Whats the appeal?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
They do not require enormous tanks, since they are snake-like and can fit in tighter spaces, but I wouldn't house one below 180-220g at maturity. Just make sure you pick a wide tank, not a tall one which is useless and more trouble for them when taking air. He would not be happy in less, in my opinion.

Mine will go in my 400g Mbu tank when he's a big boy :)
 
Weylin;1577858; said:
How long would a 12" lung last in a 4x2x2 ?

You would be able to get a few years in a 4x2. They don't require a lot of tank volume...just a good footprint. You're better off with a shallower tank so the lungfish can easily reach the surface for air.

As far as the appeal to me:

1. They have fantastic personalities. Hell, mine now knocks on the top of the tank when he wants to eat. :D

2. It's like owning the missing link in evolutionary progression. I had a technician from Comcast over to fix my cable and my lung was out and the guy looks at him and says "What the **** is that thing?!?!...It looks like it's part fish and part lizard!!".

3. Not a demanding fish. Some of my tanks are so much work that I start to lose my appreciation for what's in them. With a lungfish, you can spend more time enjoying them versus worrying if you're going to come home and find a dead pet.

4. Lungfish sparked interest in fishkeeping with my girlfriend. It's true...lungfish and gars...that's all she wants to buy now. My girlfriend is the classic "diva". We have an ENTIRE bedroom that I converted into a walk-in closet just for her clothes, she always has to look like a million bucks, and she thinks some of my pets are "gross"...until the lungfish and gar.

If they can convert her to fishkeeping, they can convert anyone. :D
 
I think im gonna get one.. But i need to know if..they fall sick.. Cause the one the lfs has..doesnt move much..hides behind a filter.. and they are feeding him mollys...
 
Weylin;1578016; said:
I think im gonna get one.. But i need to know if..they fall sick.. Cause the one the lfs has..doesnt move much..hides behind a filter.. and they are feeding him mollys...

Well, depending on the quality of the feeders, it's not impossible that they can pass on parasites and what not. They are extremely hardy fish to keep...that's for sure.

If you pick him up, just get him on a good diet of shrimp, krill, fish fillets, and high quality pellets. The more he associates you with food the more you'll see him. Mine was shy when he was at the lfs, but now he's out and about as soon as he sees the room light come on.
 
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