Wander through the gently curving path between two 28,110-gallon tanks in the Shedd Aquarium’s redesigned rotunda space, and the calming green hues of a freshwater ecosystem greet you on one side, while the electric blues, pinks and oranges of saltwater life form a vibrant palette just opposite. Together, the two habitats make up Wonder of Water, a new exhibit that opens Tuesday and represents the latest phase of an ongoing renovation leading up to the aquarium’s centennial in 2030.
Returning visitors may recall the previous iteration of this space: a Caribbean-inspired reef that opened in 1971 and featured tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. Before that, the rotunda housed a rock garden and sunken tropical pool filled with native fish, turtles and frogs. Now, through Wonder of Water, the Shedd aims to provide a place for guests to pause and reflect on Earth’s biodiversity, while piquing their curiosity about the other animal and plant life to be explored at the aquarium.
Unlike the former Caribbean exhibit, which used sculpted corals, the new saltwater habitat is home to living corals that the Shedd has acquired and cultivated over the past several years, along with over 1,500 fish.
“The corals in here act as an absolute ecosystem, so not only are they part of the beauty of this exhibit, (but) an integral part of the life support system as well,” said Keoki Burton, director of animal care and sustainability at the Shedd.
Fans of “Finding Nemo” will easily spot the clown fish and anemones, but Burton pointed out that these aren’t the only symbiotic relationships that can be observed in the saltwater habitat. Several shrimp have established “cleaning stations” among the corals and rocks, where they perch and groom fish swimming by. Many of the fish are already displaying nesting and mating behaviors, too. These are examples of “the natural behaviors that we are able to elicit from these animals, because we’re providing them with such a dynamic ecosystem,” Burton said.
In the freshwater habitat, more than 5,000 fish live among 50 species of plants, most of which are native to southeast Asia and have been cultivated by the Shedd for the past year and a half. Some of the plants have already grown from tiny leaflets into seven-foot stalks that are beginning to flower, and they are kept healthy and lush with a CO2 injection system and other advanced technologies that optimize the water flow, chemistry, filtration and lighting.
Visitors can use periscopes to zoom in on details of both habitats and explore tactile models of the species represented in the exhibit. ADA-accessible seating will also provide a spot to relax and take in the maritime motifs in the rotunda’s ornate architecture.
“There are moments when people want to lean in, they want to be more activated, and there are moments when people want to lean back and let the experience wash over them a bit more,” said Sarah Hezel, vice president of design and exhibits. “We tried to strike that balance here, so if you want to just be in this space and have it be a respite, you get that, and if you want to drill in and observe some of those incredible behaviors, that’s there, too.”
In addition to the rotunda, several other spaces at the Shedd have been refreshed. The Amazon Rising gallery reopened in October after a renovation that added nearly 30,000 gallons in volume to its habitats — an expansion necessary to accommodate animals that continue to grow, such as an 11-foot anaconda and the arapaima, a South American fish that can reach up to 10 feet in length.
Amazon Rising now features signage in English and Spanish — a change that will eventually be made throughout the aquarium — and new interactive activities such as a thermal imaging display that mimics how an anaconda senses its environment. The renovation also allows more sunlight to stream in through skylights, which not only helps visitors observe more details but also encourages natural behaviors from the animals.
In November, the Shedd unveiled its redesigned entryway, which offers improved accessibility, streamlined arrival procedures and more options for guests to choose their own route through the aquarium. The star of this upgraded space is a new art installation titled “The Once and Forever Lake Michigan,” designed by artist David Franklin in partnership with Kohler. The hanging sculpture features 1,600 individual fish representing Lake Michigan species, each carved from wood, molded and cast in vitreous china. The result is an elegant school of porcelain fish that shimmers in a blend of natural light and soft blue-green accents.
Future upgrades slated to open in 2026 include expanded learning facilities; a redesign of the historic Great Hall; and reimagined exhibits about ecosystems in lakes, rivers and oceans. In the Changing Oceans gallery, visitors will learn about the impacts of global warming and ocean acidification, see the recreation of a California kelp forest and get a diver’s view of a coral reef in a new walk-through tunnel. Hezel assures anyone who misses the Caribbean reef animals from the old rotunda display that they will be able to see their favorites again in this much bigger space.
These renovations represent one part of the Shedd’s centennial strategic plan, which also includes commitments to deepen community partnerships, expand experiential programs and digital engagement, and pursue advancements in animal care and aquatic research.
Although the new Wonder of Water exhibit is just one phase of this years-long project, its location in the rotunda has special significance, Hezel said. “When people come in the new entrance, it’s their first animal experience. Because of the orientation of all the other galleries, all roads lead back here, so in many ways, this is the heart of Shedd Aquarium.”
Emily McClanathan is a freelance writer.
The Wonder of Water exhibit is included with admission to the Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; $35.20-$48.45 for adults, $26.45-$36.45 for children ages 3-11, $14.95-$19.95 for Chicago residents; more information at sheddaquarium.org or 312-939-2438
