One of the Oldest Captive Fish in US
Celebrates 65 Years at
California Academy of Sciences

Australian Lungfish arrived at Steinhart Aquarium in 1938

What: A short ceremony will mark the 65th birthday of Methuselah, an Australian lungfish that is believed to be the oldest fish in any US aquarium - if not the entire world. Methuselah has lived at the Steinhart Aquarium since he arrived in 1938, already a fully-grown adult. Officials from the California Academy of Sciences and the Australian Consulate will be on hand for a short ceremony at 11:00 am and to blow out the candles of a large birthday cake. School children will be on hand to sing "Happy Birthday."

Where: California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park.

When: Tuesday, November 18th, 2003; 11 - 11:30 am

Who: Dr. Patrick Kociolek, Executive Director, California Academy of Sciences
Bob Jenkins, Director, Steinhart Aquarium
Officials from the Australian Consulate

Background: Methuselah is the largest fish in his tank. The second largest fish is named Herb, after the late, great S.F. Chronicle columnist, Herb Caen. Herb arrived at the Steinhart Aquarium in 1952. Lungfish are native to Australia and are capable of breathing atmospheric air.

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