Recently Atlantis, The Palm Dubai added a new resident to its Ambassador Lagoon which already features more than 65,000 sea creatures. The Giant Devil Catfish (Bagarius yarelli), also known as Goonch catfish, has made the headlines of Sky News, National Geographic, and Discovery Channel for this mutant evolved behaviour. In honour of one of Atlantis’s rarest aquamarine breeds, our experts have composed a list of Atlantis, The Palm’s top 5 rarest, most interesting sea creatures which can be seen in The Lost Chambers:

Giant Devil Catfish In 2008, the Devil Catfish was accused of the death of an 18-year old Nepali, who was dragged into the river, according to witnesses. In 1988, two similar attacks were reported in the same region. Other than its infamous flesh eating skills, its large size also lends to its recent popularity in game fishing in rivers of South and Southeast Asia.

It is carnivorous in nature, where their normal diet consists of prawns, small fish, worms and crabs. This species can grow up to 6ft or 2m in length and over 150lbs or 200kilos.

BOWMOUTH (Rhina ancylostoma) The bowhead guitarfish, often described as prehistoric in appearance, is considered by some scientists to be the ‘missing link’ between sharks and rays based on the ray-like placement of the mouth and gill openings and disc shape of the front part of the body and the shark-like streamlined appearance of the rest of the body and the powerful tail.This species can grow to 2.7 m long and 135 kg.

DEVIL RAY (Mobula kuhlii) The “cephalic” fins of the devil ray, give it a distinctive appearance making it aesthetically unique, except for similarities with some other member of its own family. This rare species can grow to a maximum length of 120 cm WD (female) and the maximum published weight is 30 kg. Generally devil rays are found in schools.

GIANT GROUPER (Epinephelus lanceolatus) This unique breed of fish can grow as large as 2.7 meters long, weighing up to 600 kg; there are unconfirmed reports of it growing much bigger. They are opportunistic feeders that ambush prey. These fish can open and close their mouths rapidly, causing a change in water pressure, which allows them to literally suck in unsuspecting victims.

NAPOLEON WRASSE (Cheilinus undulates) The humphead wrasse is the largest living member of the Labridae family, with males reaching 6 feet (2 m) in length, and with females rarely exceeding about 3 feet (1 m). This rare breed has distinct thick, fleshy lips and a hump that forms above the eyes. This hump becomes more visible as the fish ages.

All these amazing sea creatures can be seen at the Ambassador Lagoon in Atlantis, The Palm Dubai. Guests are able to experience a unique aquatic eco-system through a 10 square meter viewing panel that looks directly into a 11 million litre marine habitat and underwater exhibit.

Find out more about our underwater world in the biggest aquarium Dubai has to offer on our website.