The Akron Zoo’s Journey to the Reef will close Nov. 19.
The walk-through space that has been home to colorful sea creatures opened in the indoor exhibit hall inside Komodo Kingdom in May 2012.
Some 1.4 million people have walked through the exhibit since it opened.
Zoo officials say a new exhibit that has yet to be named will open in the spring. The new exhibit will include some aquatic and terrestrial animals along with carnivorous plants.
The zoo will host a Bon Voyage Party on Nov. 19 for the 18 aquariums that were home to more than 40 aquatic species that “live on or near the reef and live coral.”
One of the more popular parts of the exhibit was an open tank area where visitors could touch a stingray.
When it opened, it was the first time octopuses, eels, seahorses, venomous lionfish and clownfish had ever been on display at the zoo.
The zoo was founded in 1953 and is home to more than 700 animals.
The Journey to the Reef also included species of jellyfish, starfish, schooling fish and crabs.
Zoo spokesman David Barnhardt said the critters that called the zoo exhibit home will be sent to other zoos and aquariums.
The zoo, located just west of downtown Akron, is open year-round.
Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3547.