Granddad turns 75!

Granddad, an Australian lungfish who has lived at Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium for 75 years, the longest-living fish in any aquarium in the world.”He was here when Model Ts were pulling up to the Shedd,” said Roger Germann, Shedd’s director of public relations. “Granddad bridges so many generation gaps.”

At 4 feet long and 25 pounds, Granddad is the color of a faded brown blanket, with charcoal age spots dotting his back. He was named by a Shedd volunteer years ago, and has gone on to become one of the aquarium’s most popular residents.

“Hey! See the one with the spots — he’s been here since 1933!” a Shedd visitor shouts to a companion, while dumping half of his popcorn bag on the floor in excitement.

“I love Granddad — he’s so cool,” coos a teenaged girl, pressing her nose to the tank.

Read the whole story (with picture) in the on-line Daily Herald.