Toledo Zoo Aquarium in Ohio, US, has closed its doors this week for two years while a $25m (£15.5m, 19m euro) transformation takes place, which will see the volume of exhibits triple and become much more interactive and engaging.

Improvements will include touch tanks, pop-up domes inside exhibits and floor to ceiling tanks. Centrepiece will be a large tank with a microphoned diver who will give educational talks while feeding the fish.

"We are creating a richer, more tactile experience for visitors with this renovation, as well as updating the aquarium with modern technology," says Jeff Sailor, the zoo's executive director.

While the renovations take place the rare fish are being kept at a warehouse on site, while others – around 75 per cent of the collection – have been shipped off to other zoos.

Fish will start to return at the end of 2014, ready for the relaunch in April 2015.