 |
| Lungfish |
Lungfish | Interesting facts about fish live out of water
If you are interested in amazing facts about animals then you must read about lungfish fish which is also known as salamander fish. Apart from this, two lungs and gills are found in this fish which means that this fish can survive on both land and water.
When this fish is on land, it breathes with its lungs. When this fish is under water, it uses its gills. When the fish feels threatened, it forms a layer of mucus and shrinks into a cocoon. The fish can survive for about a year inside the cocoon.
In West Africa, this fish hibernates at the bottom of the sea and can live up to 5 years breathing only with its gills. Lungfish fish can survive for several months on land and are even able to survive for up to a year.
The fins of this fish are quite unique and most of their pelvic fins look somewhat like spaghetti. Some species of lungfish look like eel fish. Over time, these fish have adapted their characteristics and for this reason, lungfish are sometimes called living fossils. Let's know about the life of this unique fish,
Where Are Lungfish Found
There are now 6 species of lungfish in the world and they are known as Queensland lungfish, South American lungfish, marbled lungfish, gilded lungfish, West African lungfish and spotted lungfish. Lungfish live in freshwater in tropical regions around the world.
The South American lungfish lives in the swamps and slow-flowing waters of Paraguay, the Amazon. Apart from this, marbled lungfish, gilded lungfish, West-African lungfish and spotted lungfish are all found in river valleys and backwaters in Africa.
The African species and South American species of lungfish bury themselves in mud to hibernate during dormant periods. A now extinct species called Gnathorhizidae had similar burrowing practices in ancient times.
Lungfish fish is mostly served as food and many people living in Africa especially Luos consume this fish regularly. Lungfish fish are able to survive on both land and water.
Because this fish has lungs and external gills to breathe. West African lungfish fish has 3 external gills and 2 lungs. Australian lungfish fish species can breathe with their lungs without the need of air from their lungs.
Scientific Name Of Lungfish
The scientific name of lungfish fish is Dipnoi and lungfish are freshwater fish that still retain their adaptations. Lungfish fish are similar to amphibians in nature as this fish can survive on both land and water.
Lungfish fish belongs to the Sarcopterygii class of the animal kingdom and this fish comes under the superclass Osteichthyes. Apart from this, the phylum of lungfish fish is Chordata. Lungfish fish coming under the Sarcopterygii class have bones and are also known as lobe-finned fish.
Habitat Of Lungfish
The main habitat of lungfish fish is streams, rivers and lakes. In times of crisis, this fish makes its own habitat to survive for months and even years.
This habitat is made up of the mucus of these fish which they use as a cocoon to provide shelter for about 5 years when needed. Apart from this, this fish is known to live in groups in rivers, waterfalls and other wetlands.
What Do Lungfish Look Like
Lungfish are cylindrical in appearance and covered with scales. This fish is not very attractive in appearance and it is mostly white and brown in color. The structure of lungfish is like any other fish species. In place of organs, lungfish fish have their pectoral and pelvic fins which vary among their different species.
Marble lungfish fish have a thin tail and are longer than their body. Apart from this, this fish has pectoral and pelvic fins which are quite long and very thin which almost looks like spaghetti. South American lungfish species have thread-like pectoral fins and the pelvic fins thicken slightly towards their tips.
The gilded lungfish has a pattern of dark spots along the light brown belly. The lungfish found in West Africa has pectoral fins with basal fringes and pelvic fins that are twice as large as their heads. Apart from this, the body of this West African species is also elongated like an eel fish with a long snout. Read- Cowbird | Brood Parasitism Interesting Facts About Bird
%20(1)%20(1).jpg "Lungfish | Interesting facts about fish live out of water") |
| Lungfish |
Size Of Lungfish
Different species of lungfish vary in size. The spotted lungfish is the smallest and is about 17 inches long. The African lungfish is the largest and is 84 inches long which is as long as a giraffe's neck.
The lungfish species found in Australia are not very large in size and weigh up to 10 kg. The marbled lungfish and the West African lungfish are large in size and can weigh up to 18 kg.
What Do Lungfish Eat
Lungfish eat small fish, other animals and sometimes their own species. Lungfish are omnivores and eat other animals as well as plants present on the bottom of the water.
