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2019.06.06
18 consecutive years of coral spawning since the opening of The Coral Sea tank! On June 3rd, broadcast spawning of corals was confirmed!
On June 3rd, in the first year of the Reiwa era, broadcast spawning of corals took place in The Coral Sea tank of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium!
Broadcast spawning in The Coral Sea tank- 【Broadcast spawning of corals】
Species of Acropora corals release capsules called bundles that contain eggs and sperm. When these capsules burst on the surface of the sea, the contents mix, and the eggs are fertilized.
【Broadcast spawning within The Coral Sea tank】
Broadcast spawning has taken place each year, 18 consecutive times, since The Coral Sea tank was created. (The first time was in the run up to opening of the aquarium in June 2002.) This phenomenon is unique to this aquarium as it has natural sunlight and seawater.
Time and date of spawning
Monday June 3rd, first year of the Reiwa era (2019) at approximately 22:30~23:30
Staghorn coral and others
Place of spawning
The Coral Sea tank inside the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
Indications of coral spawning- Species of Acropora coral in waters around Okinawa usually spawn between May and June around the full moon. However, it is difficult to predict the exact time when spawning takes place as it is thought to be determined by several external factors.
During this season the staff of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium observe the coral every night in order not to miss the indications of spawning.
Pink capsules called bundles that are around 1mm in diameter become visible on the polyps and after a few hours these bundles are released. The tank is filled with the many pink eggs produced by the corals.
The seedling corals (staghorn corals) that aquarium visitors planted in March also spawned.
Inquiries
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
905-0206
424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
TEL:+81-980-48-3748
FAX:+81-980-48-4444
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