Shedd Aquarium’s new exhibit all about jellies

• Reprints

One hole is for food.

The same hole is for waste.

And reproduction.

The mesmerizing simplicity of the jelly gets its own special spot at the Shedd Aquarium on Friday, when “Jellies” opens. The exhibit continues through May 28, 2012.

With their one hole in the dead center of their bodies, the brainless, bloodless, boneless jellies can perform all their essential functions. Many of the jellies on exhibit, who all live in saltwater, are Chicago born and bred at the Shedd.

Ten to 12 jelly species will be on display at a time, and the varieties will rotate during the exhibit, said Mark Schick, Shedd’s collection manager for the special exhibit.

Jellies are often mistakenly called jellyfish but are not fish but invertebrates, said Ken Ramirez, Shedd’s vice president of animal collections and training.