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Philippine Coral Reef
Visit one of the most beautiful and fragile marine ecosystems on Earth, where reef fish dart through a colorful forest of coral, stingrays sail beneath your feet, and giant clams dazzle with brilliant hues.
The Philippine Coral Reef, the gateway to our larger Coral Reefs of the World exhibit, highlights waters known as the center of marine biodiversity—an area of unbelievable beauty and importance. From the main museum floor, gaze over a shallow, sandy lagoon inhabited by giant rays, and schools of fish. Then, at the edge of the lagoon, a 212,000-gallon exhibit plunges into a different world.
At 25 feet deep, the Philippine Coral Reef tank is one of the deepest and largest displays of living coral in the world. Under the surface, hundreds of fish mingle with eels, anemones, starfish, and coral, adding up to some of the most dramatic underwater views available without diving.
Find the hidden reef
The newly refreshed Philippine Coral Reef exhibit features an improved dive show experience and fascinating new creatures in the "Hidden Reef" section. Admiring from afar? Enjoy the view from our livestreaming webcam.
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Data from the deep
The Philippine Coral Reef is more than an exhibit—it’s a living laboratory. Can you spot science in action by finding one of three Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) on public display in the tank for the first time? These devices will provide valuable insights into coral reef biodiversity as part of our Hope for Reefs initiative.
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Reef 101
Why are reef animals so colorful? How do coral reefs around the world interact? What makes coral health so important? Get a crash course in the wonder and importance of Earth's coral reefs at our daily dive show.
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Surprising adaptations
There's more to the Philippines exhibit than the captivating main tank—a series of smaller tank galleries highlight the unique adaptations and interactions of reef organisms.
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As Director of Steinhart Aquarium, Bart Shepherd oversees the Academy’s nearly 60,000 live plants and animals.
Come face-to-fin with nearly 60,000 animals—from deep-sea oddities to Claude, our alligator with albinism.
Explore the Academy's major initiative aiming to reverse the rapid decline of Earth’s reefs in this generation.
Be mesmerized by the brilliant colors of tropical fish in our Philippine Coral Reef.
Researchers in the Coral Regeneration Lab are successfully breeding coral to regenerate reefs around the world.