They are venomous, yet magnificent. Nothing embodies both the beauty and danger of the oceans more than lionfish.
With its long separated spines, dramatic colorations and royal moves, the newly-added group of lionfish is a delight to watch at the Matsya Darshini Aquarium.
Three of this beautiful marine species were recently brought to the aquarium here.
The lionfish is one of the most venomous fish on the ocean floor.
This species has venomous dorsal spines that are used purely in self-defence. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in an upside down posture, which brings its spines to bear.
However, a lionfish’s sting is usually not fatal to humans, but they are very painful.
In spite of its venomous characteristics, lionfish are peaceful, extremely hardy and disease-resistant tank inhabitants that are well suited for the intermediate saltwater hobbyist.
Vivid colours
The colourful but capricious flower horn is another new special variety to watch out for at the aquarium. Solitary by nature, these are a type of ornamental aquarium fish noted for their vivid colours and the distinctively shaped heads for which they are named.
‘Nuchal hump’
The head protuberance, or kok, is formally termed a “nuchal hump”.
Like blood parrot cichlids, they are man-made hybrids that do not exist in nature. First developed in Malaysia and Taiwan, they are now kept by fish hobbyists worldwide.
Some of the other recent members of the aquarium are the red ear turtle, red cap gold fish, arowanas, yellow and red parrot gold fish, the aggressive piranhas and remora sharks.
With a collection of over 100 varieties of marine creatures, it can be quite a thrill to watch the starkly contrasting behaviours of the exotic fish.
While the colourful lot of red cap gold fish and the yellow and red parrot gold fish with its playful moves enhance the serene contours of the water they cascade in, the aggressive piranhas with razor sharp teeth and strong jaws are believed to attack even human beings.
Hence they are kept in isolation in the aquarium or else the stage for a battlefield will be set in no time!
The grand majestic arowana is said to bring good luck and fortune because of its gold colour, signifying the dragon.
One of the exotic fresh water fishes, each of the new pair of arowana fish at the aquarium costs Rs. 40, 000.
The aquarium had a pair earlier, but after one of them died two months back due to old age, the younger pair was brought in.
Lonely and dull, the three feet long solitary adult arowana costs Rs.1.5 lakhs.
