Tennessee Aquarium Scuttlebutt Reef to open March 7

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Aquarium will be revealing their new gallery, Scuttlebutt Reef, on Saturday, March 7.

This gallery will be the latest addition to the Ocean Journey building, which will feature 11 new exhibits.

“Our team has been working hard to create an intriguing guest experience that highlights reef-dwelling species from around the world. Our members and visitors will be thrilled to explore this engaging space and learn about a truly amazing collection of animals – some that we’ve never exhibited before.” 

– Aquarium President & CEO Andy Wood said.

They say interactive, animated graphics will be available to guests and once touched, the signs will display information — in English or Spanish — to give guests the opportunity to learn about (or debunk) different “tall tales” of the ocean. A movable, colored lens in the Swell Sharks exhibit will also allow guests to emulate how this thick-bodied shark’s eyes function. Other interactive areas include a padded pressure plate next to the Peacock Mantis Shrimp to measure the force of their blow and see how it stacks up against this pint-sized pugilist. 

The first animal visitors encounter will be Green Moray Eels, whose sinuous likeness features in the gallery’s logo. Nearby, guests can see a brilliantly colored Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Guests will also be able to see the Comb Jellies.

Scuttlebutt Reef takes the place of the Boneless Beauties gallery, which opened alongside the Ocean Journey building in 2005.

To learn more about the Scuttlebutt Reef gallery, visit tnaqua.org/exhibit/scuttlebutt-reef