Let’s Hear Those Poly Facts!

[PolypterusGuy225]

As an avid Polypterus keeper I love learning about these beautiful fish. Let’s drop some of our favorite tips, tricks, facts, and stories of our lunged friends!!

My personal favorite is that the lobbed fins of the polypterus have actually evolved independently than that of other lobe finned fish putting it in its own phylogenetic group!

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1207609/pdf/ge14431165.pdf

(a great article detailing the genetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of a P. ornatipinnis)

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

Bichirs have an extremely developed swim bladder in which they use as make shift lungs to get oxygen from the air when theres not much in the water

 

[tlindsey]

Nice history on the Ornate and thanks for sharing. I fell for Polypterus when I found out how long they have been around.

 

[PolypterusGuy225]

Bichirs have an extremely developed swim bladder in which they use as make shift lungs to get oxygen from the air when theres not much in the water

I’ve always heard it as Polypterus have a set of true lungs? I was curious and did a moment of searching. The article below states that the lungs of the polypterus are true lungs and have a common ancestor whom they evolved from who had the primitive swim bladder lung as you described. On page 8 of the 11 page report they have a figure depicting this branch of evolution with Bichirs having distinct lungs! How cool!

(PDF) Molecular developmental mechanism in polypterid fish provides insight into the origin of vertebrate lungs

PDF | The lung is an important organ for air breathing in tetrapods and originated well before the terrestrialization of vertebrates. Therefore, to... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

www.researchgate.net

 

[tlindsey]

Evolution at it's best I believe amphibians evolved from fish like the Polypterus and the Lungfish.

 

[PolypterusGuy225]

Evolution at it's best I believe amphibians evolved from fish like the Polypterus and the Lungfish.

Agreed!! Evolution is wild and it tells the story of why every thing that makes these fish an “oddball” also made them innovators and apex predators throughout history!!!

If only we could keep Tiktaalik in an aquarium.

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

I got confused I guess

 

[PolypterusGuy225]

I got confused I guess

No Worries!! The whole point of this post is to learn! No shame here, just trying to spread knowledge and your input is greatly appreciated!

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

No Worries!! The whole point of this post is to learn! No shame here, just trying to spread knowledge and your input is greatly appreciated!

Oh ok well thx this post is going to be definitely on popular section

 

[Hendre]

Their larval stage looks like tadpoles, they have external gills like young salamanders, have ganoid scales like gars, have dorsal spines but no true dorsal fin, have actual lungs, breathe through a hole in the top of their heads (usually only when comfortable, otherwise a dash and gulp is used), they can live almost indefinitely out of water (with enough humidity) and can actually drown without access to air. What's not to love