The African lungfish is an ancient fish species that has existed for over 400 million years. It possesses both gills and lungs, allowing it to breathe air directly. During the dry season, it can burrow into mud, form a cocoon, and aestivate for several years, demonstrating extremely strong vitality. With its elongated body and fierce nature, it is a "living fossil" with significant ornamental and scientific value.
- Dual Respiration: Breathes underwater with gills, and directly inhales oxygen from the surface using specialized swim bladders (lungs); it must surface regularly to breathe, as prolonged submersion can lead to drowning.
- Super Aestivation: During the dry season, it burrows 25-50cm into mud, secretes mucus to form a waterproof cocoon, leaving a breathing hole; its metabolism drops to 1/60, and it aestivates without eating or drinking for 3-5 years, reviving with the rainy season.
Adult size: 1-1.5m
Water temperature for rearing: 24-30℃
Diet:
Staple diet (mainly meat): Bloodworms, brine shrimp, earthworms, shelled shrimp, fish chunks, snail meat; 2-3 times per week.
Supplementary diet: Small amounts of algae flakes, blanched spinach (for fiber).
Forbidden: Overfeeding (pollutes water), sharp bones (can injure the digestive tract).