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Malawi sandsifters have long, trailing fins on their backs and bellies.

Freshwater Fishes

More than 15,000 species of freshwater fishes are part of healthy rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands around the world.

Freshwater lake sturgeon have long, scaleless bodies with ridges along their spines.

Spotlight on Sturgeon

Unbelievable lives in your backyard! The lake sturgeon is a Great Lakes native—and a living fossil, first appearing in the fossil record some 136 million years ago.

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Whitenose suckers have a long, tapered body with a small, pointed fin on their spine.

Studying the "Wildebeest of the Great Lakes"

When you hear the word "migration," you probably think of birds, but fish migrate too. Since 2017, Shedd's Director of Freshwater Research Dr. Karen Murchie has been studying the migration patterns of suckers, which she fondly refers to as the "wildebeests of the Great Lakes."

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“There are so many amazing fish that live in fresh waters. I’ve always been happy to share so many fish species that rely on these environments to sustain life.”

Erica Hornbrook, Senior Director of Animal Care and Sustainability

Tambaqui

Clouded Archerfish

Paddlefish

Violet-Line Piranha

Moonlight gourami

Lungfish

Cichlid

Arapaima

Red-bellied Piranha