View Full Version : info on african lungfishes
hi guys, i'll be getting an african lungfish next week and i need some info on them.. first of all i'm not really sure what species it is, from the pics that i've seen here i've narrowed it down to either the Protoperus annectens or Protopterus aethiopicus.. could you give me some tips on how to easily differentiate the two so i can figure out exactly what species i got ? the one's i've seen are about 8" tip to tip so if anybody can provide some pics of the 2 species at that size i might be able to compare them with mine..
also, what are the max sizes of either? aggressiveness? can either of them have any tankmates? if so what can i put with them? which one is better in terms of coloration and personality? and what do you feed your lungfishes? would it be possible to convert it to frozen foods?
please add any info that i missed.. any inputs would be greatly appreciated :)
beblondie
06-25-2005, 4:05 AM
West African lungfish (P. annectens)3'
Dorsal side olive or brown colored, ventral side lighter; great blackish or brownish spots on the body and fins except on the belly
Marbled African lungfish (P. aethiopicus)6'
Dark slate-grey above, yellowish-grey or pinkish below; often with numerous dark spots or flecks on the fins and body (some specimens bright yellow ventrally)
Species only tank or wil fish you want eaten African lungs are known to terminate tankmates pretty much on a whim on day alls fine the next they become lunch
Feeding: any lean meaty food will work.Yes they will take frozen food thawed of course
A cpl of warnings1) these fish both have a fierce bite and adults can take fingers off easily
2) Make sure the lid of the aquarium is secure
Hope this helps -Anne
I forgot to mention
Possible subspecies
Protopterus aethiopicus congicus
Protopterus aethiopicus mesmaekersi
Southern Lungfish (Protopterus annectens brieni)
buddah101
06-25-2005, 7:16 AM
Holy cow! They can take fingers off? I did not know this....hmmm. :P
beblondie
06-25-2005, 9:04 AM
Yup a big part of their diet in the wild are various shellfish including clams which they crush the shells to eat so a finger is nothing -Anne
piranha45
06-25-2005, 10:22 AM
I pried open the mouth of a dead 1' specimen; they have enormous square-shaped teeth
guppy
06-25-2005, 12:16 PM
Yup a big part of their diet in the wild are various shellfish including clams which they crush the shells to eat so a finger is nothing -Anne
Very cool, I bet they would love crayfish.
redtailfool
06-25-2005, 12:45 PM
They are pretty laid back. Dont move much at all. Maybe theyre nocturnal or diurnal??
no idea...
iheartfishies
06-25-2005, 7:03 PM
My SA lungfish lived for 2 days, then crapped out on me.:(
E_americanus
06-25-2005, 7:29 PM
several individuals seem to start out as nocturnal feeders, although this can be changed in captivity with when you happen to feed them. the slender or spotted African lungfish, Protopterus dolloi seems to be one of the most shy, and mine will not eat during the day at all. many SAL's will start off as nocturnal feeders as well.
in terms of being laid back, they usually are, but this depends on the individual and what you consider laid back. my P. annectens will go crazy if its startled, but other than that it will come and great people as they approach the tank by standing up on its pelvic fins (or 'hind legs' :)). my P. aethiopicus will dance around when someone gives it the slightest glance or inclination of attention. although the Africans are similar in appearance, their personalities definitely seem to vary with the species and further with individuals.
great fishes overall :)
ps - kido, if you get an image of the lungfish i can ID it for you; the text descriptions you can find online are usually not terribly helpful, especially with relatively similar species such as the annectens and aethiopicus.
ps - kido, if you get an image of the lungfish i can ID it for you; the text descriptions you can find online are usually not terribly helpful, especially with relatively similar species such as the annectens and aethiopicus.
thanks for the reply guys :) ..
sol, i'll post some pics as soon as i can for easier identification. thanks :)
crazystereo
06-26-2005, 4:31 AM
I have a lungfish as well, though I don't know specifically which kind. He is about the most inactive fish I have seen. He moves to get air, and occasionally I see him digging. I have seen my knife and my shovelnose literally sitting on top of him, and he does not move. I feel sorry for the poor little bastard, tho. Somebody shortenend up his 'legs' for him. Poor S.O.B. He is not very stable now, and he looks pathetic. I think I will call him 'stumpy'. Wonder if they will grow back?
well, just got my lungfish.. check out the pics below..
i think he's an annectens.. notice that both his hind "tentacles" have been cut off, probably from a squabble with tankmates.. are they gonna grow back? anything i can do to get it growing faster?
freshwatermorayeel
06-30-2005, 2:15 PM
clean looking i had ine my wife was drunk and poured a 2 beers in the tank and killed him :swear:
crazystereo
06-30-2005, 8:57 PM
clean looking i had ine my wife was drunk and poured a 2 beers in the tank and killed him :swear:
lmao! Was he staggering around a bit first?
I know, I laugh, But I would be madder than hell! I'd pour two beers on her, then throw her drunk ass in the tank.
aztecfred
07-02-2005, 5:13 AM
Had one before YEARS ago.
FEEDING MACHINE!!
And grew [retty darn fast!
One thing that I noticed to that at the higher end of the temp chart the thing got mean as a nest full of hornets thats been kicked over. Aggresivley attacking tankmates and trying to eat them. Tough customer. Species only tank In my opinion.
Aztec Fred