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Kipp Aquarium
The Kipp Aquarium’s 23 exhibits take the visitor on a world tour from the coral reefs of the Pacific to the Amazon Basin and the Rift Valley Lakes of Africa.
We have specimens that can grow as long as cars and others that will be only one-and-a-half inches at maturity. There are specimens that require the bright light of the sun for 14 hours a day and others that like to live in the dark.
Spring 2010 Moon Jelly Exhibit
Our new jelly exhibit, with greatly enhanced viewing for the public has opened. This exhibit holds approximately 600 gallons and houses white spotted jellies from the South Pacific. You can't miss this oval shaped corner tank just to your right as you enter the Kipp Aquarium.
Our permanent culture of moon jellies allows us to house and trade with other AZA institutions, and our four-eyed fish have bred this year with 14 new babies, which are growing like weeds.
Houston Zoo Aquarist Maureen Koneval says that "jelly fish are very fascinating animals that exhibit many strange behaviors, which is truly unique when you consider they don’t have a brain."
Recent Upgrades
Multiple physical renovations have been made to the Kipp Aquarium. We have renewed many of the original fiberglass tanks. As of March 2010, seven exhibits have been replaced ranging in size from 450 to 1,300 gallons.
Additionally, new carpet was installed, which changed the entire look of the Aquarium and adds to the ambience of regular visits and private parties.
A Glance At Our Aquatic Collection
The Banggai Cardinalfish is a species that was recently discovered and
is only found on an isolated coral reef island in the South Pacific Ocean.
Lionfish have a very inquisitive nature and they hunt their prey using
their long pectoral fins to herd prey toward their mouth.
Sea turtles are a magnificent species becoming more and more threatened in the wild. Learn how the Houston Zoo supports sea turtles at www.houstonzoo.org/seaturtles.
Clownfish are very colorful with coloring that ranges from yellow and maroon to shades of orange.
The Kipp Aquarium is home to over 200 species and 2,000 specimens of fresh and salt water fish and marine invertebrates (jellyfish, octopus, corals, and more). Cool and peaceful in the summer, the Kipp Aquarium is one of the Zoo’s most popular exhibits.
Wherever they are, the Houston Zoo’s fish provide that wonderful magic of the underwater world!
Here's a short video about an addition to the Kipp Aquarium: baby stingrays.
