Diamondback Terrapin

Malaclemys terrapin

Species type: Turtle
Fun fact: They are the only freshwater turtles known to survive in brackish (part salty and part fresh) water.
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Range: United States (primarily east coast)
Threats: Habitat loss, pollution, climate change
Diet: Carnivores (fish, snails, clams, mussels, and mollusks)
Where they are in the lab: there are some studies done with them when they are babies (will link to published ones) before they are released in a ceremony in Delaware

Mud Turtle

Kinosternon subrubrum

Fun fact: Mud turtles remain small their entire lives and rarely grow larger than 5 inches.
IUCN status: Least Concern
Range: East Coast US
Threats: Habitat loss
Diet: Omnivorous (algae, small bugs, mollusks)
Where they are in the lab: Mostly just housed, two of them are parents of all the others in the lab

Bearded Dragon

Pogona vitticeps

Fun fact: They have a third eye on the top of their head that allows them to sense changes in light and temperature.
IUCN status: Least Concern
Range: Mostly Australia; deserts
Threats: Habitat Loss, issues in human care
Diet: Omnivores (crickets, lettuce, fruit)
Where they are in the lab: Just Helena, taken care of and she is a spotlight species and helps to educate visitors in the lab.

False Map Turtle

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Fun fact: Fairly extroverted species and get along well with other turtles
IUCN status: Least Concern
Range: Typically the Midwest/upper midwest United States, but can be found in a few southwest states as well
Threats: Destruction of eggs, pet trade, and being trapped in fishnets (bycatch)
Diet: Omnivores
>Where they are in the lab:Just housed

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Fun fact: Goldfish actually used to be silver! Then a natural genetic mutation occurred and they were selectively bred for their gold/orangish coloration.
IUCN status: Least concern
Range : Native to most of Asia, but have been introduced to other countries worldwide
Threats: Disease, habitat loss
Diet: Omnivores
Where they are in the lab: Housed, sometimes used in shoaling studies

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Fun fact:This species is able to change their coloration as a form of territorial behavior.
IUCN status:Least Concern
Range:South America, but have been introduced to China, Florida, and Australia
Threats: Pet trade, habitat loss, parasites and disease, pollution, overfishing
Diet:Omnivores, but they are predator species and enjoy eating meat
Where they are in the lab:Just the one who is housed

Personality the Yellow Margined Box Turtle

Yellow margined box turtle/chinese box turtle

Cuora flavomarginata

Fun FactThe simplified version of its Chinese name is the “snake eating turtle”.
IUCN status:Endangered
Range:Primarily Asia; specifically Japan, China, and Taiwan
Threats:Habitat loss
Diet:Omnivorous (slugs, fruit)
Where they are in the lab:Just Personality (pictured above)

Reeves Turtle

Mauremys reevesii

Fun Fact:They were often farmed in China due to the high demand for their shells for divination rights.
IUCN status:Endangered
Range:Primarily Southeast/East Asia
Threats:Pet trade, habitat loss, overhunting
Diet:Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:We are technically an assurance colony for them, since they are endangered. What this means is that we have sanction from a environmental agency to care for them.

Black Moor Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Fun Fact:Due to their peaceful nature, they are often found in tanks with many different kinds of fish.
IUCN status:Least Concern
Range:Primarily China
Threats:Disease, habitat loss, pet trade
Diet:Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:Housed with other fish

Razorback Musk Turtle

Sternotherus carinatus

Fun Fact:When frightened, these turtles will release a bad sent to drive the predator away- this is how they got their name!
IUCN status:Least Concern
Range:Southeast United States
Threats:Primarily habitat loss
Diet:Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:Just two that are cared for by the students.

Blind cave fish/Mexican tetra

Astyanax mexicanus

Fun Fact:Since these fish can’t see, they rely on other senses to get around and find food.
IUCN Status:Least Concern but was listed as vunerable until 2011.
Range:Mexico and the United States
Threats:Habitat loss and overfishing
Diet:Omnivores but perfer bugs
Where they are in the lab:Taken care of by the students

Electric Yellow African Cichlids

Labidochromis caeruleus

Fun Fact:This species exhibits sexual dimorphism! That’s when the males and females can be distinguished from one another based on traits they exhibit. In this case, males have subtle gray markings, while females don’t.
IUCN status:Least Concern
Range:East Africa (Lake Malawi) and other parts of Burundi
Threats:Habitat loss, pet trade, and pollution
Diet:Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:Taken care of by students

Vietnamese Pond Turtle/Annam Leaf Turtle

Mauremys annamensis

Fun Fact: These turtles are sometimes called “living fossils” because they have been along for so long.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Range: Asia, mostly Vietnam
Threats: Illegal poaching for pet trade, habitat destruction, and pollution
Diet: Omnivorous
Where they are in the lab: We are an assurance colony for this species since they are critically endangered. Often the Turtle Survival Alliance gives us any injured or non injured turtles of this species for us to take care of.

