EPCOT's beloved Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion has a striking new addition swimming its 5.7-million-gallon aquarium: a Napoleon Wrasse, a species the pavilion has never housed before. The fish has been named Toa, drawn from the Māori word for "warrior" or "victor."
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, the Napoleon Wrasse — also called the Humphead Wrasse for the distinctive bump that develops on adult foreheads — is an endangered species now protected in many countries. Males of the species can grow up to 90 inches long and tip the scales at 421 pounds, making Toa a genuinely jaw-dropping sight in the tank.
The pavilion itself has been a fixture at EPCOT since 1986, and while the mid-2000s retheme brought Turtle Talk with Crush and the Nemo-inspired overlay, the core aquarium experience has stayed largely the same for four decades. Toa gives guests a fresh reason to slow down and spend time watching the thousands of creatures that call the habitat home — which, on a hot Florida day, is also a pretty appealing air-conditioned escape.
If you're planning a visit and want to make the most of your time in the park, it's worth building in a stop at The Seas specifically to spot the new arrival. EPCOT tickets and planning can help you map out your day around must-see moments like this one.
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This story was first reported by Disney Food Blog.
