Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium

[TurningOfTheWheel]

Beluga whale Kimalu has undergone surgery to remove cysts around her head and neck. In the process, she became the first beluga to recover from general anesthesia (and the second to go under general anesthesia, after Kayavak in April).

https://www.sheddaquarium.org/about-shedd/press-releases/kimalu-procedure-anesthesia

 

[Haliaeetus]

Shedd Aquarium houses now a rescued Californian Sea Otter called JADE
Shedd Aquarium on Instagram: "Meet the newest rescued sea otter at Shedd. Introducing… Jade! After a surprise-and-delight naming vote from our guests, Jade earned her name — inspired by Jade’s Cove, a stunning stretch of California coastline just south of Monterey. This curious 3-year-old joins our rescued otter raft as a potential surrogate and ambassador, helping connect visitors to the kelp forests and coastlines her species calls home. Since arriving at Shedd, Jade has been making a splash — exploring the exhibit, meeting fellow otters like Luna and Watson and practicing important skills like grooming, foraging and diving. And yes, you might just spot her wrapped in an enrichment toy: colorful carwash strips that mimic kelp. Plan your visit this summer to meet Jade and the rest of the rescued raft! What do you love about her name? Or… what would you have named her? #SheddAquarium #MeettheOtters"

 

[Smaggledagle]

3 Pieces of Early 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On July 16th, the aquarium announced that 2 southern rockhopper penguins hatched on June 18th and June 20th respectively.

14K views · 513 reactions | Welcoming Two New Rockhopper Chicks to Shedd | Get ready to rockhop with excitement — we've got double the news! We are welcoming two new southern rockhopper penguin chicks to the colony at Shedd... | By Shedd Aquarium | Facebook

On January 30th, the aquarium announced that the penguins were named Douglas and Pico, respectively.

Shedd Aquarium

On March 7th, it was announced that the aquarium acquired a female (0.1) zebra shark from Fort Wayne Zoo in Indiana.

16K views · 185 reactions | Ladies and gentleman... Flauta the zebra shark is the newest shark species to join us at the Fort Wayne Zoo! Swim on by The Reef in Australian Adventure to meet Flauta when the Zoo opens for the 2025 season on March 28. | Fort Wayne Zoo

On March 17th, the aquarium announced they moved a group of sunflower sea stars on display in the Polar Play Zone.

Watch Baby Sea Stars Grow in Shedd Aquarium’s Care with Debut on Exhibit | Shedd Aquarium

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On September 3rd, the aquarium announced their former director of 29 years (1964-1993), Emeritus William "Bill" Baker, sadly passed away on July 27th at age 99. His tenure was responsible for opening the Caribbean Reef and Abbott Oceanarium exhibts among others.

Shedd Aquarium Mourns Loss of Visionary Former Director, William "Bill" Braker | Shedd Aquarium

* Worth noting that a male (1.0) California sea lion named Tanner passed away in December 2024.

 

[Ebirah766]

On September 3rd, the aquarium announced their former director of 29 years (1964-1993), Emeritus William "Bill" Baker, sadly passed away on July 27th at age 99. His tenure was responsible for opening the Caribbean Reef and Abbott Oceanarium exhibts among others.

RIP to an absolute genius (and as the kids say GOAT) of public aquaria and aquarium design.

 

[Local_Shark]

I think with respect to the zebra shark, it’s the reverse? FWZ got her from Shedd, if I’m reading that correctly.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

I found this video that shows a lot of construction footage going on, nothing new that I can see since a lot of the Phase 3 construction is still in the foundation phase, but it is interesting to hear them talk about it.
And on a separate note, skimmed through an old press conference video about the renovations, and they basically confirm that Japanese Spider Crabs and Pacific Hagfish will be a part of the Whalefall exhibits. Which isn't surprising, but nice to see at least a few more things confirmed.

 

[Ebirah766]

Didn't they also confirm red king crabs?

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Didn't they also confirm red king crabs?

I think i missed that part but wouldn't be surprised, they'd fit right in. The concept art only shows 2 tanks, so I'd imagine the smaller one would be for the Hagfish and the larger one will be a mixed exhibit. I know Birch Aquarium (they didn't have them when I visited but we're planning on it) are mixing their Japanese Spider Crabs and Giant Isopods, so i could see the larger tank being Japanese Spider Crabs / Red King Crabs / Giant Isopods / some sort of fish or two like Snipefish. But Shedd's Coldwater collection is also surprisingly good, so i could see them pulling some surprises (not like MBA, but rarer than your average Whalefall exhibit)

 

[CMP]

I found this video that shows a lot of construction footage going on, nothing new that I can see since a lot of the Phase 3 construction is still in the foundation phase, but it is interesting to hear them talk about it.
And on a separate note, skimmed through an old press conference video about the renovations, and they basically confirm that Japanese Spider Crabs and Pacific Hagfish will be a part of the Whalefall exhibits. Which isn't surprising, but nice to see at least a few more things confirmed.

