You Can Save Israel's Unique Aquatic Habitats!

Hello Aquarium supporters!

We are especially proud to celebrate publicly a major milestone achieved over the last year: the successful breeding of second-generation jellyfish right here in Jerusalem – a first for the Aquarium and a source of tremendous pride.

We decided to utilize this milestone as both an educational and professional opportunity by establishing a jellyfish breeding facility which will display the behind-the-scenes breeding process of the jellyfish to our visitors. This dynamic new addition to our Red Sea Gallery that will bring visitors face-to-face with the magical world of jellyfish and will unveil the behind-the-scenes work of our expert team as they care for and breed jellyfish, offering a rare glimpse into their unique life cycle – from tiny polyps to mesmerizing adults. It’s not just an exhibit; it’s an immersive educational experience that showcases the vital ecological role of these delicate marine creatures.

Currently, the exhibit area is being prepared and the design and content is being finalized. Specialized breeding equipment has arrived from Hong Kong, designed to support every stage of jellyfish development. The two rooms of the facility have already been constructed and viewing windows installed. The next phase is finalizing the exhibit's design and educational content. In addition, we have invested significantly in the professionalism of the team – two of our keepers have received specialized training at the Paris Aquarium. Aside from significantly increasing their knowledge and skills base, their new abilities allow us to work with polyps of many new species instead of only with moon jellyfish.

Jellyfish play a vital role in our fragile marine ecosystem, offering shelter and food to various marine species. As they drift through the ocean, they provide baby fish with a moving refuge from predators, allowing them to travel safely and feed on small organisms around the jellyfish or stunned prey caught in their tentacles. This safe haven helps fish populations—including commercially valuable species like whiting in the North Sea—recover and thrive.

Jellyfish are also key players in marine food chains. By consuming larvae and eggs, they help regulate species populations and maintain ecological balance. At the same time, jellyfish themselves serve as food for sunfish, spadefish, crabs, marine turtles, and even other jellyfish, such as the Lion’s Mane feeding on Moon jellies. After death, their remains continue to nourish deep-sea creatures like hagfish.

Additionally, jellyfish contribute to nutrient cycling. As they move through ocean layers, they transport essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Their excretions support the growth of other marine life—studies show jellyfish waste can provide over 10% of the nitrogen and nearly 25% of the phosphate required by phytoplankton.

Jellyfish have a bad reputation in Israel because they prevent people from enjoying the beach. A discussion of their importance within the ecological fabric shifts the focus to the importance of species diversity.

Stay tuned for more updates soon!

Hello Aquarium supporters!

Despite the challenging times here in Israel, we have been busy working on improving our animal welfare and conservation efforts at the Aquarium.

Beneath the sparkling waters of the Red Sea lies one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on Earth—a vibrant world teeming with over 1,200 species of fish, including more than 120 species found nowhere else. The coastal coral reef, shaped over 7,000 years, is home to dazzling marine life and some reef formations so unique, scientists still struggle to classify them.

At our Aquarium, this remarkable biodiversity comes to life in the Coral Reef Exhibit. What began as a collection of bare rocks has grown into a thriving underwater paradise—an ever-changing ecosystem of brilliant corals and colorful fish that continues to captivate and inspire visitors every day.

Since the opening of the Israel Aquarium seven years ago, we have been honored to take part in a critical conservation mission together with the Israel Nature & Parks Authority. The INPA rescues fragile coral fragments from the Red Sea which we then carefully plant into our exhibit, offering them a second chance to heal, grow, and thrive. What began as a hopeful experiment has blossomed beyond all expectations. Thanks to the invaluable knowledge we've gained over the past few years, the corals have thrived in ways we never imagined, and today, our vivid living reef is one of the most treasured exhibits at the Aquarium. As a result of our remarkable professional success, the INPA has entrusted us with a permanent role in their conservation work.

We must now expand the tank’s infrastructure to support the weight of this stunning, reef. After carefully evaluating various options, we have begun an essential renovation to ensure that our corals continue to grow in the healthiest, most natural way possible. Although the reef is currently stable, this upgrade is essential to support new growth and improve the long-term wellbeing of this delicate habitat.

This is a highly intricate project, given the sensitive nature of the corals, and it has been thoroughly examined and meticulously planned. Because the tank can’t be drained, our expert staff will perform the work entirely underwater to ensure no harm comes to the marine life inside. The renovation will be carried out in stages, with each phase focusing on a different section of the tank, ensuring the current exhibit remains intact throughout the complex process. We are building a graduated structure that addresses both the needs of the corals—ensuring proper water flow—and the practical requirements of filtration and tank cleaning. Our goal is to create an environment that closely mirrors the natural beauty of an Eilat coral reef, offering both aesthetic and ecological harmony.

Improvements will include:

• New coral shelving to increase space for growth
• A natural rock substrate made from coral skeletons to create a more authentic environment
• Upgraded LED lighting to better support coral health and color

This is more than an exhibit—it’s a living, breathing testament to what conservation can achieve. With your support, we can ensure that this beautiful coral reef continues to inspire future generations and play its part in preserving the Red Sea’s natural legacy.

Stay tuned for more updates soon!