Generally speaking, the exhibits at the Tennessee Aquarium are designed to replicate a single, distinct ecosystem, from the species residing there to the vegetation that helps set the stage.

There are a few exceptions to this, however, and the subject of this episode is one of them. When it opened 14 years ago, the River Giants exhibit offered a single, massive system in which to showcase truly gargantuan fish from all over the world. In one place, guests could see everything from South American Red-tailed Catfish and Arapaima and Southeast Asian Giant Gourami to gigantic whiptail rays from North America.

This episode was recorded more than a year ago, at time of publication, but it’s still a fascinating deep-dive into one of the Aquarium’s most impressive collection of huge, HUGE fish.

Episode Cast

• Casey Phillips, host/senior communications specialist/mostly normal-size human
• Rachel Thayer, assistant curator of fishes
• Stephen Beaman, senior aquarist