Protopterus aethiopicus congicus

6. July 2007

Freshly arrived: Marbled lungfishes (Protopterus aethiopicus) rank among the genuine survival artists. For respiration they are dependent on atmospheric air, if one refuses them the admission to the surface, they can drown in the water (aquarium). The air breathing allows them, however, a nearly amphibious way of life. So they are able to withstand desiccation on floodplains by aestivating in cocoons. Contrary to some other lung fish species the marbled lungfish is quite remarkably colored and at least as young individuals well suitable for the maintenance in aquaria.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Kongo, Congo River
Name Protopterus aethiopicus Zaire