Lungfish
ExploreFish
Lungfish
Lepidosiren paradoxa
Lungfish are ancient fish that can breathe air! They have long bodies and fins like wings. Lungfish can survive in water with very little oxygen.
Habitat: Freshwater
Appearance
The Lungfish has a long, slender, eel-like body with tiny, thread-like fins, and small scales. Its skin is usually dark grey or brownish, helping it blend into muddy river bottoms and making it visually distinct from other fish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassDipneustiOrderCeratodontiformesFamilyLepidosirenidaeGenusLepidosiren
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby lungfish have feathery external gills, like tiny salamanders!
Lungfish are sometimes called "living fossils" for their ancient lineage!
Some lungfish have lived for over 100 years in zoos and aquariums!
They are more closely related to amphibians than to most other fish!
Special abilities
Ability
Air-Breather Advantage
Lungfish can breathe air using a primitive lung, allowing them to survive in oxygen-poor water or when their habitat dries up.
Ability
Mud Cocoon Builder
Lungfish can burrow into the mud and create a protective cocoon, allowing them to "sleep" through droughts for long periods.
Ability
Walk-Like Fins
Lungfish has fleshy, limb-like fins that help it move along the bottom of its habitat, resembling early land vertebrate locomotion.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 25-125 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-22 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-80 years
- Swim Speed
- 1 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 5 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Lungfish are omnivores, munching on small fish, insects, snails, and even plants they find.
Primary Foods
- small fish
- insects
- snails
- worms
- crustaceans
- plant matter
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Spectacled Caiman
Caiman crocodilus
Hunted by caimans as they move through water.
eaten by
Wolffish
Hoplias malabaricus
Larger fish may prey on juvenile lungfish.
eats
Mystery Snail
Pomacea bridgesii
Consumes these slow-moving snails from the riverbed.
Traits
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
African Lungfish
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Observe lungfish from a safe distance and never disturb their habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Lungfish?
25-125 cm
How much does Lungfish weigh?
0.5-22 kg
How long does Lungfish live?
15-80 years
What does Lungfish eat?
Lungfish are omnivores, munching on small fish, insects, snails, and even plants they find.
How fast can Lungfish swim?
1 km/h
Where is Lungfish usually found?
Freshwater
How does Lungfish hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Lungfish go?
5 m
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