Granddad , the universe ’s quondam fish in a zoological setting , has die after around 95 eld of life .
The gerontological male lungfish ( Neoceratodus forsteri ) get in at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in 1933 from Australia in preparation for the Chicago World ’s Fair of 1933 - 34 . His age on comer was unknown , so his exact age remains a mystery story . After 84 years at the aquarium , he was humanely euthanized on Sunday due to a sudden decline in health . A full necropsy will be carried out , but initial finding advise it was Hammond organ unsuccessful person because of old age .
“ It is unbelievable to do it that over 104 million client had the opportunity to see Granddad in our care and learn about his unique species over eight decades , ” aquarium President and CEO Bridget Coughlin said in astatement . “For a fish who spent much of his clock time imitating a fallen log , he spark curiosity , fervour and marvel among Edgar Albert Guest of all ages who would get wind his fib and instruct about the unbelievable biology that crap his species a survive fogy and one of the oldest surviving craniate genus on the planet . ”
There are six unlike species of lungfish in the world . Fossil records show that they were around at least 380 million years ago and have stayed unchanged for over 100 million year .
These awesome creatures are also one of the few fish that can take a breather in water and in gentle wind ( hence the name ) . This species has just one primitive lung , which it uses if it ’s in shallow water . Granddad ’s carers excuse that he used to come on several times an 60 minutes to do a noisy snorting gulp for air .
Michelle Sattler , collections managing director who has care for Granddad for over 30 years bring : “ Granddad lived a pretty relaxed life , enjoy interaction with us , include gentle tap along his back , and have it off to eat up his leafy putting surface . But , dirt ball were by all odds his favorite and he would become quite animated on what became Earthworm Wednesdays , when they were dropped into his habitat – repair for a very slow - moving Pisces . We loved him . And he will be painfully miss . ”
RIP Granddad – you were a shining case to your wonderful and downright unearthly species .
