Nashville Zoo has officially opened a new aquatic habitat that will house a bloom of approximately 50 moon jellyfish. Over the last eight years, the Zoo has been home to various jellies located in the Unseen New World exhibit.
“The new jellyfish habitat significantly enhances educational opportunities for guests fascinated by deep-sea life,” said Aquatics Area Supervisor and Biologist Daniel Brandt. “This display not only increases our keeper chat options but also offers a prime chance to highlight the importance of wildlife conservation and how the public can actively contribute to these efforts.”
Nashville Zoo’s moon jellyfish will live in a large 1,400-gallon saltwater aquarium front and center in the Unseen New World. The ecosystem’s water temperature will be 57-58 degrees and will stay cool using a special machine. The exhibit has extensive filtration systems to make sure the water remains clean and clear, as Jellyfish are sloppy eaters. In the future, the Zoo will welcome two more species, the Atlantic Sea Nettle, and White-spotted Jellyfish.
“The Nashville Zoo and Tennessee Aquarium provide their guests with incredible opportunities to marvel at the beauty of jellies and appreciate their roles in the natural world,” said Rachel Thayer, the Tennessee Aquarium’s assistant curator of fishes. “This sparks their curiosity about how individual actions can benefit all aquatic animals.”
Moon jellyfish (Aurelia Aurita) are common in our oceans, but plastic bags that drift into the sea often resemble jellyfish to creatures that rely on them for food. Each year, thousands of sea turtles and birds die from ingesting plastic that is mistaken for these delicate animals. Consumers can make a difference by reducing single-use plastics in their daily life.
For more information about the moon jellyfish and the Unseen New World at Nashville Zoo, visit nashvillezoo.org.
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