Ichthyologist

Watch Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., ichthyologist and Axelrod Research Curator for the American Museum of Natural History, describe the spectacular beauty and evolutionary significance of the Lower Congo River basin where she discovers and scientifically classifies "new" species of fish. Her colleagues have even named several fish after her. Her favorite fish are from the intelligent and colorful cichlid family which sometimes protect their babies by holding them in their mouths.