SINGAPORE – When the Singapore Oceanarium opens its doors to the public on July 24, you can see a pop culture sensation in the flesh: the albino axolotl.

This charming creature – with its pastel pink skin, wide-set eyes and “feathery” gills that frame a seemingly smiling face – has captivated children and youth since its inclusion in the video game Minecraft in 2021, leading to a surge in demand for axolotl plush toys.

Sharing its habitat is another axolotl with a mottled brown-grey body.

Beyond the thrill of seeing these real-life axolotls, you can learn about this critically endangered salamander species, native to the lakes and wetlands of Mexico.

These axolotls are among the new additions to the former S.E.A. Aquarium. After 12 years of operation, it closed for renovation on April 30 and is now triple its former size.

At the Conquering Land zone, see a pop culture sensation in the flesh: the albino axolotl.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

The expanded space is divided into 22 zones, each telling a story about the ocean’s past, present and future.

One of the first zones visitors will encounter is Ocean Wonders, home to sea jellies which are known to be ancient survivors that have existed for more than 500 million years.

Be mesmerised by more than 1,000 moon jellies inhabiting gracefully in a 6.8m-diameter kreisel tank.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Sea jellies were already a popular attraction at the former aquarium and now enjoy a larger dedicated space, showcasing a diverse variety of sea jelly species, many bred and nurtured in-house by aquarists.

Cylindrical habitats offer a 360-degree view of various species, such as the fried egg sea jellies, named for their distinctive white and yellow bells.

There are also more than 1,000 moon jellies in a 6.8m-diameter kreisel tank, a specialised tank for delicate marine creatures, which offers a mesmerising backdrop for Instagram-loving visitors.

The axolotls can be found in the Conquering Land zone, which features other endangered species such as the Titicaca water frog.

The Singapore’s Coast zone looks set to be another popular area, offering an unique experience of an “intertidal walk” without getting your shoes wet.

Discover an array of local marine life in the tanks, such as spotted seahorses, pencil urchins and bumblebee snails.

Dip your hands into a tank of skunk cleaner shrimps, which gently remove dead skin cells at the Singapore’s Coast zone.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

After washing your hands, you can dip them into a tank of skunk cleaner shrimps, which gently remove dead skin cells.

Some familiar favourites from the former aquarium remain. The iconic Open Ocean exhibit, featuring a 36m-wide, 8m-tall viewing panel, continues to offer an immersive experience with around 120 species, including manta rays and sharks.

The popular Shark Tunnel also provides close-up views of various shark species as they glide overhead.

In Ancient Waters, life-sized animatronics and towering replicas bring long-extinct giants, such as the Dunkleosteus, back to life.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

It is not all about live creatures. At the new Ancient Waters zone, life-sized animatronics and towering replicas bring long-extinct giants, such as the Dunkleosteus, back to life.

For an enhanced experience, download the Singapore Oceanarium mobile app that launches on July 23. It provides exclusive content and augmented and virtual reality features, such as a face-to-face encounter with the formidable Dunkleosteus.

The suspended web at Pier Adventure offers an elevated view of the Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a ninth-century Arabian dhow, and its surroundings.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Young visitors, in particular, will enjoy Pier Adventure, where a suspended web offers an elevated view of the Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a ninth-century Arabian dhow, and its surroundings.

This attraction costs an additional $10 a person and kids have to be aged four and above, or at least 110cm tall. However, it is free until Aug 31 if you buy your entry tickets to Singapore Oceanarium via the app. Kids aged below seven must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 and above. Participants should also wear closed-toe, flat shoes.

Admission for Singapore residents starts at $42 for adults, $35 for children aged four to 12, and $35 for senior citizens aged 60 and above. There are also paid experiences which cost from $28.

For daily activity schedules, such as feeding sessions, go to

singaporeoceanarium.com

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