Alerts

Please note February 3rd to February 4th 2023, Zoomobile may be experiencing closures and delays due to weather and unforeseen circumstances.
Please note that due to the cold temperatures expected, the Conservation Carousel will be closed on Saturday, February 4.

Please also note our Zoomobile will now be taking an alternate route through the Eurasia Wilds and will no longer be travelling through the Eurasia Drive Thru.

Please note the following animals that may not be viewable at this time:

Americas Pavilion
Two-toed sloth, golden lion tamarin, white-faced saki, river otter, Eastern loggerhead shrike, and black-footed ferret are all currently not viewable due to habitat maintenance.

Eurasia Wilds
The Stellar Sea Eagles are currently not viewable.

Canadian Domain: 
Closed for the season.

African Savanna:
Some animals may not be viewable due to decreasing temperatures.

Kids Zoo
Closed for the season.

Saturday, February 25 - Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause 5K/1K Run/Walk

Please be advised that your Toronto Zoo and Canada Running Series will be hosting the Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause 5K/1K Run/Walk at the Zoo on February 25th to raise funds for the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy and polar bear conservation. 

Please note the following operational impacts:

  • For their well-being, some animals along the Move Your Paws route may be delayed going out on habitat in the morning. Guests may experience slight delays on other pathways as the run finishes and the race route is cleared. 
    • Tundra Trek: Caribou will not be visible and the path to the Caribou habitat will be closed for the entire day
  • Zoomobile: Begins operating at 11:45 am
Pennant Coral Fish
Pennant Coral Fish
Fish

Location at the Zoo:
Australasia
Region: Australasia


Pennant coral fish

This fish has a very elongated white dorsal filament. The background colour is white with two broad black bands on the sides extending onto adjacent fins. Pectoral, soft dorsal and caudal fins are yellowish, pelvic fins are black. Black marks are located above the eyes and the top of the snout. It grows up to 25 cm.

Conservation Status: IUCN




Distribution:

It is widespread throughout the Indo-west and central Pacific, from East Africa and the Arabian Gulf to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan and south to Lord Howe Island (including the Great Barrier Reef).

Habitat:

Lagoons and outer reef slopes, from 2 - 75 m, usually below 10 m. Inhabit shallower waters in protected reef areas.

Diet:

They feed mostly on plankton and coral, but supplement their diet with benthic (bottom dwelling) invertebrates. Juveniles are solitary and have been observed picking parasites from other fishes.

Reproduction:

Eggs float to the surface as they are laid and hatch approximately 18 – 30 hours later. Larvae go through a stage known as Tholichthys, where they are covered with bony plates and are pelagic (at the mercy of ocean currents) for periods ranging from a few weeks to several months.

Adaptation:

The elongated dorsal fin acts to draw predators away from the body of the fish. The stripe through the eye camouflages the eye and confuses predators. They have a long snout, and bristle like teeth allowing them to reach their main food source present in crevices in coral reefs. They also swim in large schools for protection.

Threats to Survival:

This species is intensively harvested for the aquarium trade within the Philippines.