Bristol Zoo's aquarium has been given a revamp to make visitors aware of the challenges faced in conserving the world's oceans.

The new-look attraction has an underwater-themed mural, a huge replica shark's jaw, replica giant clams and a model of a fishing trawler.

Children can meet aquatic puppets and tackle marine puzzles in a new play area, and a video with a zoo keeper that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the aquarium project and different breeding programmes for fish.

The new aquarium, which cost £30,000, will also see long-snouted seahorses back on display in a special tropical marine tank.

Seahorses are notoriously difficult to breed, and it has taken years for the zoo's staff to create the right breeding conditions for them to survive.

Bristol Zoo's aquarium is home to more than 70 species of fish, from a wide variety of tropical and temperate, freshwater and marine habitats, including the porcupine puffer fish, red-bellied piranha and the giant gourami, a native of South East Asia.

The aquarium was given £5,000 by the Bristol-based Project AWARE Foundation, a non-profit organisation working with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments, and was also funded by Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The make-over aims to explain the threats faced by our underwater environments, the link between sustainable seafood and marine conservation, and why we should choose fish that are sustainable when we shop.

The zoo's project, which took three months to complete, was also supported by the Marine Stewardship Council, which helps tackle marine issues.

Jo Gipps, director of Bristol Zoo Gardens, said: "We are committed to measuring and reducing our environmental impact, as well as encouraging our visitors to do so.

"We are very pleased to have the strands coming together for our impact on the marine environment."