The Division of Fishes
- Ecsenius tricolor
Jeff Williams © Smithsonian Institution
Ichthyology is the study of fishes. Research by staff and associates in the Division covers a broad spectrum of the great diversity of fishes, generally relying on the vast resources of the national fish collection. The fish collection, at the National Museum of Natural History, is the largest in the world, with approximately 540,000 lots (a lot consists of all specimens of a species collected at the same time and place) and about 4 million specimens.
- Eusphyra blochii (Winghead shark)
Sandra Raredon © Smithsonian Institution
Zoologists from the Systematics Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, are permanently stationed in the building and work closely with colleagues and specimens at the Museum. These specialists focus primarily on commercially important fishes.
News and Featured Highlights
Sustainable Seafood website
The Smithsonian Institution's Sustainable Seafood website complements One Fish, Two Fish, Crawfish, Bluefish - The Smithsonian Sustainable Seafood Cookbook by Carole C. Baldwin and Julie H. Mounts (Smithsonian Books, 2003). Here you will find fascinating information about the seafood you enjoy at your dinner table.
Coelacanths on Exhibit in Sant Ocean Hall
Two coelacanths, an adult and pup, are on long term loan from the South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity. These specimens are now on exhibit in the National Museum of Natural History's new Sant Ocean Hall.
Spencer Baird and Ichthyology at the Smithsonian
Learn about the history of ichthyology at the Smithsonian Institution, beginning with a young naturalist named Spencer F. Baird. In this presentation, we describe the people and events that drove the development of ichthyology at the Smithsonian from 1850 to 1900.
Fish Collection has Moved!
The National Fish Collection has moved from the Natural History Building in downtown Washington, DC, to the Smithsonian Institution's Museum Support Center in Suitland, Maryland. Please review our visitor information page for further details regarding access to our new facility and our staff pages for updated staff contact information.
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