The coral that was born during the daytime in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has become a parent, and we are proud to announce that on the 24th of May 2024, around 14:47, it successfully spawned.

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  Spawning during daytime①

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  Spawning during daytime②

【Spawning, the releasing of sperm and eggs, during daytime】
During spawning, corals (Acropora stony corals) release bundles which are pink, 1 mm in diameter, capsules filled with eggs and sperm. These bundles burst once they reach the surface, and the eggs fertilize. Most of the stony corals that inhabit the waters near Okinawa Main Island are known to spawn a few hours after sunset near a full moon between May and June. We have many requests from visitors to see this spawning, however as the spawning usually takes place at night, it was not possible for visitors to witness a spawning event. Therefore, in 2020, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium developed a technique to shift the coral’s spawning hours by adjusting the lighting in the tanks. This has allowed us to successfully exhibit the corals spawning during daytime, and to do so in every subsequent year. This year, the coral that was born in this tank in 2020 has grown to maturity, and has also successfully spawned.

Date and time of occurrence

May 24th, 2024  at approximately 14:47（Staghorn coral）
May 25th, 2024 at approximately 14:40 （Parts of Acropora hyacinthus & Staghorn coral）

Place of spawning

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium  "Coral Reef Gallery"

Spawned coral

English name： Staghorn coral　　
Scientific name： Acropora microphthalma

English name：　-　
Scientific name：Acropora hyacinthus