Florida opens nation's first museum devoted entirely to jellyfish

Alex and Yana Yanovsky, who previously ran successful aquariums in Ukraine, opened the Jellyfish Museum in Pompano Beach, Florida, converting an old Wells Fargo branch into a nearly 10,000-square-foot exhibit space. The museum houses about 20 distinct jellyfish species sourced from licensed aquaculture partners, rotating them through 21 saltwater tanks that illuminate the animals with projected images and soft lighting.

Guides explain the importance of jellyfish to marine ecosystems, emphasizing their ancient lineage and unique biology. The project received roughly $100,000 in community redevelopment grants from the city. Museum staff describe the environment as designed for calm and tranquility, aiming to leave visitors with a deeper understanding of the roughly 4,000 known jellyfish species worldwide.