Some animals are able to move from place to place by means of jet propulsion.
They are able to pull water from outside of their bodies, pass it over their gills to exchange gases,
and direct the water back outside their bodies by way of a muscular tube called the siphon. When the water is forcefully directed the organism moves off in the opposite direction. Two examples of these organisms are the Nautilus and the well-known Octopus. At certain times of the year, we may also have cuttlefish or a local, near-shore, squid on display.
The Nautilus exhibit contains animals that have descended relatively unchanged from ancestors millions of years ago. During daylight hours these elusive creatures inhabit the deep dark depths of the reef drop-off at around 1,000 feet (about 300 meters). At night they ascend to about 200 feet (66 meters) to possibly feed and to deposit eggs that the female carries. There is much that is still unknown about these secretive creatures.
The Squid exhibit showcases the local Bigfin Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana). Watch as they change color almost instantaneously. The different color patterns flashed across their body are thought, among other reasons, to be used to communicate with each other and for camouflage. The Waikiki Aquarium has successfully raised and exhibited the second generation of this species from eggs that were laid in the exhibit.
The Octopus exhibit contains the Hawaiian day octopus. The day octopus is an expert at camouflage, able to conceal its whereabouts by imitating the colors, patterns and textures of its surroundings. These animals feed on a variety of items such as crabs, shrimps and marine snails. Sometimes these creatures may even be able to catch and eat a passing fish. When you look into this exhibit you may see a pair of eyes looking back at you, making you wonder who is looking at whom.
Also included in this gallery are two bonus tanks. The Spiny Grazers exhibit is where you will see living pin-cushions, the venomous long-spined sea urchins (Diadema paucispinum), which can be found locally. The Hidden Worlds exhibit has tiny gobies along with actual live black coral on display.
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| Chambered Nautilus |
Bigfin Squid |
Hawaiian Day Octopus |
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