The year has opened with the passing of some of the world's oldest creatures. Now another one has joined the list. The world's oldest aquarium fish has died.
Granddad is a lung fish that has been with Chicago's Shedd Aquarium. It has been well known there, having been a feature of the Shedd Aquarium for 80 years. Granddad is one of two lung fishes that Shedd Aquarium has been given to it by Taronga Zoo and Aquarium in Sydney, Australia.
The two lung fishes had been first spotted in 1933 at a Pacific collecting exhibit. The two lung fishes were acquired in the hope of attracting more visitors at another exhibit. Since that time, Granddad has become an attraction to more than 104 million people.
Granddad has declined over time due to aging. Shedd Aquarium has said in its statement that the lung fish has been euthanized because of it. Granddad has been noticed to first show a lack of interest in his diet. Later on he has begun to stop eating. An autopsy would be made for Granddad, though officials say that his condition has been consistent with aging.
Bridget Coughlin, President and CEO of Shedd Aquarium, has said that Granddad has given visitors wonder and curiosity in the time he spent there. She also said that lung fishes are one of the living fossils in the world today. In Australia, lung fishes are a protected species, according to Fox News.
Michelle Sattler, one of Granddad's keepers, has estimated that he is around 100 years of age. She has also said that he enjoyed eating leafy greens as well as treats on Earthworm Wednesdays. Many employees at Shedd Aquarium are saddened by his demise, as the Chicago Sun Times reports.
Even VIPs have stopped by Granddad's tank on tours. One of the latest ones to have seen him was singer Meghan Trainor. Australian Consul General Michael Wood has said that Granddad has been a fine ambassador both of Australia and the US. Granddad measured four feet and was about 25 pounds.
A few notable creatures have passed away recently. Now the world's oldest aquarium fish has died. Also a herd of bison has been placed in Canada's oldest national park.
