Shedd Properly Recognizes Granddad
By Rachelle Bowden in Miscellaneous on Dec 13, 2004 1:51PM
Just like all of our grandfathers, the Shedd Aquarium says their "Granddad" just does his thing. He hangs out at the bottom of his freshwater tank chain-smoking cigarettes and bitching about dinner. Oh wait. .. just kidding. Granddad is a 80-something year old Australian lungfish.
As the Shedd prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Granddad's home - a tucked away tank where he lives with 4 younger lungfish, a few rainbow fish, and a couple turtles - is getting a facelift. And officials are finally giving their oldest fish, a fish older than the Shedd Aquarium itself, proper recognition. In 1933 a 10-year-old Graddad arrived from an aquarium in Sydney, just in time for the World's Fair that year. Shedd officials believe he is the oldest fish in a public aquarium in the entire world. Our question - was he named "Granddad" when he arrived, or is that a nickname he acquired as he grew older?
The aquarium plans to shut down for a week next month to prepare for its anniversary celebration. During that time Granddad's tank will be spruced up and will include a new interactive element that will explain his age & story. On January 14 the Shedd will reopen and the public will be able to view this exhibit, as well as the other exhibits for free through January 20th.