[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish – Miscellaneous Fish – African Lungfish (Protopterus annectens)

This tough large fish is, like all other lungfishes, able to tolerate a wide range of conditions. As their native pools dry up in the wild, all the African species bury into the substratum and secrete a mucous cocoon within which they estivate (undergo a period of summer dormancy) until the rains return. The pectoral and pelvic fins of African Lungfish are long and whiplike rather than finlike.

Family

• Protopteridae

Distribution

• Widespread in Africa.

Size

• Up to 28in (70cm) reported.

Behavior

• Intolerant and predatory.

Diet

• Large livefoods, including fish; chunky meat-based or fish-based formulations also accepted.

Aquarium

• Large, well covered, well filtered, with fine-grained substratum and large shelters and pieces of bogwood. Water chemistry not critical. Temperature range: 77-88°F (25-30°C).

Breeding

• No documented reports of aquarium breeding currently available.