The Care of African Lungfish in an Aquarium
African lungfish, or Protopterus annectens, are large, eel-like fish that are easy to keep in an aquarium, if you have moderate experience and a tank large enough to hold them. The fish are known for having "lungs," which are actually air bladders that allow it to survive for some time outside of water, which is useful when lakes dry up in its native habitat. They may be found at exotic pet stores, but be warned that they grow very large and are often intolerant of tank mates.
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Things You'll Need
- 75-gallon aquarium
- Fluorescent light strip
- Aquarium hood
- Gravel
- Dechlorinator
- Aquarium heater
- Pots, smooth rocks, wood or other decor
- Aquarium filter
- Meaty foods (live goldfish, nightcrawlers, beef heart)
- Nylon net
Instructions
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Set Up the Tank
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Place the tank in an area where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight. Lungfish prefer darker, murky environments and too much light will simply promote algae growth. A basement is preferred.
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2
Lay about two inches of gravel on the bottom of the aquarium and a variety of smooth decor. Lungfish like caves, which may be emulated by flower pots. Do not use any jagged decor, like sharp slate rock, that could potentially cut your lungfish.
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3
Fill the tank with freshwater and add the proper dose of dechlorinator. The liquid dechlorinator will remove potentially harmful chemicals. The proper dosage will be listed on the manufacturer's packaging.
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4
Install the heater and filter. The heater will most likely attach to the interior glass wall of the tank via suction cups. Most filters hang on the back of the tank, but you will need to consult your particular model's instructions for specifics. Allow the water to filter for two days before you introduce your lungfish.
Feeding
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Feed the lungfish at least once per day, either with feeding tongs or by introducing live goldfish. Make sure the food is small enough for the lungfish to swallow whole (do not use goldfish that are too big). Lungfish are carnivores and will eat a variety of meaty foods. Do not give them any more than they may eat in a few minutes to prevent overfeeding.
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Scoop any uneaten food out of the tank with a nylon net. Uneaten food will rot and introduce harmful ammonia to the tank.
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Remove any goldfish that the lungfish does not eat within a few hours. The goldfish will urinate in the tank and contribute to ammonia spikes.
Maintenance
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Change about one-quarter of your lungfish's water once every two weeks. Lungfish are tolerant of poor water conditions, but changing the water will help keep it clean and clear. Dechlorinate the fresh water you add to the tank with the liquid dechlorinator.
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Replace the filter cartridges once every two weeks. The cartridges collect the organic material from the tank water, but will degrade over time and become less effective, resulting in cloudy water.
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Keep the light on about eight to 10 hours per day. Lungfish are used to murky conditions and do not need as much light as other tropical fish, which often require 12 or 14 hours of light.
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Tips & Warnings
Start out with a smaller tank if you have a younger lungfish. This will make it easier for them to find food and catch goldfish. They will outgrow their small tanks quickly, however, and will eventually need a 75-plus gallon aquarium. African lungfish may reach lengths in excess of three feet if properly cared for.
Consider the lungfish's lifespan before committing to a purchase. African lungfish have been reported to live up to 25 years in captivity, so make sure that you are in it for the long haul.
African lungfish are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, but as a general rule try to keep the pH of the water around 7.0 and the temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not handle your lungfish. This may be very stressful to the animal and may even lead to a bite or a sting from their whiskers/barbs.
Do not put more than one lungfish in the aquarium. They are territorial and aggressive toward other fish. They require solitary, species-only tanks.
