West African lungfish - (Protopterus annectens)

Fish Details, Description and Information Below:

🐟 West African Lungfish – (Protopterus annectens) – Primitive Air-Breathing African Lungfish

The West African Lungfish (Protopterus annectens) is one of the most unusual and prehistoric freshwater fish available in the aquarium hobby. Native to seasonal rivers, floodplains, swamps, and backwaters of Africa, this ancient species is famous for its ability to breathe atmospheric air and survive harsh seasonal conditions that many other fish could not tolerate.

With its long eel-like body, filament-like paired fins, mottled coloration, and unmistakably primitive appearance, the West African Lungfish is an impressive centerpiece species for experienced aquarists who have the space and equipment to properly house a very large fish.

One of its most remarkable natural adaptations is aestivation. When seasonal waters dry, lungfish can burrow into the substrate, surround themselves with a protective mucus cocoon, dramatically reduce their activity, and survive until wet conditions return.

This listing is for:

WEST AFRICAN LUNGFISH – Protopterus annectens

🔎 Quick Facts – West African Lungfish

📛 Common Name: West African Lungfish
🔬 Scientific Name: Protopterus annectens
🐟 Family: Protopteridae
🌍 Origin: Africa
🌊 Natural Habitat: Seasonal floodplains, swamps, backwaters, rivers, and wetlands
💧 Water Type: Freshwater
📏 Maximum Documented Size: Approximately 39 inches / 100 cm total length
🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 200+ gallons for a mature specimen, with larger accommodations preferred
🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 77–86°F
💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
💨 Air Breathing: Obligatory – must always have access to the water surface
🍽️ Diet: Omnivorous with a strong preference for meaty foods
😈 Temperament: Predatory and potentially aggressive
👤 Social Behavior: Best maintained individually
⭐ Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
🦖 Special Feature: Primitive lungfish capable of breathing atmospheric air

🦖 A Living Fossil

Lungfish represent one of the most ancient surviving groups of freshwater fishes.

Unlike most aquarium fish, the West African Lungfish possesses functional lungs and regularly travels to the surface to breathe atmospheric air.

This adaptation allows it to survive environments where dissolved oxygen may become extremely low.

Because it must breathe air, the aquarium should always provide completely unobstructed access to the surface.

💨 An Air-Breathing Fish

The West African Lungfish should never be maintained in an aquarium where it cannot easily reach the surface.

It regularly rises to take a breath and then returns to the bottom.

Provide:

Open access to the surface
Adequate space above decorations
Good water quality
A secure aquarium cover
No barriers that could trap the fish below the surface

Even though this species breathes atmospheric air, good aquarium maintenance and filtration are still extremely important.

💤 Aestivation – Surviving the Dry Season

One of the most fascinating adaptations of African lungfish is their ability to survive seasonal drought.

In nature, when floodplains and wetlands begin drying, the lungfish can:

Burrow into soft substrate
Create a chamber
Produce a protective mucus cocoon
Greatly reduce its metabolism
Remain inactive until favorable conditions return

This process is known as:

AESTIVATION

This extraordinary adaptation is one reason lungfish are often described as some of the most resilient freshwater fishes on Earth.

Aquarium owners should not intentionally attempt to induce aestivation. Maintain the fish under stable aquatic conditions.

🎨 Appearance

The West African Lungfish has a very distinctive primitive appearance.

Typical characteristics include:

Long, cylindrical or eel-like body
Mottled brown, gray, olive, or tan coloration
Irregular darker markings
Small eyes
Long filament-like paired fins
Powerful mouth and jaws
Continuous-looking rear fin structure

The mottled coloration provides excellent camouflage in muddy, vegetated, and seasonally flooded habitats.

📏 Adult Size

West African Lungfish are very large aquarium fish.

A maximum length of approximately:

39 INCHES / 100 CM

has been scientifically documented.

Because of their potential adult size, they should only be purchased by aquarists prepared to provide a very large aquarium for the life of the fish.

Do not purchase a juvenile assuming that it will remain small.

🏠 Aquarium Size

For a mature West African Lungfish, we recommend planning for:

200+ GALLONS

with larger accommodations preferred whenever possible.

Floor space is particularly important because adults become long, thick-bodied fish.

The aquarium should provide enough room for the lungfish to:

Turn comfortably
Rest along the bottom
Reach the surface easily
Move without constantly contacting decorations
Grow to its adult size

A custom large aquarium may eventually be appropriate for exceptionally large individuals.