Woah, two Agnathids at one aquarium? Perhaps I've been too harsh on the renovation plans...

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

I think i missed that part but wouldn't be surprised, they'd fit right in. The concept art only shows 2 tanks, so I'd imagine the smaller one would be for the Hagfish and the larger one will be a mixed exhibit. I know Birch Aquarium (they didn't have them when I visited but we're planning on it) are mixing their Japanese Spider Crabs and Giant Isopods, so i could see the larger tank being Japanese Spider Crabs / Red King Crabs / Giant Isopods / some sort of fish or two like Snipefish. But Shedd's Coldwater collection is also surprisingly good, so i could see them pulling some surprises (not like MBA, but rarer than your average Whalefall exhibit)

I might have an upcoming chance to finally visit Shedd which I'm really looking forward to, and found what I believe is the most up to date walkthrough tour that shows the entire aquarium, if anyone else was interested.
I don't mean to make this a fantasy post but I really overlooked the species they already have, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get a ton of new species in terms of the Whalefall exhibits. I definitely they think they could fit a 3rd tank in this area, especially since they already confirmed the Pacific Hagfish which don't need much space at all since they stay in the same spot 95% of the time.
Honestly, what I could see the plan being is:
Tank 1: Pacific Hagfish (confirmed new species)
Tank 2: Japanese Spider Crabs, Japanese Armorheads, Snipefish, Boarfish, Redfish (all moving over from the "Oceans" gallery since they'll need a new place to go anyways)
Tank 3: Giant Isopods (I don't see why they wouldn't bring these in) though in the concept art, this tank does show it having fish in it so I could also see the Snipefish or Boarfish moving here as well instead of the largest tank with the Spider Crabs.
I don't see where the Cherry Anthias could go in the new space unfortunately since the temperatures would be too cold for them, so hopefully they're moved somewhere in the Wild Reef instead of being phased out.
I imagine most of their focus for the new gallery is going to be on the Caribbean Tunnel since they already have a good roster of species for the Kelp Forest Tank and the Whalefall exhibits. Only 1 year left till the gallery opens is really exciting, hopefully we'll get some new updates in the coming months.

 

[birdsandbats]

I might have an upcoming chance to finally visit Shedd which I'm really looking forward to, and found what I believe is the most up to date walkthrough tour that shows the entire aquarium, if anyone else was interested.
I don't mean to make this a fantasy post but I really overlooked the species they already have, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get a ton of new species in terms of the Whalefall exhibits. I definitely they think they could fit a 3rd tank in this area, especially since they already confirmed the Pacific Hagfish which don't need much space at all since they stay in the same spot 95% of the time.
Honestly, what I could see the plan being is:
Tank 1: Pacific Hagfish (confirmed new species)
Tank 2: Japanese Spider Crabs, Japanese Armorheads, Snipefish, Boarfish, Redfish (all moving over from the "Oceans" gallery since they'll need a new place to go anyways)
Tank 3: Giant Isopods (I don't see why they wouldn't bring these in) though in the concept art, this tank does show it having fish in it so I could also see the Snipefish or Boarfish moving here as well instead of the largest tank with the Spider Crabs.
I don't see where the Cherry Anthias could go in the new space unfortunately since the temperatures would be too cold for them, so hopefully they're moved somewhere in the Wild Reef instead of being phased out.
I imagine most of their focus for the new gallery is going to be on the Caribbean Tunnel since they already have a good roster of species for the Kelp Forest Tank and the Whalefall exhibits. Only 1 year left till the gallery opens is really exciting, hopefully we'll get some new updates in the coming months.

Shedd already has (had?) Giant Isopods in the Oceans gallery.

 

[Persephone]

Shedd already has (had?) Giant Isopods in the Oceans gallery.

Had.

Went today. The Tasmanian king crabs are no longer signed and I did not see them. I did finally see the giant centipede. Or at least their head poking out of a burrow by the driftwood. Parrots were no shows. Also did not see the mata-mata. Did finally see the pygmy sunfish. Does anyone know what the almost metallic looking catfish in with the arapaima is?

 

[Ebirah766]

Had.

Went today. The Tasmanian king crabs are no longer signed and I did not see them. I did finally see the giant centipede. Or at least their head poking out of a burrow by the driftwood. Parrots were no shows. Also did not see the mata-mata. Did finally see the pygmy sunfish. Does anyone know what the almost metallic looking catfish in with the arapaima is?

