BROOK TROUT 



The aquarium generally has on display about 

 a hundred species of fresh-water fish and other 

 aquatic animals. These comprise a selected 

 group of the principal fresh- water game fishes 

 of the country and a miscellaneous collection 

 of other interesting native fishes, together 

 with a few unusual tropical fishes and some 

 larger aquatic reptiles and amphibians. Since 

 the aquarium does not have facilities for salt 

 water, marine fishes are not included. 



Several kinds of trout, bass, bluegills, pike, 

 and giant catfish are always on hand. Some 

 of these have lived at the National Aquarium 

 for a number of years. 



In addition to the fish groups, exhibits of 

 interest are the giant alligator snapping turtles. 

 These obtain their food in an unusual way, 

 holding their jaws wide open under water 

 while a wormlike filament of flesh attached to 

 the tongue is waved about to attract curious 

 fish. Also of note are the pancake-shaped 

 soft-shelled turtles which breathe through 

 their elongated snorkel snouts. 



