MORPH’D presented by PAR®
From the colorful to the camouflaged, from the slightly slimy to the super smooth, each animal in MORPH’D presented by PAR® tells a unique story of survival. You’ll learn the shocking truth about electric eels and paddlefish, see through the eyes of a mudskipper or four-eyed fish and discover toxic tales of red cherry shrimp and poison dart frogs. And, so much more! Located in the Aquarium’s new Mosaic Exhibit Hall on the 2nd floor, MORPH’D presented by PAR® is a highly interactive experience featuring utterly engaging and resilient species with unique adaptations.
High Sensory Area
Animal Spotlight: Paddlefish
Not a paddle…it’s a rostrum! Paddlefish have developed an enlarged rostrum that extends on the front of their heads. Covered with electroreceptors, the rostrum helps them navigate the surrounding environment and helps them locate food. This species is a filter feeder that swim at their food with mouths wide open to catch small prey in their gill rakers.
Fun Fact: The American paddlefish (aka the Mississippi River paddlefish) is the only paddlefish species found on Earth! The Chinese paddlefish, which once inhabited the Yangtze and Yellow River basins in China, was declared extinct in 2022 with the estimated time of extinction in 2005.
Habitat
Rivers along the Mississippi River basin from New York to Montana and south to Galveston Bay in Texas
Diet
Small crustaceans, plankton and mayflies
Predators
No natural predators
Conservation Status
Vulnerable due to overharvesting and habitat degradation
Phylum
Chordate