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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

‘Monster Fish’ lurking at Tennessee Aquarium

A life-size replica of an arapaima is delivered to the Tennessee Aquarium for the National Geographic "Monster Fish" exhibit. World-renowned Staab Studios created the five life-size fish sculptures for the exhibition.
A life-size replica of an arapaima is delivered to the Tennessee Aquarium for the National Geographic "Monster Fish" exhibit. World-renowned Staab Studios created the five life-size fish sculptures for the exhibition.
photo Zeb Hogan hosts Nat Geo Wild’s “Monster Fish,” now in its sixth season. In each episode, Hogan immerses himself in a local culture, where fishing is often more than a sport or even a profession but a way of life. He tastes the regional cuisine, mingles at fish markets, listens to the harrowing stories of native fishermen and sleeps where his local guides do. Nat Geo Wild has scheduled a “Monster Fish” marathon from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, to celebrate the exhibit opening at the Tennessee Aquarium.

If you go

› What: “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants” exhibit.› When: Opens Saturday, Oct. 1.› Where: Riverplace building beside the Tennessee Aquarium’s ticketing center, 1 Broad St.› Admission: Free with aquarium admission of $29.95 adults, $18.95 children 3-12.› Phone: 1-800-262-0695.› Website: www.tnaqua.org.

Also see…

‘Secret Ocean’ explores underwater worlds of wonder

photo “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants,” an interactive exhibit based on the Nat Geo Wild series “Monster Fish,” showcases the results of Dr. Zeb Hogan’s decade-long search for the world’s largest freshwater fish.

Teaching resource

The College of Science at University of Nevada, Reno, where Zeb Hogan is a researcher, is the educational partner for the “Monster Fish” exhibition and provides support for Hogan’s participation in the project. The university has created an Educator’s Guide for children in grades 4-8 to explore the science and geography behind the exhibition and Hogan’s research. The guide provides a number of interactive classroom activities to engage students before and after a visit to the exhibition. This guide is available on the Aquarium’s website: tnaqua.org/animals-exhibits/monster-fish-in-search-of-river-giants.

photo “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants,” an interactive exhibit based on the Nat Geo Wild series “Monster Fish,” showcases the results of Dr. Zeb Hogan’s decade-long search for the world’s largest freshwater fish.

Dr. Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada aquatic ecologist and National Geographic fellow, has made a career out of collecting fish stories. His quest has led him to find, study and protect the remaining freshwater fish that reach epic proportions. Not just big fish but monsters. Despite their size, most of these behemoth species are rapidly declining in the wild. These ancient fish need help since they play critical roles in their freshwater habitats.

Aquarium guests will be able to take a deeper dive into the hidden world of these huge species when “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants,” a National Geographic exhibition, opens Saturday, Oct. 1. This special exhibition, which is free with Aquarium membership or general admission, will be located in the Riverplace building near the aquarium’s ticketing center.