Make a Big Splash with Louisiana Fishes
The LSU Museum of Natural Science fish exhibit, “Making a Big Splash with Louisiana Fishes” aims to educate visitors not only about Louisiana fishes, but also about aquatic life all over the world. It touches on the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River, bioluminescence, fish ecosystems, and the systematics & biogeography of fishes.
Exhibit Layout
- Oarfish, Regalecus russelii, the longest bonyfish
- Gafftopsail Catfish, Bagre marinus
- Black Triggerfish, Melichthys niger
- Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula (painted like a Spotted Gar, Lepisosteus oculatus..oops)
- American Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula
- Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides
- Atlantic Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus
- Dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias
- The Louisiana Pancake Batfish – Halieutichthys intermedius
- Gulf of Mexico
- Tripodfish
- The Mississippi River
- Sturgeon and Paddlefish
- Freshwater Fishing in Louisiana
- Overview text of the exhibit and Fish Section at LSU MNS
- Video Display of LSU collecting trips, SERPENT videos, etc.,
- A Fragile Ecosystem – 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
- Bioluminescence in the Deep Sea – with light-up display
- Fish Habitats – deep sea, Amazon River, caves, coral reefs
- Gondwana Map with moving continents display
- Historical Biogeography
- Question and Answers, pop-up display
The Making a Big Splash with Louisiana Fishes exhibit book aims to complement the exhibit. In addition to the exhibit content, the book features 10 kid’s activities, a short fiction story, and a guide to Louisiana’s common fishes. Download the free pdf below or purchase a hardcopy color version either from the museum front office (119 Foster Hall) for $16.50 each (CHECKS ONLY) OR online at lsufoundation.org/fishbook for $23 (includes cost of shipping).