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Aquarium of Niagara begins building $440,000 jellyfish exhibit

Posted at 6:26 AM, May 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-14 06:26:30-04

The Niagara Falls Aquarium in New York has started construction of a jellyfish exhibit that will be called "Aliens of the Sea."

The $440,000 project will let the aquarium permanently house jellyfish for the first time in its history. Plans call for about 100 jellyfish representing four species. They will swim in tanks in a darkened exhibit space with dramatic lighting.

It's the second recent upgrade for the 53-year-old facility. The $3.5 million "Penguin Coast" exhibit opened in March.

About 270,000 people visit the aquarium every year. Officials hope the new exhibits will push the number to 300,000.

The jellyfish exhibit is getting funding from New York state and the First Niagara Foundation. It's expected to open early next year.