Slow Growing S. A. Lungfish

[abarilot]

I bought my S. A lungfish about a year ago at 4" and it is now only about 12" long, should I be concerned? I've read mupliple treads on how quickly others have grown and though I'm not concerned about how big he gets I just want to make sure my little guy is doing alright. It is kept in a community 55g tank and I do a weekly water change.

 

[King-eL]

I bought my S. A lungfish about a year ago at 4" and it is now only about 12" long, should I be concerned? I've read mupliple treads on how quickly others have grown and though I'm not concerned about how big he gets I just want to make sure my little guy is doing alright. It is kept in a community 55g tank and I do a weekly water change.

I got mine at 6" and went to 21" in less than a year. What are you feeding your lungfish? How much and how many times? Are you doing regular water change and what's the temp of the tank?

 

[abarilot]

I feed my sal blood worms, brine shrimp, and occasionally ghost shrimp. I've also noticed that he's eaten a bit of zuccini meant for my pleco. Water temp is at 77 and I do a 30% water change every week. The ph 7.2 and all other parameters are good.

 

[King-eL]

I feed my sal blood worms, brine shrimp, and occasionally ghost shrimp. I've also noticed that he's eaten a bit of zuccini meant for my pleco. Water temp is at 77 and I do a 30% water change every week. The ph 7.2 and all other parameters are good.

Most of the food you feed your lungfish are mostly feed for juvenile fish. Try some massivore pellets, prawn and other meaty foods.

 

[abarilot]

Thanks! I'll try it out.

 

[E_americanus]

Most of the food you feed your lungfish are mostly feed for juvenile fish. Try some massivore pellets, prawn and other meaty foods.

i agree...trying more substantial protein-rich foods will help growth. also keep in mind that there is quite a bit of variation in fish growth, and captivity will also constrain growth to some extent.

just because your lungfish hasn't reached 1.5' in a year doesn't necessarily mean it is unhealthy, just that it is small. i think enhancing its diet with more appropriate food will lead to more growth, but not likely that drastic of growth. good luck!--
--solomon

 

[Arapaimaman]

The quick growth you have heard was probable for African lung fish.They can grow fast if you "power feed" them.I have done it in the past.Right now I have 5 Australian
lungfish and they have gone through that stage.Got them at 5" and now they are over 2 feet long.but there growth has slowed done.The S.A.lungfish was my first fish in 1960 ! when I was ten years old.
Arapaimaman

 

[E_americanus]

The quick growth you have heard was probable for African lung fish.They can grow fast if you "power feed" them.I have done it in the past.Right now I have 5 Australian
lungfish and they have gone through that stage.Got them at 5" and now they are over 2 feet long.but there growth has slowed done.The S.A.lungfish was my first fish in 1960 ! when I was ten years old.
Arapaimaman

the quick growth can actually occur in SAL's as well, and has occurred with several fishkeepers' specimens. definitely can take place in Africans and Australians as well, and I've seen similar trends to what you have mentioned--
--solomon

 

[abarilot]

Thanks for all the input! I'll try the pellets and if its growth rate doesn't increase no worries cuz I enjoy my sal as is! Plus it'll give me more time to buy a bigger tank

 

[abarilot]

My SAL is now 14" so its not the quickest grower but still growing! He is on a steady diet of Massivore and Carnivore Pellets. Thanks again for the feeding suggestions!