HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishSouth American lungfish South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) Scientific name: Lepidosiren paradoxa Fitzinger, 1837 The South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa) is a freshwater fish of the family Lepidosirenidae that grows to about 120 cm (47 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 475 L (125 US gal) and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: South America, Amazon, Paraguay and lower Paran? River basins. South American lungfish care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentAggressiveCommunity tankNot suitableAdult size120 cm (47 in)Minimum tank475 L (125 US gal)Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)DietOmnivore. Accepts live foods. BiologyPrefers stagnant waters where there is little current. Juveniles feed on larval insects and snails. Adults are omnivorous and feed on aquatic vertebrates, invertebrates such as snails, clams and shrimp, and algae. Can survive low oxygen levels in its habitat by means of its very reduced branchial apparatus. It possesses two lungs without bronchial tubes. During the dry period, this species burrows into the mud, to a depth of about 30-50 cm, and seals off the entrance with clay, leaving out 2-3 holes for aeration. It reduces its metabolism during this period of hibernation. The fish are obligate air-breathers and will drown if denied access to the surface. During the rainy season, reproduction begins. The parents gather vegetal debris in a burrow to create a nest. During reproduction, the males guard the young. The males can increase the oxygen level in the burrow because during breading season the pelvic fins develop highly vasculSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameLepidosiren paradoxaFamilyLepidosirenidae (Aestivating lungfishes)OrderLepidosireniformes (South American and African Lungfishes)ClassSarcopterygii (Lobe-finned fishes)Maximum length125EnvironmentFreshwater; demersalClimateSubtropicalDistributionSouth America: Amazon, Paraguay and lower Paran? River basins.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheriesResilienceVery Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Assuming tmax > 30) More other freshwater fishLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaEuropean brook lampreyLampetra planeriSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026