South American Lungfish
Lepidosiren paradoxa
Also known as: South American Lugnfish
A living fossil that breathes air, crawls on fins, and outlives most pets.
About
The South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) is one of those species that makes you question what a fish actually is. Found across the Amazon, Paraguay, and lower Paraná river basins, it inhabits slow-moving, oxygen-poor backwaters where most fish would suffocate. It gets around that problem by breathing atmospheric air through a pair of primitive lungs. And will actually drown if kept from the surface. The four fleshy, limb-like fins are more reminiscent of a salamander than a typical fish, and the animal can use them to drag itself across land if needed. When the dry season shrinks its habitat, this species digs deep into the mud, seals itself in a mucous cocoon, and essentially shuts down until the rains return. Juveniles are blackish with bright gold spots and breathe through external gills for the first couple of months before transitioning to air-breathing. In the aquarium, individuals tend to be peaceful enough with tankmates too large to swallow, though some specimens grow grumpy toward other bottom-dwellers. The real issue is scale: this fish gets very large, very fast, and routinely lives several decades. Anyone considering one needs a genuinely massive, purpose-built setup already in place before buying. Not as a future plan. Those who can meet that commitment will find it surprisingly hardy and, in many cases, remarkably personable.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with South American Lungfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the South American Lungfish get?
- The South American Lungfish reaches about 29.5–49" as an adult.
- What size tank does the South American Lungfish need?
- A minimum of 856 gallons is recommended for the South American Lungfish.
- What water parameters does the South American Lungfish need?
- The South American Lungfish does best with a temperature of 75–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 2–20 dGH.
- Is the South American Lungfish aggressive?
- The South American Lungfish is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the South American Lungfish eat?
- The South American Lungfish is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the South American Lungfish live?
- With good care, the South American Lungfish typically lives 25-50 years.