With 2,800 animals representing 253 species, the Aquarium houses one of the most diverse fish and invertebrate collections of any zoo in the country and is among the largest zoo aquariums in the Midwest.

Moon Jellies

Spend a few moments gazing at the hypnoticallypulsing moon jellies and feel the tension drain from your body. Experience the spectacular bioluminescence of the flashlight fish. Thrill to the otherworldly wonder of giant Japanese spider crabs. “Lose yourself” in the splendor of the “Living Reef” exhibit. Or meet face-to-face with the eight-tentacled denizen of the deep: the giant Pacific octopus.

Blueline Angel

Shark devotees will be delighted by the diverse variety of species, including two black-tip reef sharks, a cryptically colored wobbegong (or carpet shark), an epaulette shark, a banded bamboo shark, a horn shark, and a recently added Torazame (or cloudy cat shark).

Freshwater aficionados can feast their eyes on regal-looking discus, giant arapaima, prehistoric sturgeon, African cichlids of every stripe, the ever-popular piranhas, and much, much more.

Flashlight Fish

The Aquarium’s 2,500-square-foot walk-through rainforest exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in lush tropical surroundings, scanning the foliage for a glimpse of the varied fauna, especially the ever-elusive two-toed sloth.

Located in the Museum of Science, but tended by Aquarium staff, is The Crawlspace: A World of Bugs, featuring hundreds of insects and arthropods. All told, the exhibit houses over 20 different species of bugs, including cockroaches, beetles, centipedes, scorpions, tarantulas, orb weaving spiders, and giant stick insects.

Seafood Watch Program - You Have the Power
With demand for seafood growing, the ocean's supply of fish is shrinking. Fortunately, there's something you can do to help stop this disappearing act.

Your consumer choices make a difference. Click here to learn more about the Seafood Watch Program, including which seafood choices support efforts for healthier ocean wildlife and the environment. Look for the Seafood Watch Guides to help you select seafood that's plentiful and comes from environmentally responsible sources. (Stop by the Aquarium buidling to pick up your copy of the 2006 Central US Seafood Guide.) Your wise choices will help protect the oceans - and keep fish in the picture.