In this area, you can see a variety of freshwater fish, not just fish from Japan but also overseas fish from places such as Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. You will find a rich variety of fish in this area, such as a freshwater ray that is native to the Amazon, the enormous alligator gar with a face like an alligator, the barred mudskipper that jumps out of the water onto land, and mischievous fish of the knifefish and arowana families that from time to time startle visitors by splashing water. Especially popular is the feeding tank, where visitors can feed fish such as Japan’s national fish — the Japanese carp — with fish food bought from the vending machine (limited quantities only).
In this area, you can see a variety of freshwater fish, not just fish from Japan but also overseas fish from places such as Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. You will find a rich variety of fish in this area, such as a freshwater ray that is native to the Amazon, the enormous alligator gar with a face like an alligator, the barred mudskipper that jumps out of the water onto land, and mischievous fish of the knifefish and arowana families that from time to time startle visitors by splashing water. Especially popular is the feeding tank, where visitors can feed fish such as Japan’s national fish — the Japanese carp — with fish food bought from the vending machine (limited quantities only).
Main on display
Silver arowana
| Scientific name | Osteoglossum bicirrhosum |
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This species is found in the Amazon River and elsewhere in South America. It has a long, thin body, and at its largest it can sometimes be more than one meter long. Its large mouth opens upward, and it has two whiskers at the tip of its lower jaw. It feeds mainly on prey such as insects, members of the shrimp and crab families, and small fish.
White-blotched river stingray
| Scientific name | Potamotrygon leopoldi |
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This freshwater ray is found in the Amazon River in South America, and is known for its trademark black body and white spots. Its body does not have any scales for protection, but its tail has a poisoned stinger.
Red piranha
| Scientific name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
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This species has a body length of 20–30 centimeters. A beautiful species, with a green upper body and a bright red abdomen, the red piranha is also distributed as an ornamental fish. It is carnivorous, having sharp teeth, and is usually thought of as a fierce carnivore, but in fact it can also be nervous and cowardly.
Redtailed catfish
| Scientific name | Paractorocephalus hemioliopterus |
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This large catfish, which can be more than one meter long, is found in the Amazon River in South America. It gets its name from its reddish tail fin. It has six whiskers and a large mouth, and it swallows any fish that will fit in its mouth.
Knifefish
| Scientific name | Notopterus notopterus |
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This species is found in Southeast Asia. It is called “knifefish” because its body has a flat shape like a knife. A carnivorous freshwater fish, it feeds on prey such as small fish and members of the shrimp and crab families.
Alligator gar
| Scientific name | Atractosteus spatula |
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This large freshwater species, found in North America, can grow to up to three meters in length. The fish gets its name from its alligator-like face. With its sharp teeth, it seizes and devours small fish.
