[citation needed] The Academy oversaw the design and construction of the original attraction jointly with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

But the biggest problem was the animals themselves: as a New Jersey–based operation, the original aquarium displayed only native fishes, mainly brown and grey in color, and just about nothing else.

The aquarium never closed during this reconstruction phase, but many exhibits were periodically offline or inaccessible, making the small building even smaller.

"[8] The rotunda was upgraded with the addition of a large, spinning mobile in the domed ceiling, made from more than a thousand polished aluminum fish shapes.

Even staff members complemented the new experience: the black and purple aquarium uniform, patterned on the then-hit TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation, was worn by anyone who worked in public view.

These changes and modifications helped to improve the organization's image, boost attendance, and assist the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences' effort to stabilize the attraction for long-term operations.

On July 1, 1995, the New Jersey State Aquarium reopened after a further $4 million renovation to update the surroundings in order to draw in more visitors.

Work began briefly on a ride attraction in the old gift shop, but was halted halfway through due to lack of funds.

In 2003, Columbus, Ohio-based Steiner + Associates began negotiations on a lease agreement for the existing aquarium and a development contract for the lands that surround it.

As it became clear that the Academy lacked the financial ability to undertake such a project, the State of New Jersey (who owns the buildings and the land) began to look for potential investors, developers, and operators for the aquarium.

In December 6, 2009, volunteer diver Robert Large received a bite from a sand-tiger shark, permanently prohibiting him from diving again.

The organization that oversaw the volunteer diver program at Adventure Aquarium, NJAAS, allegedly promised to cover all of his $75,000 medical expense; however, he received only $20,000.

It features Indo-Pacific, Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Central and South American aquatic life such as the yellow-head jawfish and coypu.

This 30-foot-tall (9.1 m) tropical, riparium waterfall-tank rests in the hollow of a large, 50-foot-tall (15 m) coral reef tank designed into the original building, but never completed.

The 154-seat theatre, sponsored by Public Service Electric and Gas, includes a 3-D film shown with environmental effects (water ‘spray’, wind ‘gusts’, and hydraulic seat movements) that combine to bring riders closer to the experience.

Adventure Aquarium was one of very few facilities in the country that permitted its guests to voluntarily touch moon jellies, northern lobsters, or pink shrimp.

This was to better replicate the natural, South African coastal environment of the penguins, adding heated rock fixtures and a larger, 17k-gallon saltwater pool, with underwater viewing windows.

[18] From June 7 to September 2, 2013, “Mighty Mike” (an American alligator from Lake Talquin, Florida) was featured at the Adventure Aquarium.

The aquarium rescued and rehabilitated a hatchling loggerhead sea turtle named Darwin in August 2017 and prepared it for life in the wild.

This structure accommodates three exhibits, a food service area, main entry atrium, gift shop, casual dining restaurant, and the CURRENTS banquet ballroom.

The two females, named Button and Genny, were sent by The Walt Disney Company from their Animal Kingdom theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, at relatively young ages: eight and five, respectively.