This exhibit has ended.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium will be holding an “Observe coral eggs and larvae” exhibit on Saturday, May 18th.
We will be showing video clips of spawning and displaying young corals that were born and reared at the aquarium.
Take the opportunity to visit us and see this exhibit that is only available during this season.

Time and Date

From May 18th (Sat) to June 30th (Sun), 2019
（During aquarium opening hours）

Place

In front of The Coral Sea tank inside the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
※You can’t see the corals spawning. Also, the coral eggs and larvae displayed will be specimens.
(If spawning happens in the tank during the period of the exhibit, living larvae specimens will be displayed)

Fee

Free (Except entry fees to the Aquarium)

[Broadcast spawning of corals]
Every year in Okinawa, spawning of corals (species of Acropora) can be seen from May to June, before and after the Spring tide.
The 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.

[Coral larvae / Attachment]
After 2 to 3 days, a fertilized egg will transform into a planula larva that will swim freely for around one week, and then settle.
 After attachment it will remain in that place for the rest of its life.
The purple tipped Acropora is just 1mm across when it settles and only has one polyp, but after one year, it will grow to 30mm, and after two years it will grow to 70mm.