Au coeur du roc

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.

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.

The Tiger Hillstream Loach is a small fish from central Vietnam. Its large pectoral and pelvic fins form an adhesive disk allowing it to attach to rocks and climb waterfalls. It is vulnerable to overexploitation and dam construction that weaken its environment.

The discus, an oviparous fish from the Amazon regions, reproduces at the beginning of the flood season, giving its young a better chance of survival. It naturally resides in slightly acidic waters, favoring flooded forest areas to protect and feed itself.

The skin of this species secretes a toxic mucus for predators and parasites. This fish is territorial and fights involving males are common. To lay eggs, both partners embrace and rise to the surface to release their reproductive cells that will be mixed by sea currents.

Trachemys scripta is a freshwater turtle, native to the southeastern United States. This species is invasive in many countries around the world. This situation is due to its strong popularity in pet stores during the second half of the 20th century. This trend combined with a remarkable reproductive adaptation potential has made its establishment possible in all temperate and subtropical areas where it has been introduced.

The Indian sail-fin surgeonfish is a tropical fish native to the reefs of the Indo-Pacific. This fish has very large dorsal and anal fins, which it can use to double its size. It uses these features to impress its counterparts during courtship.