One of the oldest fishes in the world named Granddad which has lived for more than 9 decades has died due to age factor.
Granddad (2004)
An Australian lungfish that entranced visitors to Chicago's Shedd
Aquarium for more than 80 years has been euthanized due to old age, the
popular tourist attraction announced Monday according to the Associated
Press.
Granddad, who was 4-foot-long and weighed 25 pounds, had stopped
eating and started showing signs of organ failure. He was euthanized on
Sunday. A necropsy — or animal autopsy — found conditions consistent
with old age, aquarium officials said.
"For a fish who spent much of his time imitating a fallen log,
he sparked curiosity, excitement and wonder among guests of all ages who
would hear his story," said Bridget C. Coughlin, Shedd Aquarium's president and chief executive officer.
Shedd estimates Granddad was more than 90 years old. The aquarium
acquired him from the Sydney Aquarium in Australia during a 1933
collecting expedition and Granddad was one of two lungfish that
attracted visitors during that year's A Century of Progress
International Exposition in Chicago. Aquarium officials estimate more
than 104 million people saw Granddad over eight decades.
Rob Vernon, a spokesman for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,
said the nonprofit group is unaware of any older fish kept by a zoo or
aquarium that it accredits in the U.S. or eight other countries.
"Granddad lived a pretty relaxed life, enjoyed interactions
with us, including gentle pats along his back, and loved to eat his
leafy greens," said Michelle Sattler, who was Granddad's caretaker for more than 30 years.
Lungfish can live up to 100 years and are a protected species in
Australia. The species has existed for more than 380 million years and
has not changed for 100 million years, according to the aquarium.
Lungfish, as the name suggests, can breathe air.
The fish was euthanized with an overdose quantity of anesthetic that was added to his tank.
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