Above: In the picture, is a nice premium African Lungfish staring out from one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are fabulous eel-like fish, with unique characteristics.

Origin: Lungfish are found in South Africa and are wild fish. But now you can find them living in aquariums all over the world.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, Lungfish can grow to be about 36" long, which is an extreme size, so these fish are best for very experienced aquarists.

Behaviors: Lungfish are usually semi-aggressive fish, which is why they should be kept alone.

Compatibility: These fish should be kept in a species only tank, because these fish are carnivorous and will eat crustaceans.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Lungfish live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Lungfish.

Smaller sized pellets when young, and larger sized pellets when bigger, is the ideal food for these fish.

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Water Conditions: They are used to hard alkaline water and that is best for all the fish, who's ancestors lived there.

But these fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: Lungfish will do fine in an aquarium with at least 30-gallons of water when small, but will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 110-gallons of water.

Decor: Lungfish do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

They do however enjoy a thick mud-bed, these fish like to burrow and hide their eggs when breeding in mud.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

These fish are actually air-breathers, and would appreciate some shallow areas in the tank to mimic their wild surroundings.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

Most 80-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 350B Filters, and this is sort of a minimal wild fish set up.

Better is a 120, 150, or 200-gallon aquarium with as many Penguin 350B Filters as will fit across the back.

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The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Lungfish can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they may live even longer lives.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females.

When breeding occurs, it may be easier to tell, because the female may become plumper, as she fills with eggs.

Breeding: There are no known reports of this wild fish breeding in captivity.

But in the wild, these fish burrow into the mud and place their eggs into a muddy nest.

They wait for the eggs to hatch and lead them back to the water.

Click here for a lot more about breeding various tropical fish in aquariums.

Popularity: These fish are not too popular due to their size and special needs.

Names: The scientific name for African Lungfish is Protopterus annectens.

Variations: There are now four species in the genus Protopterus, and each species has variations in their patterns and coloration.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Wild Fish, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.