The Brachyplatysoma?

 

[Persephone]

The Brachyplatysoma?

I suppose that would be signed as the gilded catfish then. Except I thought the gilded catfish (Z. zungaro) was the very big one. I figured one was the gilded and one was the dorado but wasn’t sure which was which.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

The Tasmanian king crabs are no longer signed and I did not see them.

Dang it, this one sucks to hear. Was hoping to see them when I visit sometime next month (most likely the 14th). Could be coming back for one of the "Whalefall" Tanks hopefully based on their habitat.
Speaking of, anything noteworthy I should be on the lookout for at Shedd? I have a good idea on what to see (their incredible Temperate collection, some of the Elasmos, cetaceans of course, everything in general honestly since I've been wanting to visit for so long), but is there anything i should really pay attention to?

 

[Bengal Tiger]

I suppose that would be signed as the gilded catfish then. Except I thought the gilded catfish (Z. zungaro) was the very big one. I figured one was the gilded and one was the dorado but wasn’t sure which was which.

The very large one is the gilded and the silver one is the dorado, I believe. Just curious, where did you see the gilded? I've only seen it in two spots in the aquarium, primarily in the front right hand corner behind a large log, though I spotted it once in the shallows at the back end of the tank with its dorsal fin out of the water.

 

[JVM]

Dang it, this one sucks to hear. Was hoping to see them when I visit sometime next month (most likely the 14th). Could be coming back for one of the "Whalefall" Tanks hopefully based on their habitat.
Speaking of, anything noteworthy I should be on the lookout for at Shedd? I have a good idea on what to see (their incredible Temperate collection, some of the Elasmos, cetaceans of course, everything in general honestly since I've been wanting to visit for so long), but is there anything i should really pay attention to?

I've been going to Shedd my whole life and I am so spoiled by it I genuinely have no clue what we have that is even special in the aquarium world, so I would actually be super curious as well what others may suggest you look out for, or what you may already know to look out for!

 

[Persephone]

Dang it, this one sucks to hear. Was hoping to see them when I visit sometime next month (most likely the 14th). Could be coming back for one of the "Whalefall" Tanks hopefully based on their habitat.
Speaking of, anything noteworthy I should be on the lookout for at Shedd? I have a good idea on what to see (their incredible Temperate collection, some of the Elasmos, cetaceans of course, everything in general honestly since I've been wanting to visit for so long), but is there anything i should really pay attention to?

Ton of stuff on Amazon Rising that’s barely found elsewhere, most notably the giant gilded catfish. South American lungfish aren’t exactly common, but good luck seeing them at Shedd. You’d have better luck at Brookfield if they’re on display right now, can’t remember. Bowmouth guitarfish and engineer gobies are some of my favorites in the basement. Great Lakes gallery is full of stuff that’s uncommon in U.S. aquaria. Pallid sturgeon, pygmy sunfish, cisco, and sea lamprey all have five or fewer AZA holders.

The very large one is the gilded and the silver one is the dorado, I believe. Just curious, where did you see the gilded? I've only seen it in two spots in the aquarium, primarily in the front right hand corner behind a large log, though I spotted it once in the shallows at the back end of the tank with its dorsal fin out of the water.

Today I saw it ‘standing upright’ by the fake tree in the middle, mouth occasionally breaking the surface and tail on the ground. Otherwise I’ve only seen it in the other two spots you mentioned.

 

[CMP]

Dang it, this one sucks to hear. Was hoping to see them when I visit sometime next month (most likely the 14th). Could be coming back for one of the "Whalefall" Tanks hopefully based on their habitat.
Speaking of, anything noteworthy I should be on the lookout for at Shedd? I have a good idea on what to see (their incredible Temperate collection, some of the Elasmos, cetaceans of course, everything in general honestly since I've been wanting to visit for so long), but is there anything i should really pay attention to?

It's pretty hard to single out anything- there's rare species everywhere. I'd recommend getting the Shedd Go app and scanning through there, and paying attention to the species lists for each tank to make sure you don't miss anything you'd regret. There's been some good recommendations above, and don't hesitate to reach out for more specific questions.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

The Aquarium announced the reveal of a female Linne's Two-toed Sloth, named Alface who was born at the Dallas Zoo in 2023. She's the first sloth at Shedd in 20 years. She arrived back in September and has been settling in behind the scenes. When she's ready, she'll serve as a new face-to-face ambassador species to represent "Amazon Rising" and the Amazon Rainforest.
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/about-shedd/press-releases/alface-two-toed-sloth-introduction