Sir Lancelot at the Shark School

This massive fish is known in the wild to prey on smaller sharks, but rest assured—our sharks have nothing to fear! Since its opening in late 2018, the Shark School has been home to a variety of marine species. Visitors can observe several species of sharks and rays, along with numerous bony fish. Understanding this distinction is key:

• Sharks and rays belong to the cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) group.
• Most other fish, including those in the Shark School, are bony fish (Osteichthyes).

Many of our bony fish species are schooling fish, meaning they always swim in coordinated groups. However, the largest of them all is Sir Lancelot de Kopír, our giant Queensland grouper.

Sir Lancelot has been a resident since the Shark School first opened. His name is a playful reference to:

• “Lanceolatus”, which appears in his scientific name and means “lance-shaped” or “armed with a lance.”
• “De Kopír,” inspired by the jigsaw saw blade, a nod to the “saw-like” appearance of the grouper’s features.

This creative naming style is a hallmark of our Shark School team, who never run out of fun and clever ideas! The giant Queensland grouper is native to the Indo-Pacific region, found in tropical waters from the Red Sea to Hawaii and as far as the Pitcairn Islands—famously linked to the Bounty mutineers. It prefers shallow waters, rarely venturing far below the surface. As a predator, its diet consists mainly of smaller fish and crustaceans, but larger specimens have been known to hunt small sea turtles and even juvenile sharks. However, our Shark School residents are safe, as they are too large—or just barely smaller—than Sir Lancelot himself.

A Unique Biological Feature

One of the most fascinating aspects of this species is its ability to change sex.

• All juveniles are initially female.
• Some later transform into males, depending on the population’s sex ratio.

This adaptive trait ensures the species’ survival, balancing reproductive roles within their social groups. Our zoo has a rich tradition of showcasing marine life, dating back over 100 years. In spring 1912, we opened Hungary’s first public aquarium, where visitors could see live marine animals for the first time. This historic aquarium, located beneath the Palm House, still exists today. However, our primary marine exhibit is now the Shark School, where we continue our mission of educating visitors about ocean life. This goal is especially relevant today, as the United Nations has declared 2021–2030 the Decade of the Oceans, emphasizing the importance of ocean conservation and awareness. Through exhibits like Sir Lancelot’s, we hope to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the remarkable diversity of marine life!