Lungfish live in freshwater where there are not many larger creatures, making the lungfish an apex predator. African lungfish eat tadpoles, insects, and other water animals.
How Lungfish Breed
These fish get along well in pairs and after laying eggs there is mostly a long courtship. The Australian lungfish lay eggs on aquatic plants and the female African lungfish lays eggs in a weedy area. After the eggs hatch, the male fish guards the eggs for about 2 months.
The Australian lungfish does not incubate its eggs, nor does it guard them. After laying them, the eggs hatch in 3 to 4 weeks and tadpole-like creatures emerge that grow up to become the Australian lungfish.
There are 3 stages of courtship for the Australian species of lungfish. The first stage of courtship involves searching for ideal breeding sites as a pair circles together and makes their mating sounds.
In addition, South American lungfish have developed reproductive appendages that appear feathery and are actually a modified version of their pelvic fins.
How Long Do Lungfish Live
Lungfish are long-lived and can survive for about 1 year without water and about 3 years without food. Some species of lungfish can live up to 100 years but the lifespan of an Australian lungfish is about 20 to 25 years.
How Fast Can Lungfish Swim
The speed of freshwater fish is about 11 kilometers per hour. But the exact speed of lungfish is not known but it is believed to be around this. Read- Indian Paradise Flycatcher Interesting Facts With Picture
 |
| Lungfish |
How Do Lungfish Communicate
These fish can hear different types of sounds for communication and along with this, they also use their swim bladder to create vibrations to communicate with each other. Lungfish are no exception and do the same for communication.
How Many Lungfish Are There In The World
Today there are 6 species of lungfish living in the world but the exact number of each of these species is not known. Different species of lungfish are at different stages of conservation.
The Australian lungfish is classified as endangered and the state government of Queensland has built a dam to protect these fish from extinction. Also, a special permit is required to catch this fish. The lungfish found in Africa is placed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as their conservation status.
Behavior Of Lungfish
Lungfish are predators as they are the largest fish in most freshwater lakes or rivers. Despite this, lungfish are not very aggressive in nature but they attack any fish they think they can eat. Sometimes lungfish are attacked by larger fish but this is rare.
Lungfish require huge aquariums to move around freely and African lungfish are sold as household pets. If provided with the right care, they can be safe for the home environment.
Lungfish Facts For Kids
1. What are some interesting facts about lungfish?
Lungfish have survived for a long time without any changes. Lungfish are sometimes nicknamed living fossils. In addition, lungfish living in West Africa have remarkable adaptations that help them survive. Lungfish living in West Africa have a primitive lung and the ability to survive in a state of hibernation which is similar to hibernation.
2. Why are lungfish special?
Lungfish, which live in Africa and South America, have evolved to breathe air to survive drought and can survive being buried in mud for months. Lungfish breathe air through vents in their cocoons.
3. How long do lungfish live?
Lungfish can live up to 20-25 years. The Shedd Aquarium's Australian lungfish called Granddad lived to be over 80 years old.
4. What is the sleep of lungfish called?
During hot and dry periods the fish go through a state of deep inactivity known as aestivation and it is similar to hibernation but it occurs during the summer time when their aquatic habitats dry up.
5. What are the benefits of lung fish?
Some people in the world believe that eating this fish boosts the immune system.
6. Can a lungfish survive without water?
If the question is can a lungfish survive without water then the answer is yes, lungfish species can survive without water for many months. African lungfish do this by burrowing into mud and creating mucus cocoons to protect themselves and be able to breathe air. Additionally, these fish can essentially live up to 4 years during the dry season by slowing down their metabolism and optimizing their waste production.
7. How fast are lungfish?
The average speed of a freshwater fish is about 11 kilometers per hour. But the exact speed of lungfish is not known but it is believed to be around this.
8. Does lungfish taste good?
Lungfish is a food fish but this varies depending on the exact community. Some people recognize lungfish as a delicacy and others dislike its taste.
9. What do lungfish eat?
African lungfish are omnivorous fish and eat a wide variety of diet including frogs, fish and mollusks as well as tree roots.
10. How old is the oldest lungfish?
The fish, named Methuselah, is the world's oldest aquarium fish, and new DNA analysis estimates Methuselah to be around 93 years old.