The Africans
WAL - West African lungfish (P. annectens)3'
MAL - marbled African lungfish (P. aethiopicus)6'
GAL - gilled African lungfish (P. amphibius)2'
SpAL - spotted African lungfish (P. dolloi)4'
Family Protopteridae
Genus Protopterus
Protopterus aethiopicus - Marbled Lungfish
Protopterus amphibius - East African Lungfish
Protopterus annectens - African Lungfish
Protopterus dolloi - Slender Lungfish
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(P. amphibius)2' gilled African lungfish
freshwater
tropical
Africa: East African coastal regions from Somalia and Kenya, delta of Zambesi River
Found in swamps and flood plains
Uniform blue- or slate grey, with small or inconspicuous black spots, belly pale grey, head dark below with white spots
African Swamp
The waters support a variety of species and vigorous plant growth making it an ideal subject for a biotope aquarium.
Reedy plants line the shores of waterways
WATER:
pH 6.5-7.4
TEMP, 75-85 F
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Dense vegetation and floating plants help recreate the natural setting.
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear.
Species tank
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water Lettuce
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Protopterus aethiopicus-marbeled lungfish 6'
PH: 6.5-9.0
dH ;12-20
Temp;75-82F
spawn Nov-Apr
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)
Nile; Lakes Albert, Edward, Victoria, Nabugabo, Tanganyika, Kyoga and No
It inhabits river and lake fringes, swamps and floodplains In Lake Victoria it is found in open lake and marginal swamps, in basin only near rivers and deltas.
Lake Tanganyika
PH: 7.8-9.0
dH ;12-20
Temp;75-82F
This lake has 2 easily defined regions the first very rocky with only algae growth as plant life.The second sandy bottom with growths of Vallisneria spirella(use coral sand to buffer the ph at an alkaline level.
African Swamps
Reedy plants line the shores of waterways and shallow pools. Floating grasses and lilies are found where there is little current. Banks along moving waterways drop off quickly, creating cliff-like formations with overhanging roots. Many fish seek refuge under these root overhangs and inside caves.
WATER:
pH 7.2-7.8,
2-8 dH,
70-85 F (21-24 C)
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Plant grassy vegetation along with rear and corners of the tank. Use dense leafy vegetation in the center of the aquarium and scattered floating plants (if desired).
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places akin to those created by overhanging roots and clay caves in the natural setting.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear. Current should be still to moderate depending on whether the aquariast is amining to recreate a still pool or flowing channel.
PLANTS:
African Water Fern, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water Lettuce
,Potamogeton
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Protopterus dolloi-slender lungfish 4'
pH 6.0-8.0
Temp 72-84F
Brown colored body, with blackish spots on the dorsal and lateral side of the body for juveniles,
but disappearing in adults.The slenderest of the family the caudal joins with the dorsal fin
Ogowe, Kouilou-Niari, lower and Middle Congo River basins , streams lakes and swamps,
African River
West and Central Africa are full of rivers.
pH 6.9-7.2,
3-8 dH,
75-81 F (24-27 C)
TANK:
The tank should be furnished with wood for hiding places, and fine gravel or sand for a substrate.
The lighting should be muted, and the water should have a slight current.
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii , Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis
spawn june and july
Africn Swamps
Reedy plants line the shores of waterways and shallow pools. Floating grasses and lilies are found where there is little current. Banks along moving waterways drop off quickly, creating cliff-like formations with overhanging roots. Many fish seek refuge under these root overhangs and inside caves.
pH 7.2-7.8,
2-8 dH,
70-85 F (21-24 C)
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Plant grassy vegetation along with rear and corners of the tank. Use dense leafy vegetation in the center of the aquarium and scattered floating plants (if desired).
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places akin to those created by overhanging roots and clay caves in the natural setting.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear. Current should be still to moderate depending on whether the aquariast is amining to recreate a still pool or flowing channel.
PLANTS:
African Water Fern, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water Lettuce
anubias,Lemma.spp,
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Protopterus annectens-west african lungfish 3'
West African River
Temp: 75° to 85°
ph:6.9-7.4
4° to 6° DH
Dorsal side olive or brown colored, ventral side lighter; great blackish or brownish spots on the body and fins except on the belly
Territory:Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Volta and Chad basins, also in temporary tributaries of Chari River in Western Sudan,Bandama and Comoé basins in Côte d'Ivoire and certain basins of Sierra Leone and Guinea
Found in marginal swamps and backwaters of rivers and lakes
PLANTS:Bolbitis heudelotii , Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis.
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Possible subspecies
Protopterus aethiopicus congicus
Protopterus aethiopicus mesmaekersi
Southern Lungfish (Protopterus annectens brieni)
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Notes:Tanks must have secure lids
these are species only fish (or with fish you don't care about being eaten)
caution when handling they have an incredible bite
Anne