Coral staff column
Introducing "sea fans," whose open polyps resemble cherry blossoms.
In the Coral Lab located within the Coral Cafe Bar (1F), one species of coral is selected from the more than 800 known species of coral worldwide and displayed as a "Coral Pick-Up Tank."
We have changed our exhibits starting today, March 4th, 2026 (Wednesday), and have begun displaying "Sea Fans and Their Relatives." We would like to introduce you to their fascinating features.
Sea fans are beautiful corals whose tentacles, called polyps, open up to resemble cherry blossoms in full bloom.
The aquarium displays various types of soft corals, including *Sarcophyton japonica* and *Sarcophyton chinensis*. Depending on the species, some may appear greenish, while others may appear purple or pink.
Like the sea mushrooms I introduced in the previous column, soft corals are soft corals that do not have a skeleton.
Although they lack a skeleton, their bodies are supported by bone fragments scattered throughout their bodies, and they can shrink to an extremely small size.
If you look closely, you'll see that the tentacles, called polyps, open and close.
Sea fans belong to the octocoral family, which are corals with eight tentacles. So, if you see a polyp that's open, take a closer look and count the number of tentacles. You'll find there are eight.
Coral Cafe Bar also has many other octocorals on display. Be sure to look for them!
As the cherry blossom season approaches, why not enjoy the feeling of spring by viewing cherry blossoms in an aquarium, where you don't have to worry about the weather?
