Planet Ocean Montpellier

The Australian green treefrog is an arboreal species found throughout much of Australia and New Guinea. Its conservation status is stable, but it faces local threats such as pollution and domestic predation.

Locally known as 'cunchi' or 'pez gato moteado', this small South American catfish has a beige and silver body with black spots. It lives in groups, is active at twilight and dawn, and undertakes long freshwater migrations to reproduce during the rainy season.

At night, the yellowbanded sweetlips hunt benthic invertebrates in sandbanks and seagrass beds. During the day, they rest in the crevices and recesses of the reefs. This tropical species, which can grow over 70 cm, is targeted by fishermen in many Pacific Ocean islands.

This predator lives in rocky areas, generally at depths of up to 600 meters. Endangered, this species is vulnerable to overfishing due to its slow growth and late maturation, with declining populations observed in areas such as Brazil, Bermuda, and the Azores. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this species, particularly through fisheries regulation and the protection of essential marine habitats for their survival.

The Emperor Angelfish is found from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef. Juveniles hide under reef overhangs or in holes in outer lagoons, while adults prefer caves in coral-rich areas. These fish feed on sponges and form pairs for reproduction.

The peach fairy basslet is found from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef. Juveniles hide under reef overhangs or in holes in outer lagoons, while adults prefer caves in coral-rich areas. These fish feed on sponges and form pairs for reproduction.

Like many catfish species, it hunts at night. The female is larger than the male and lays enormous quantities of eggs (8 million eggs per kilogram). Due to its size and dietary habits, it is not recommended to keep it in a private aquarium.

This fish lives near diadem-urchins. At the slightest danger, it takes refuge between the long spines of sea urchins. The male guards the eggs in the mouth until they hatch. It is threatened in the wild because of fishing for the aquarium trade. This species breeds in captivity.

The large pectoral fins of this fish serve as a fish net to capture prey. Its color (alternating dark and light bands) indicate to predators that it is poisonous: there are poison glands in the skin covering its spines. It can cause serious or fatal accidents.

It is carnivorous, its sharp teeth have earned it the local name. (Pira = fish, Nha = tooth). Its dangerousness was often exaggerated: it serves as prey of many animals (alligators, giant otter ...). Piranhas are especially dangerous for humans in the dry season, when they lack food.

The regal angelfish is native to the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Tuamotu Islands. It inhabits coral reefs in lagoons and outer slopes, mainly feeding on sponges and tunicates.

This squirrelfish is recognizable by its fine horizontal white stripes with silvery highlights on a predominantly red body. Like its counterparts, it is a nocturnal, exclusively carnivorous fish. It particularly preys on mollusks and small crustaceans living among the rocks.

During the day, it lives in schools and often "grazes" Posidonia leaves (underwater flowering plant). It also eats small animals that live hanging on the leaves. Juveniles live in very shallow waters. It flesh, soft and bland, is not appreciated.

It often lives below 30 meters depth. In the spring, it goes close to the surface to spawn in the sea grass. Its spines are venomous. The sting is very painful, but rarely fatal. It is one of the essential ingredients of bouillabaisse.

It breeds easily in captivity. During mating, which can last between 30 and 45 minutes, the male forms a loop around the body of the female. Its flesh is edible, but it liver is toxic. Its reproductive behavior has been studied at the University of Liège.

It is especially active at dusk. During the day, it stays on the bottom. It can close it eyes with a sort of eyelids. Its flesh is edible, but it liver is toxic! Its eggs can be incubated and hatched in an aquarium.