SPECIMEN No.0045 ・ Aquarium
Momijiもみじ
Name romanized from Japanese; not an official English name.
Asian Small-clawed OtterAonyx cinereusVU— Vulnerable
Momiji is an Asian Small-clawed Otter recorded at SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM. Born October 30, 2018.
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Profile
| Name | Momiji (もみじ) |
|---|---|
| Species | Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus |
| Sex | Female |
| Born | October 30, 2018 |
| Birth Facility | Sunshine Aquarium |
| Current Facility | SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM（Tokyo） |
| Enclosure | カワウソ 小さな狩人 |
| Status | In residence |
| Conservation Status (IUCN) | VU— Vulnerable |
Timeline
- October 30, 2018 Birth Sunshine Aquarium Source
- June 16, 2026 Move SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM Source
Records
Born on the morning of October 30, 2018, to father Raja and mother Mahalo, the first birth ever to an Asian small-clawed otter born at Sunshine Aquarium (opened 1978). In a vote among five staff-proposed candidates (Mirai, Momiji, Hanna, Rino, and Makana), 'Momiji' won a close race, beating the runner-up 'Mirai' by just 7 votes.
At the time the name was announced, she was still under three months old. Because these otters reach adult size at around 20 months, the window for seeing her small and adorable as a pup was limited.
As part of the cooperative husbandry and breeding program for Asian small-clawed otters run jointly by Japan's aquariums and zoos, she moved from Sunshine Aquarium to Shinagawa Aquarium with her mother Mahalo on June 16, 2026, and went on view there from June 17.
Family
FAQ
- Where can I meet Momiji?
- Momiji is recorded at SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM in Tokyo (last verified: 2026-09-26).
- When was Momiji born?
- Momiji was born October 30, 2018.
- What does Momiji’s record tell us?
- Momiji is recorded as born on October 30, 2018. The record at SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM was last verified on 2026-09-26.
Last verified: ／ Source: prtimes.jp www.aquarium.gr.jp sunshinecity.jp