Congo River

This exhibit features the world’s longest and second deepest freshwater lake: Lake Tanganyika. Africa’s oldest lake, it was formed millions of years ago by the same tectonic plate movements that created the Great Rift Valley. Home to hundreds of species found nowhere else, it is also one of the most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems.

This largest of Africa’s freshwater reservoirs feeds into the Congo Basin, providing food, water and income for the people living nearby. However, climate warming has reduced fish production, a phenomenon that is being seen in other tropical lakes too.

As you marvel over the submerged ruins, you’ll almost certainly glimpse the tell-tale shimmery silver of the tigerfish. This fish is closely related to the South American piranhas and like its namesake, the tiger, it is a powerful predator. Due to its streamlined torpedo-shaped body, the tigerfish is able to move in on its prey swiftly. It grows to be a metre long and with its fang-like teeth, it’s able to eat fish half as long as itself!