Fish
Piranhas
Serrasalmus/Pygocentrus nattereri
There are approximately 20 species of piranha that live in the Amazon river. The ones known for being highly aggressive are the red-bellied piranha (pictured on the left), which are also the most common. Piranha hatch from microscopic eggs and on their way to adulthood they are mainly herbivores. The adult fish travel in schools of about 20 fish. There is much hype and misunderstanding in popular culture surrounding piranhas. It is rare that humans suffer serious injuries from piranhas, although they are a nuisance for fishermen.
For further reading see: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Piranha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_piranha#In_the_media
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
3-B-O
Rainbow Trout are a fresh water fish that are pretty common to Idaho. They can grow as heavy as 3 lbs, and when they lay eggs the baby are called sac fry. They can also come in two colors. A greenish red, or a silver. - H. McEwen
sTURGEON
Acipenser oxyrinchus
3-C-O
A sturgeon evolution dates back to the triassic era 245 to 208 million years ago. They are native to subtropical, temperate and sub-Arctic rivers, lakes and coastlines of Eurasia and north america. Several species of Sturgeon can grow pretty big, estimated to be about 7-12 feet long. Although there is one sturgeon that was found in 1827, that weighed about 3,463 lb and was 24 ft long.
-J. Del Toro
Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
Section 2-A-O
Range: Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Washington State, Oregon, and California
Sockeye Salmon are known for their silvery flank and bluish top. Only upon their return from the ocean to spawn do these “bluebacks” become red. Because they need cold, clear, fresh water to reproduce, these anadromous fish are good indicators of watershed health. While the males large size and brilliant coloration may be appealing to a mate, it also makes them easily visible to predators such as bears, birds, and humans. -- T. Jeske
Mako Shark Teeth
Isurus Oxyrinchus
5-B-O
The mako shark is the fastest shark, at times recorded going 46 mph. It mainly feeds on fish like tunas and mackerels and swordfish, but will at times also attack dolphins, and other sharks. They consume 3% of their own body fat and it takes them 1.5 to 2 days to consume a meal. They live in temperate and tropical seas worldwide.
- J. Manderscheid
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula
6-A-O
Located around the Southeast coast of the United States, this gar may be easily mistaken for the common reptiles, alligators, who are widely known to live in this region. This creature beholds two rows of teeth in its large snout along with keen scales that accessorize its body. Considerably larger than the other seven species of gar, the Alligator Gar is easily ranked among the largest of all freshwater fish. --E. Sharp
NEEDLE-NOSE Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
6-A-O
This gar has been found in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America for around 100 million years. They can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater, and are mostly found in areas with downed trees, stone outcrops, and vegetation. These great fish usually eat smaller fish (including other gar), crustaceans, and sometimes insects. Needle-nose gar are known to live 15-20 years in the wild and lay around 27,000 eggs in one clutch! - I. Trent
Common Stingray
Dasyatis pastinaca
1-A-O
Pictured is a common stingray. Despite the fact that the common stingray is venomous, its sting is not usually fatal to humans, unless the stinger pierces vital organs. The sting is very painful, however, and pieces of the stinger may break off in the wound, requiring removal. The common stingray can most easily be found in sandy areas. -Z. McMurry
King Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
1-A-O
The king Salmon is more commonly known as a Chinook Salmon. It is the largest species in the the Pacific salmon genus Oncorhynchus. King Salmon are anadromous fish native to the North Pacific Ocean, along with river systems of western North America. On average, they can grow up to three feet long and weigh approximately 30 pounds. However, some king salmon can reach up to five feet long and 110 pounds in weight. -C. Boettcher
Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus Keta
1-A-O
The Chum Salmon is of the anadromous fish in the salmon family. They may also be known as keta salmon, or as dog salmon. It is often marketed under the name silverbrite salmon. Chum are a ocean colored, meaning silvery blue green with dark spotting. Some chum travel more that 2,000 miles up the Yukon River for living purposes. -C. Boettcher
puffer fish
Tetraodontidae
Building 2- Contact Mr. Olsen to see!
