JELLYFISH ZONE

Aquarium guide, Rebecca Jones gets to know our new residents.

They're 90% water, are happiest floating in the current, and they're here!

The latest exhibit at the aquarium, the Jellyfish Zone opened in March 2008 and features live adult moon jellyfish and a variety of 'jelly facts' on stunning display panels.

Jellyfish spend their adult life drifting in currents and feeding as they go, and so are classed as plankton. This nomadic lifestyle also means they are difficult to keep successfully in captivity. Our jellyfish are kept in a special circular tank with a continuous flow to provide that important current.

As the adults only live for a few months, our aquarist team have been busy setting up a nursery for 'jelly babies' to maintain a homegrown supply. The juvenile polyp stage can survive for up to twenty-five years before changing to the fully mature adults.

The development of this exhibit was possible due to a grant from Scottish Natural Heritage, and Ewan Lawrie, the SNH Area Officer officially opened the display saying: " Most people's experience of jellyfish is seeing them as a dead 'blob' on the beach. When still alive, they are strange and beautiful creatures with a complicated life cycle. Scottish Natural Heritage is pleased to have helped fund this project to show people what they look like in the sea and to understand and appreciate them a bit more."

We agree entirely and look forward to welcoming you to see for yourselves!!

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