🔒 A Secure Lid Is Extremely Important

African Lungfish are powerful fish and should be kept in a securely covered aquarium.

Use:

A STRONG, SECURE LID

Make sure openings around:

Filters
Plumbing
Heaters
Airline tubing
Electrical cords

are properly secured.

At the same time, the fish must still have access to atmospheric air at the water surface.

🪵 Aquarium Setup

A West African Lungfish aquarium can be relatively simple.

Suitable furnishings include:

Sand or another smooth substrate
Large smooth pieces of driftwood
Large secure shelters
Rounded rocks
Open bottom space
Dim to moderate lighting

Avoid sharp decorations that could injure the fish.

All large decorations should be very stable because a powerful adult lungfish can move lightweight objects.

💧 Water Parameters

A practical aquarium range is:

🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 77–86°F
💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
🔄 Nitrate: Keep controlled through routine maintenance

Stable water conditions are more important than constantly trying to achieve one exact pH value.

💩 Filtration & Water Quality

Large lungfish can produce substantial waste.

Use strong biological and mechanical filtration appropriate for a very large predatory fish.

Regular:

Water changes
Substrate cleaning
Filter maintenance
Waste removal

are important for maintaining good long-term water quality.

Do not assume that the lungfish's ability to breathe air means that poor water quality is acceptable.

🍽️ Diet

West African Lungfish are opportunistic feeders and consume a variety of foods in nature.

In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate for a large fish, such as:

Quality sinking carnivore pellets
Fish fillets
Mollusks
Worms
Crustaceans from safe sources
Other appropriate meaty foods

A varied diet is preferable to relying on a single food item.

Avoid feeder fish as a routine food source because they can introduce parasites, disease, and nutritional problems.

😈 Behavior & Temperament

The West African Lungfish is best considered a:

LARGE PREDATORY SPECIES

It may eat fish small enough to fit into its mouth and can injure larger tankmates.

Individuals can also become territorial or unpredictable.

Because of this, the safest recommendation is:

KEEP INDIVIDUALLY

Even tankmates that appear compatible initially may not remain safe as the lungfish grows.

⚠️ Powerful Bite

West African Lungfish possess powerful jaws.

Do not:

Hand-feed the fish
Place fingers near the mouth
Attempt unnecessary handling
Assume a calm fish cannot bite

Use appropriate aquarium tools when performing maintenance around a large specimen.

🐟 Tankmates

This species is best kept alone.

Keeping one with other large fish always involves risk because the lungfish may:

Bite tankmates
Consume smaller fish
Damage fins
Become territorial
Be injured by aggressive tankmates

A dedicated species aquarium is generally the safest long-term setup.

🥚 Breeding

Breeding West African Lungfish in home aquariums is extremely uncommon.

In nature, breeding is associated with seasonal wetlands and nesting behavior.

Males guard the nesting area and provide parental protection to developing young.

Because of their adult size, specialized reproductive behavior, and environmental requirements, breeding should be considered an advanced undertaking.

⭐ Who Should Keep a West African Lungfish?

This species is best suited for experienced aquarists who:

Enjoy primitive and unusual freshwater fish
Have experience with large predatory species
Can provide a 200+ gallon aquarium
Understand long-term aquarium commitments
Can provide secure housing
Are comfortable maintaining strong filtration
Want a true centerpiece oddball species

This is not an appropriate fish for a typical community aquarium.

📦 Live Fish Shipping

West African Lungfish may be shipped via UPS Next Day Air or approved airline cargo, depending on the size of the fish, destination, weather conditions, and current shipping eligibility.

Shipping is not included in the listed fish price unless specifically stated otherwise.

Please review our current:

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before placing an order.

🛡️ Important Buyer Information

Please research this species thoroughly before purchasing.

West African Lungfish can become very large, possess powerful jaws, require permanent access to atmospheric air, and are generally best housed alone.

Buyers are responsible for providing:

Proper aquarium size
Secure aquarium covering
Appropriate filtration
Safe water conditions
Suitable diet
Long-term housing
Any permits or legal requirements applicable to their location

Individual fish may vary naturally in coloration, pattern, body shape, behavior, and appearance.

✨ Why Keep a West African Lungfish?

Few freshwater aquarium fish combine:

Prehistoric appearance
Atmospheric air breathing
Aestivation ability
Large adult size
Remarkable resilience
Unusual behavior

quite like the West African Lungfish.

For the properly prepared aquarist, Protopterus annectens is one of the most fascinating primitive freshwater fish available in the aquarium hobby.