What size was his old tank? stunting and poor water quality can often "warp" a fishes growth rate, not just keep them from growing.
30yr old Lungfish ID Please!
- Thread starter Python27
- Start date
I used the fins as a guide too. I'll see if I can't get better pics of him with another cam. I'm gonna try and get a good headshot. Oh, and if it helps he eats Brazil Nuts and most of the plants I have put in with him. I only give him feeder fish every few months because he seems not to care too much for them and it takes forever for him to finish them. Thanks for taking the time to help ID him! I wonder what the record lifespan is for them in captivity?
Python27;4234436; said:
Not sure about P. aethiopicus, but I do recall that the shedd has an AUL that's rumored to be the oldest fish in captivity currently, well over 100 years old.
His old display tank at the petshop was a 125gal tank. But it had lots of rocks and driftwood in it to make it look good. When I got him, I put him in a 75gal tank with a gravity filter and an underground filter. basicly the same filter I used for my reef tank to keep the water clear. I don't have the big rocks or the drift wood because I see no need for it as it takes up space. His eyes were clouded when i got him but now they are pretty clear (they look like those of a muddpuppy). The tank at the petshop seemed pretty clean though? The only problem I have with water quality is red Algae. The snails don't seem to eat it and there is no way he would allow a pleco in his tank! So, it's hand scrubbing for me once a week. Lucky me!
clearer pics will definitely help with the ID of this fish. it is definitely Protopterus aethiopicus or Protopterus annectens, it is neither of the other two African species (P. dolloi or P. amphibius) nor is it South American or Australian.
older age can change the typical ID characters, and the "flat fin" aspect of the fins is not diagnostic between annectens and aethiopicus (both species can have this). the dorsal fin insertion is different between the species, but this too can be skewed by age. impressive fish that it has lived so long!
some clearer shots of the head and the full body extended will help.--
--solomon
older age can change the typical ID characters, and the "flat fin" aspect of the fins is not diagnostic between annectens and aethiopicus (both species can have this). the dorsal fin insertion is different between the species, but this too can be skewed by age. impressive fish that it has lived so long!
some clearer shots of the head and the full body extended will help.--
--solomon