Puffer fish inflate due to inhaling a large amount of water, while they inflate they can also shoot out a toxin that is 1200 times more lethal then cyanide. Scientists believe they gained this defense mechanism due to be poor swimmers. Sharks are the only animals that are immune to a puffer fish's toxin. -G.Pirtle
Scrawled Filefish
Aluterus scriptus
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for access
This fish is found in lagoons and reefs. It is usually a popular choice for divers and aquariums because they are showy and move pretty slowly. When frightened, they will get into very small crevices and extend spines on the top and bottom of their body to wedge themselves in tighter. While they are collected for aquarium trade, they are also gamefish in some areas. However, if the skin is eaten, there should be extreme caution because there have been reports of ciguatera poisoning. These mild fish munch on algae, seagrass, hydrozoans, and anemones. - I. Trent
Rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
4-C-O
The rainbow trout is a trout and species of salmoind native to cold water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North American. The average weight is 1 to 5 lbs but they can reach to 20 lbs.
A. Blackwell-Besse
PUFFER FISH
Tetraodontidae
1-C-I
The puffer fish family has about 100 different species. The reason they are called puffer fish is because when they feel threatened, they puff up about twice their usual size by swallowing water. When they are puffed up, they can only swim about half as fast as they usually can. Puffer fish are said to be the second most poisonous vertebrates. -C. Boettcher
Sword Fish
Xiphias gladius
Located in East Building - Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
Quite the sharp fish, the swordfish is known for more than its namesake. Its blade-shaped nose is quite radical while used for penetrating its prey, and it makes up for its lack of teeth and pelvic fins. This fish is found in warm, temperate oceans around the world and is the only species of its family; it is truly one-of-a-kind. --E. Sharp
Alligator Gar
Artactosteus spatula
1-B-O
Fossil records trace the Alligator Gar back to a hundred million years ago. They have a digestive tract like a shark, but they take on the shape of an American alligator. Scientific resorts suggest that an alligator gar can grow up to 10 feet tall. They have also been recorded to weigh as much as 300 pounds. One of the largest catches recorded a 9 foot, 327 pound alligator gar. -C. Boettcher
Arctic Grayling
Thymallus arcticus
Located in East Building -Contact Mr. Olsen for Access
An arctic grayling really has a useful life—living up to 32 years old. In this lifespan, they use this time swimming through the Arctic, from Russia east to the Hudson Bay area. They can survive in the uncommon conditions that come with living under ice; this allows them to live through long winters. In the summer these fish are opportunistic eaters—dieting on insects to smaller fish whereas in the winter they feed minimally and opposite of that in the winter. These beautiful poly chrome fish shine in through the water, yet it is rare to find them in the U.S. due to over fishing. --E. Sharp
piranha
Pygocentrus nattereri
4-B-O
Piranhas are a freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. They are known for their sharp teeth, and powerful jaws. Depending on the exact species, most piranha's grow to be between 5-14 inches long. They have one of the most strongest bites found in bony fish. A. Blackwell-Besse
sharks
Selachimorpha
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
Until the 16th century, sharks were known to mariners as "sea dogs". Sharks lifespan vary by the species, most live 20-30 years. Sharks swim an average speed of 5 mph, but when feeding or attacking they can reach up to 12 mph. They are found in all seas, but they generally do not live in fresh water. But a bull shark and a river shark can swim in both sea and fresh water. A. Blackwell-Besse
mackinaw trout
Salvelinus namaycush
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
Lake trout is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, namaycush, lake char, touladi, togue, and grey trout. They weight about 40 lbs. Lake trout are the largest of the chars; the record weighed almost 102 lbs.
A. Blackwell-Besse
Blue catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Building 2- Contact Mr. Olsen
The blue catfish is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 65 inches and a weight of 150 pounds. The average length is about 25–46 in. The fish can live to 20 years. They will eat any species of fish they can catch. A. Blackwell-Besse
sockeye salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
The sockeye salmon is sometimes called red or blueback salmon, due to its color. Sockeye salmon, also called red salmon, kokanee salmon, or blueback salmon, is an anadromous species of salmon found in the Northern Pacific Ocean and rivers discharging into it.
A. Blackwell-Besse
northern pike
Esox lucius
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
The northern pike, known simply as a pike in Britain, Ireland, most of Canada, and most parts of the United States, is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox. They are typical of brackish and fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The can weigh up to 34 lbs. They only live for about 7 years in the wild.
A. Blackwell-Besse
Sailfish
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
The sailfish is the fastest fish in the world, with speeds recorded at 70 mph.
elect trout
Building 2 - Contact Mr. Olsen
This is an elect trout from flaming gorge that Mr. Olsen caught.
Learn more about the stories of the fish from Mr. Olsen!
