New multi-sensory exhibit at TN Aquarium

The Ridges to Rivers exhibit features species from Southern Appalachian streams

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Aquarium will be opening a new exhibit on March 1. This new addition will allow visitors to see, hear and touch many species native to Southern Appalachia.

The gallery is called Ridges to Rivers. It is replacing the Discovery Hall exhibits that date back to 2002.

The featured aquatic life is native to the Tennessee River.

“The new displays showcase more than three dozen species of fish found from high-altitude streams through the mainstem flow of the Tennessee River,” said Casey Phillips, writer for the Tennessee Aquarium.

Some of these include Gilt Darters, Saffron Shiners, Redear Sunfish and Rock Bass.

The aquarium says guests will get to see fish acting as they would in nature. This also includes seasonal color changes.

Dr. Anna George is the aquarium’s vice president of conservation science and education. “Ridges to Rivers offers guests the experience of what it’s like to put your head in a stream and see animals you had no idea were there,” George said.

Therefore, it will allow guests to see what it is like to snorkel in Appalachian streams. That is, while staying dry. It will include a hollow cylinder that guests may enter to see the fish up close.

The new exhibit will include rapids and still pools of water to replicate a stream’s diverse geography.

Another small exhibit will show guests how thunderstorms impact streams as well.

The touch experience from the Discovery Hall is being upgraded for Ridges to Rivers. Guests can feel the “leathery-skinned” Lake Sturgeon in a much larger exhibit.

Rivers to Ridges will be the first stop of the River Journey, right after the otters. It is a large, 22-foot-long exhibit.

You can learn more about the Rivers to Ridges exhibit on the aquarium’s website.