Learn about the fish that call California Academy of Sciences Reef Lagoon home.
Rays are part of a group of fish called elasmobranchs, whose skeletons are made of soft, flexible cartilage, while the other fish in the lagoon are teleosts, or bony fishes.
Watch as cownose and honeycomb rays circle our mangrove lagoon exhibit in search of their next meal—and it’s not far away. Stop by Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 pm PT to see the next feeding.
Reef Lagoon FAQs
When do the rays eat?
Feeding times are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 1:30 pm PDT.
What do the rays and bony fishes eat?
The rays eat clam tongue, prawns, squid, white bait, live Manila clams, and capelin.
The bony fishes eat krill, gel food, and pellets.
What species am I seeing?
Check out our Reef Lagoon field guide.
Why don’t I hear anything?
At present, there is no microphone in the water or attached to presenters when they feed the fish.
Why is it dark?
The fish may be sleeping. We dim and brighten our lights according to a schedule that best matches their natural habit. That may not correspond to the time zone where you are.