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A new ambition: to understand and show the world of the benthos

The benthos: a discreet but essential world 
Benthos refers to all organisms living on the bottom of seas, rivers and lakes. These are mainly animals without a skeleton: molluscs, worms, crustaceans or echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, etc.). All these tiny creatures, visible to the naked eye, form an ecosystem that is often overlooked, yet fundamental to the balance of aquatic life. A healthy, diversified benthos is an excellent indicator of a healthy aquatic environment - conversely, a depleted benthos indicates an imbalance, or even pollution.
Today, this approach is at the heart of many environmental monitoring strategies, whether to track the evolution of an environment, measure the effects of pollution or assess the effectiveness of restoration measures.

A strategic choice 

The Paris Aquarium's new development strategy is fully in line with this dynamic. It is based on a simple but powerful biological reality: many pelagic marine species go through a benthic life phase. By taking a closer look at these discreet life forms, the Aquarium de Paris intends not only to enrich its collections and consolidate its existing knowledge of pelagic species, but also to strengthen its role in raising awareness of and research into marine biodiversity.
d'Aquarium's ambition is to combine scientific research, museographic innovation and public awareness.

The figures 

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PROJECTS

  • Breeding and controlling the life cycle of several species of sea slugs
  • Support for a thesis with a researcher on the exploration of benthic cryptofauna in Antarctic regions
  • Educational presentation of mesophotic corals
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sea slug species to be presented soon

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million animal species live in the benthic zone.

The Aquarium's next flagship exhibition: Sea slugs 

The Aquarium de Paris has launched an innovative program to study and breed sea slugs. This project aims to master the life cycles of several colorful and scientifically interesting benthic species, in order to better understand their reproductive mechanisms, their diet, and their interactions with the environment (e.g. kleptoplasty, cnidocyte storage, symbiosis with zooxanthellae). The aim is also to make them visible and intelligible to the general public, in a spirit of enhanced scientific mediation.

This project has a dual vocation: scientific and educational. In terms of conservation, it enables the development of rearing protocols for sensitive or little-studied species, with the potential for transfer to other aquariums or research centers. In terms of informal education, it represents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of benthic biodiversity, often invisible but essential to the health of the ocean. Through interactive aids, workshops and the promotion of their unique characteristics, slugs become a tool for scientific and aesthetic awakening, particularly for young audiences, paving the way for a better understanding of hidden marine life.