Get to know some of the more than 1,000 species on exhibit—or behind the scenes—at the California Academy of Sciences' Steinhart Aquarium.

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Closeup of alligator gar head with characteristic long snout and thick scales on exhibit at Cal Academy
Creature Closeup: Alligator Gar
Don’t tell Claude, but he’s not the only long-bodied, sharp-toothed, extremely chill species in the aquarium.
Red-headed and green-bodied northern caiman lizard with its tongue out. On exhibit in Steinhart Aquarium. Photo by Gayle Laird
Creature Closeup: Caiman Lizard
Your summer crush is multicolored, multi-talented, and can swim, climb, and steal your heart (and your snails).
Silver arowana on view in Steinhart Aquarium at California Academy of Sciences
Creature Closeup: Silver Arowana
That splash in Osher Rainforest could be an arowana. Meet our elegant, occasionally acrobatic Amazonian fish.
Aquatic caecilian at the Academy
Creature Closeup: Aquatic Caecilian
Love is blind, just like caecilians. See why we're swooning for this odd amphibian with a serious underbite.
Orange and gray Pacific spiny lumpsuckers rest on rock on exhibit at California Academy of Sciences
Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers have tiny fins and no swim bladder, yet are able to travel as deep as 480 feet.

Methuselah the Australian lungfish in her habitat at the California Academy of Sciences
Methuselah (Our Australian Lungfish)

Methuselah is the Academy's beloved Australian lungfish—and the oldest living fish in human care on Earth.

Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) against a white background
Spiny Turtle

Despite their spiky protective shells, this tropical Southeast Asian species is still classified as endangered.

Portrait of four-eyed fish, or Anableps anableps
Four-Eyed Fish

This fish doesn't wear glasses, but does have the ability to see above and below water. Say hello to Anableps!

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© Pelican
Spotted Garden Eel

Spotted garden eels spend the majority of their lives partially embedded in the sea floor.

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Pseudanthias fasciatus

Photo by Tim Wong

One-Striped Anthias
Living deep in the "twilight zone," this fish is often found swimming upside-down near cave roofs and overhangs.
Gouldian finch; Photo © California Academy of Sciences
Gouldian Finch

Gouldian finches are polymorphic, with three possible head color variations—black, yellow, or red.

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African penguin, Spheniscus demersus
African Penguin

African penguins establish strong pair bonds and use complex forms of communication in their social groups.

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Blue-necked tanager, Tangara cyanicollis
Blue-Necked Tanager

Beautiful and social, these birds are even known to feed chicks belonging to other members of their flock.

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Leafy Seadragon
Leafy Seadragon

You’ll need sharp eyes to spot the leafy seadragon in the wild—it's virtually indistinguishable from kelp.

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Golden Mantella
Golden Mantella

These tiny orange frogs secrete highly toxic chemicals for defense—toxins they amass by eating poisonous ants.

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Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Peacock Mantis Shrimp

This impressive shrimp packs a 50-mph punch that can inflict up to 160 pounds of instantaneous force.

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Grainy Cochran Frog
Grainy Cochran Frog

Grainy cochran frogs, known as "glass frogs," have translucent bellies that reveal bones and organs.

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Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Taeniura lymma
Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray

Bluespotted ribbontail rays boast beautiful, iridescent spots and a long tail armed with venomous spines.