Tucked between vibrant exhibits of tropical fish and corals that sway like underwater gardens, the hum of scientific exploration pulses behind a door at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. Here, in the Jelly Lab, a world of gelatinous marvels unfolds, revealing a side of the ocean few get to see up close. This is where science meets wonder, and curiosity about one of the ocean’s most ancient lifeforms is a daily pursuit.
Image: Supplied
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The Jelly Lab is the beating heart behind the Aquarium’s Jelly Gallery – home to the captivating jellies that float in softly-lit exhibits. These mesmerising jellies are the product of meticulous care, cutting-edge research, and an unwavering dedication to marine science. But beyond the gallery lights and ethereal displays lies a story of innovation, conservation, and the people who make it possible.
Krish Lewis, fondly known as the Aquarium’s “Jelly Guy,” is one such person. With a passion as transparent as the animals he nurtures, Krish is one of South Africa’s few aquarists to work directly with jellyfish. “I like things that are ‘limited edition’,” he says. “Not a lot of people work with jellies, especially in South Africa. I’m one of the only people doing hands-on work with them, rather than studying them solely through genetics.”
Image: Supplied
Jellyfish are indeed extraordinary. They’re an ancient part of Earth’s oceans, appearing about 600 million years ago in the fossil record as one of the first complex animals on our planet. Brainless, heartless, and boneless, they rely on a complex network of nerves to navigate the world, floating along currents and fascinating those who encounter them.
At the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Jelly Aquarists work tirelessly to understand the magical world of jellyfish. Their life cycle begins when adult jellyfish (medusae) release sperm and eggs into the water column. Fertilisation results in planula larvae, which eventually settle on a surface and transform into polyps. From these polyp buds, multiple ephyrae (tiny, star-shaped juveniles) grow into the graceful adult medusae that entrance Aquarium visitors. Not only is this cycle complex, but it is also remarkably delicate, requiring ideal water conditions and precise care at every stage.
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“It’s a bit like farming,” says Krish. “You must create the right environment for each life stage. Any small imbalance in temperature, salinity, or flow can impact whether they survive or thrive.”
The Jelly Lab is far more than a cultivation space. It’s a hub of marine research, part of the broader mission of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. Collaborating with scientists, universities, and conservation organisations, the Foundation conducts important studies on marine health, biodiversity, and pollution. One such project focuses on the presence of microplastics in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront harbour and within the Aquarium itself. Researchers are analysing water samples and marine species to detect plastic particles, heavy metals, and associated pollutants. This is crucial data in the global effort to understand and mitigate human impact on the ocean.
But research at the Jelly Lab doesn’t stay behind closed doors. Education is central to the Aquarium’s ethos, and the Lab’s output to the Jelly Gallery serves as a powerful tool for sparking curiosity. Visitors can learn about jellyfish biology, ecological roles, and even their surprising future potential as indicators of climate change.
“People are often surprised to learn how important jellies are to the ecosystem,” Krish says. “They’re not just drifters—they’re predators, prey, and key indicators of ocean health.”
Image: Supplied
For the team behind the Jelly Lab, every jellyfish bloom is more than a display: It shows exactly what’s possible when science, education, and passion intersect. Their work is a reminder that behind the beauty of the Aquarium’s exhibits lies a dedication to conservation and knowledge that stretches far beyond the tanks.
As visitors marvel at the glowing tanks of the Jelly Gallery, they’re glimpsing the ancient rhythms of marine life, the fragile balance of ocean ecosystems, and the quiet dedication of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s aquarists who make it possible.
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