Methuselah - the world's oldest aquarium fish attracts US aquariums

Scientists testing Methuselah's DNA found that the fish, who lives at an aquarium in San Francisco, California, is 92 years old and could live to be 101.

According to the announcement from the American science magazine Smithsonian on September 21, the lungfish named Methuselah is the oldest aquarium fish in the world. Scientists analyzed the DNA of 33 lungfish at research institutes across the United States and Australia to determine their real age. Methuselah is confirmed to be 92 years old this year and could live to be 101 years old.

The animal still swims today at the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences, one of the world's largest natural history museums with more than 46 million specimens, in San Francisco, California.

Methuselah fish. Photo: Cal academy — Methuselah fish. Photo: *Cal academy*

In November 1938, an Australian lungfish named Methuselah arrived at the Steinhart Aquarium on an ocean liner. At the time, America was just recovering from the Great Depression and Germany was still under the rule of Adolf Hitler.

Methuselah was named after a biblical figure who lived to be 969 years old. Like him, Methuselah lived a very long life compared to the 231 other fish brought from Fiji and Australia to San Francisco at the same time.

Charles Delbeek, director of aquarium projects at Steinhart, said that while everyone at the institute knew Methuselah had existed since the 1930s, there was no way to determine the fish's age when it arrived in San Francisco. "It's exciting to finally have it scientifically dated," Delbeek said.

Methuselah - the world's oldest aquarium fish lives at the US aquarium — Video: *YouTube/Cal academy*

Today, Methuselah is considered an "important ambassador for the lungfish," helping to educate and arouse the curiosity of visitors from around the world, aquarium officials said. The fish's daily life at the aquarium and her status as the world's longest-living aquarium fish has helped the museum gain more and more popularity, attracting a large number of visitors to see Methuselah in person.

During her many years at the Steinhart Aquarium, Methuselah has built a reputation for her "charming personality and love of belly rubs," according to aquarium representatives.

Brenda Melton, the aquarium's director of animal care, described Methuselah as a "beautiful and happy fish." "She's been here a long time, she's seen more than anyone else at the aquarium. We're very lucky to have her," Melton said.

The Australian lungfish, or Queensland lungfish, is often referred to as a “living fossil” because its fossil remains date back 380 million years. It has one or two lungs outside its gills. When water levels change or when its habitat experiences a dry period, it can surface to get oxygen. It is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Steinhart Aquarium turns 100 on September 29. It is home to nearly 60,000 animals, representing more than 1,000 species. According to Steinhart's website, it offers visitors an "unprecedented" look at aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Visitors will find species that are not exhibited anywhere else in the world. The aquarium's current role is to "continue to define the role of modern aquariums in educating and inspiring the public about the biodiversity and sustainability of our oceans and rainforests."

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Photo: Tripadvisor — Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Photo: *Tripadvisor*

In addition to Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco also attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to other unique symbols such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Ferry Building, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, and the Walt Disney Family Museum, according to Tripadvisor.

Anh Minh (According to CNN, Smithsonian )

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