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New Animals Move into Tropical Reef Aquarium
New Animals Move into Tropical Reef Aquarium

Over 40 marine animal species joined the Tropical Reef Aquarium this month, adding to the roster of more than 130 species already living there!

The new residents include four new blacktip reef sharks, a tasseled wobbegong shark, a grey reef shark, a black blotched ray, and dozens of tropical fish, including a spectacular humphead wrasse. There are now six shark species in the aquarium’s Outer Reef habitat and another two shark species reside in the Lagoon. There are now 21 sharks total in the Tropical Reef Aquarium, with more still to come!

Here’s a look at some new animals living in the Tropical Reef Aquarium.

Potato grouper, zebra shark, blotched fantail ray
Potato grouper, zebra shark, & blotched fantail ray in Outer Reef
humpnose unicornfish
Humpnose Unicornfish in Outer Reef
humphead wrasse
Humphead wrasse in Outer Reef
humphead wrasse
Humphead wrasse in Outer Reef
hermit crab
Hermit crab in Tropical Shallows
Potato grouper, blotched fantail ray
Potato grouper & blotched fantail ray in Outer Reef
scrawled filefish
Scrawled filefish in the Lagoon
cleaner shrimp
Cleaner shrimp in Tropical Shallows
blue spotted ray
Blue spotted ray on the Tropical Reef Aquarium Beach
bluefin trevally
Bluefin trevally in Outer Reef
bluefin trevally
Bluefin trevally in Outer Reef
blacktip reef shark
Blacktip reef shark in Outer Reef
emperor angelfish
Emperor angelfish in the Lagoon

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the Northwest’s only combined zoo and aquarium. In addition to the Tropical Reef Aquarium, the Tacoma zoo also has the Pacific Seas Aquarium with hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles, eagle rays, and the popular Tidal Touch Zone. The zoo and both aquariums are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.