NEWPORT, Ky. – A Northern Kentucky aquarium will unveil a new exhibition on Friday. 

The Newport Aquarium calls it "Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels."

A new exhibition explores the ruins of a sunken ship and took about 2 years to put together.

“Create this really immersible environment that's literally going to transport families like they are walking along the bottom of the ocean floor through a real shipwreck,” said Eric Rose, executive director.

Rose said they're using the theme to focus on artificial reefs.

“The world's coral reefs are under great threat from warming oceans to diseases and viruses and things and we have the ability to create artificial reefs,” Rose said.

He says the reefs create a healthy ecosystem for hundreds of animals in the exhibition which includes eels and brightly colored fish.

The new exhibition is a $1 million investment and one of the biggest developments since the Newport aquarium opened in 1999. 

It features five zones that range from Captain's Quarters to Ropes and Rigging filled with Lionfish.

Senior marine biologist Jen Hazeres said it is about making education come to life. 

“If you were even out in the wild, swimming near them you probably wouldn't get too close to them but here they interact a little bit. some fish are shy- these guys are not shy at all,” Hazeres said.

The Newport Aquarium has thousands of animals from around the world and is open 365 days a year.