (2007) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna) has three isolated rays on the pectoral fin which function as legs and help in locating food on the soft bottom.
Dusky grouper. Epinephelus marginatus. (2009) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The adult Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) is solitary and territorial. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite species, reaching its first sexual maturity as female at five years and becoming male after ten years.
Long-snouted seahorse. Hippocampus guttulatus. (2007) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Long-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus) inhabits in shallow waters among algae and eel grass.
The female deposits her eggs on the brood pouch of the male which is found under the tail. Young are expelled from the pouch measuring 1.5 cm after 3 weeks of incubation.
Grey triggerfish. Balistes capriscus. (2021) by Paulo BeatoAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) lives in rocky areas near the coast forming small shoals. The adults build and guard their nests on the bottom substrate. The eggs hatch within 48-55 hours.
Longspined snipefish. Macroramphosus scolopax. (2007) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Longspine snipefish (Macroramphosus scolopax) is a schooling fish found over sandy bottoms. It swims in vertical position with the snout downwards and feeds on zooplankton.
Its reproductive behavior was observed and described for the first time at the Vasco da Gama Aquarium.
Boarfish. Capros aper. (2021) by Paulo BeatoAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Boarfish (Capros aper) is a schooling species, that lives over rocky bottoms up to 600 meters depth. Males are smaller than females.
Lusitanian toadfish. Halobatrachus didactylus. (2009) by Comandante Rocha TrindadeAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
The Lusitanian toadfish (Halobatrachus didactylus), partly buries himself in the sand or hides in rock crevices.
It may communicate with fish of the same species through sounds that make up a repertoire used by males to attract females during the breeding season.
Swallowtail seaperch. Anthias anthias. (2021) by Paulo BeatoAquário Vasco da Gama, where the dive begins
And there is so much more to discover in the Aquarium's saltwater galleries. Come visit us and let yourself be amazed by the beauty and mystery of life on the Portuguese coast.
We believe that a close encounter with animals can inspire everyone's desire to protect the natural world.