Silver Angelfish

Pterophyllum Scalare

Fun Fact: These fish tend to have a social hierarchy that they follow.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Across the Amazon Basin in South America
Threats: Habitat loss, climate change, pet trade
Diet: Omnivorous
Where they are in the lab: In a few tanks with several other species that are taken care of by students.

Chinese Golden Thread Turtle

Mauremys sinensis

Fun Fact: Was commonly used for divination during the Shang Dynasty.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Range: China, Northern/Central Vietnam
Threats: Urbanization, habitat loss, pollution, pet trade, and invasive species
Diet: Omnivorous, prefer insects or meat
Where they are in the lab: Just one who is taken care of by a student and constantly monitored as a critically endangered species.

Yellow Pond Turtle

Mauremys mutica

Fun Fact: They’re actually related to the Reeves turtles!
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Range: East Asia, native to southern Ryukyus
Threats: Human consumption, water pollution, pet trade, and habitat loss
Diet: Omnivorous
Where they are in the lab: Just one who is taken care of by students

Platy fish (southern platies and variable platies)

Xiphophorus maculatus/Xiphophorus variatus

Fun Fact: There are many different kinds of platies, which is why they are used in a lot of research.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Native to Mexico but have been introduced to parts of South America and the US
Threats: Pet trade, habitat degradation
Diet: Omnivores
Where they are in the lab: Housed and used in shoaling studies

Yellow Spotted Amazon River Turtle

Podocnemis unifilis

Fun Fact: This species is one of the largest South American river turtles.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Range: South America’s Amazon and Orinoco river basins
Threats: Pet trade, habitat loss, and pollution
Diet: Omnivores- Manny really enjoys lettuce!
Where they are in the lab: Just Manny, who is taken care of by a lab coordinator.

Bronze Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras aeneus

Fun Fact: They have a small barb on their fins that can poison other fish that attack them.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Typically South America, but has ventured to other areas due to the pet trade
Threats: Pet trade, habitat loss, water pollution
Diet: Omnivorous and tend to be bottom feeders when kept in tanks
Where they are in the lab: Just a few that are in the tank with the Platys.

Florida Cooters

Pseudemys floridana floridana or Pseudemys floridana peninsularis

Fun Fact: They're a good indicator species to see if a pond/ecosystem is healthy.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Florida
Threats: Habitat loss, vehicle accidents, predation from racoons/foxes/otters
Diet: Primarily herbivores
Where they are in the lab: Mostly just taken care of by students, primarily found in 215 but also housed in the Barnes greenhouse.

Pearl Danios

Danio albolineatus

Fun Fact: These fish practice schooling instead of shoaling- this means they will all move in the same direction in a coordinated manner. Shoaling fish tend to move together, but are more independent in their movement. Think of them like the fish that talk to Nemo’s dad!
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Southeast Asia
Threats: Diseases, pet trade, and habitat loss
Diet: Omnivorous
Where they are in the lab:In a tank that is taken care of by students.

Eastern Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta picta

Fun Fact:These turtles have a unique coloration and “painted appearance,” which gives them their name!
IUCN Status: Least concern
Range: Eastern United States, primarily
Threats: Pet trade, habitat loss, and water pollution
Diet: Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:Just a few, but the most popular one is Hank, who is taken care of by students.

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Fun Fact: Even though they are related to piranhas, they are quite a docile species.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Typically found in South America, specifically Brazil
Threats: Habitat Loss, pollution, and pet trade
Diet: Primarily herbivorous, but will eat meat
Where they are in the lab:In a few tanks with other fish species being taken care of by students.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Apalone spinifera

Fun Fact: They are found in a wide variety of environments, being able to survive in 3 feet of water and also up to 33 feet of water.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Typically North and South America
Threats: Habitat loss/fragmentation, pet trade, and pollution
Diet: Omnivores
Where they are in the lab:Just Moe, who is taken care of by a student.

Three Striped Mud Turtle

Kinosternon baurii

Fun Fact: They like to wander around on land more than other mud turtle species.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Eastern United States
Threats: Habitat loss, pet trade, and pollution
Diet: Omnivores
Where they are in the lab: Just Sebastion!

X-Ray Pristella Fish

Pristella maxillaris

Fun Fact: The see-through nature of these fish is what gives them their name!
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Coastal rivers of South America, more specifically the Caño Laguna Rafael near the Caicara del Orinoco basin in Venezuela
Threats: Pollution, habitat loss due to urban development, and pet trade
Diet: Omnivorous
Where they are in the lab: They are in the front wall tank, which is taken care of by students.

Southern Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta dorsalis

Fun Fact: This species is technically a subspecies of painted turtle, one that’s exact classification is still debated upon.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Range: Primarily South-Central United States
Threats: Habitat loss, pet trade, and water pollution
Diet: Primarily omnivorous, but tend to prefer greens as they age
Where they are in the lab: Just a few that are taken care of by students.