Lungfishes are very interesting specimens. They can live through the dry season through what is called aestivation. They bury themselves into the mud, curl up into a ball, and secrete a mucus which hardens to form a cocoon.
Leopard LungfishAfrican Lungfish ~ Marbled Lungfish
Family: Protopteridae
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West African Lungfish - Protopterus annectens annectens
Species name: Protopterus annectens annectens
Synonym: Lepidosiren annectens, Lepidosiren tobal, Protopterus annectans, Protopterus anguilliformis, Rhinocryptis annectens ...
The South American lungfish, Lepidosiren paradoxa, is a primitive air breathing fish that must rise to the surface to fill its lungs.
I keep mine with an African lungfish and it is the only species of fish I have found that the lungfish doesn't eat. They can be trained to accept food directly from me Via Chopsticks.
From: Matt
Date:06/12/2002
This fish is very hardy.
Lungfish have paired lungs similar to those of tetrapods, gouramis have a structure called the labyrinth organ that performs a similar function, while many catfish, such as Corydoras extract oxygen via the intestine or stomach.
Modern day lungfish have scales that have evolved from these scales.
Ganoid scales are found mainly on 'primitive' fishes. They are modified cosmoid scales, generally rhomboid in shape and connected by an articulated joint.
Like some killifish and lungfish, it relies on 'diapause' for reproduction, making it very easy to hatch out from dry eggs.
Also, there was a comment above that the arowana is the most primitive aquarium pet, which is very untrue...there are many more primitive fish than arowanas, including lungfish, bichirs, gars, sharks, and rays.
 See also: Water, Fish, Aquarium, Freshwater, Species
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